By Jamie Wachter / executive sports editor
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.
