Bulldogs blow away Tornadoes

Sports

Discussion

November 14, 2009

By Jamie Wachter / executive sports editor The Meridian Star Sat Nov 14, 2009, 12:58 AM CST

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia expected a physical challenge in the Class 3A second round Friday night from Franklin County.

It was the Bulldogs' speed, though, that caught the Tornadoes off-balance. That combination led to Franklin County advancing to the South State semifinals with a 20-7 win at Harpole Stadium. Franklin County improved to 10-3, while Philadelphia ended its season 11-2.

"They are what we thought they were," Philadelphia coach Teddy Dyess said. "The one difference was the two linebackers were faster than what the film showed.

"That's the best defense we've faced this year. They are really good and those two linebackers are very, very fast."

Those linebackers — Ladarrious and Frank Hunt — held Philadelphia senior running back Brandon Willis in check, and completely shut the Tornadoes down in the first half. Philly ran just 13 plays before half, gaining only 11 yards.

"People see us and think they can just run it at us, but credit to our defense, they just hold their own," Franklin County coach Trent Hammond said. "(The Hunts) can both run. We don't put anyone out there on defense that runs slower than a 4.9.

"(Frank Hunt) gets a lo of publicity because he's 210 pounds, but Ladarrious is the most physical kid I've been around. He will stick you."

It helped, too, that the Bulldogs' double wing offense kept churning out yards. Franklin County, utilizing a handful of backs around quarterback Edward McGhee, kept the Tornadoes' defense on its heels. The Bulldogs rushed for 133 of its 239 yards on the ground during the first half when it built a 13-0 lead.

"We couldn't keep our defense off the field," Dyess added. "And when the defense is constantly out there, it just gets beat on and worn down."

Following a three-and-out on its first possession, Franklin County's offense found its gear — slow and steady — on the second drive. Milking more than six minutes off the clock, the Bulldogs drove 63 yards on 14 plays to take the lead on a 6-yard scamper from Milton Griffin.

Franklin County then tacked on a second touchdown right before half when Darnell Ford powered in from 4 yards out with 22 second left. Ford rushed for a game-high 104 yards on 24 carries.

"We're a blue-collar team," Hammond said. "We just line up and play.

"We run, run, run and see what happens."

What happened was the Bulldogs kept pulling away midway through the third when they drove 45 yards following a Philadelphia fumble on the first drive. On fourth-and-6 from the Philly 28, McGhee completed his only pass after intermission when he hit Dehendret Collins behind the defense for a score.

Philly, though, battled back. On the ensuing possession, the Tornadoes marched into Franklin County territory for the first time. However, on a third-and-2, fullback Jeremy Morgan fumbled and the Bulldogs took over at their own 22.

Following a Ford fumble on the next snap, Philly went right to work as sophomore quarterback Lee Smith connected with Tyriq Patrick on a 21-yard touchdown pass. Smith completed 8-of-17 passes for 106 yards.

The Tornadoes couldn't get any closer, though, turning it over on downs on their next possession at the Bulldog 28 and then losing a fumble on their last drive, which reached the Franklin County 21.

Willis, who entered with 1,951 yards and 30 touchdowns rushing, was held to 50 yards on 18 carries.

Text Only

Sports

Rockets defused by Yellowjackets
Neshoba Central's Victoria Stewart got the inbound pass with 12 seconds. The Starkville defender pressed her toward the sideline, but Stewart would have none of it. The senior raced up the middle of the floor, studdered and headed right toward the basket. The senior jumped and layed the ball off of the backboard. The roar of the crowd told her what she needed to know - the shot went in and overtime loomed.

February 10, 2012
Area Roundup: KA girls keep rolling
February 10, 2012
Knights advance to title round
The West Lauderdale Lady Knights survived a scare against the Laurel Tornadoes beating them 54-51. The Lady Knights came back from a first half 13 point deficit to ultimately claim their spot in the 5-4A division title game. “I am so proud of our girls,” said Lady Knights coach Amy Fairchild. “This is by far the best game that we have ever had since I have been the WL coach here.”

February 10, 2012
Choctaw, SEL advance to title game
As expected, Choctaw Central and Southeast Lauderdale will meet tonight for the Division 5-3A Tournament girls’ championship.
But the old rivals advanced to the tourney finals in very different fashion here Thursday night.

February 10, 2012
Kemper survives Southeast Lauderdale in OT
Southeast Lauderdale’s boys were hoping to ride the momentum of one of their most impressive victories of the season.
Kemper County was simply looking to survive and advance. In the end, the Wildcats did so – barely.

February 10, 2012
All-American
Kemper County High School basketball standout Devonta Pollard made his desire to play in the McDonald’s All-American Game no secret – mentioning it as a goal on more than one occasion during the last couple of seasons.
Thursday afternoon, that goal became a reality.

February 10, 2012
Clarkdale downs Puckett at buzzer
Crystal Clay barely beat the final horn, but her shot in the lane carried Clarkdale to a 48-46 MHSAA Division 6-2A semifinal win over Puckett on Thursday.

February 10, 2012
Young Eagles expect some growing pains in 2012
The 2012 edition of the Meridian Community fast-pitch team will sport a multitude of new faces when it hits the field Friday for its season opener. The Eagles lost seven sophomores from last year as well as two returning freshmen.

February 9, 2012
Meridian splits with Southern Shreveport
The Meridian Community College Eagles won its second straight Miss-Lou Conference game by defeating Southern Shreveport by a final score of 68-66.

February 9, 2012
Back in the spotlight
SCOOBA – Sporting a current 12-game winning streak, the East Mississippi Community College men’s basketball team has re-entered the NJCAA Division I Top 20 tied for 19th nationally in this week’s poll. Head coach Mark White’s 15-2 EMCC Lions tipped off the current season ranked seventh nationally on the strength of back-to-back NJCAA National Tournament appearances in Hutchinson, Kan.

February 9, 2012
More Sports Headlines

Sports

Search Results

Discussion

Bulldogs blow away Tornadoes

Site Map

Contact Us