PORT GIBSON &045; For the first time since 1989, Port Gibson is in the playoffs.

The Port Gibson Blue Waves proved themselves by having a convincing 32-13 victory over Jefferson County Friday night to clinch the No. 3 spot out of Region 7-3A. After last week’s nail-biting loss to North Pike, the Blue Waves stepped up with their agressive offense and unstoppable defense.

Port Gibson head coach Harry Brown II and his players were estatic and danced in excitement knowing after their victory. The coach said he felt like a &uot;thousand pounds was lifted off his shoulders.&uot;

Coach Brown also feels that his boys will have a good chance in the playoffs with their offensive weapons.

Tigers head coach Jeffrey Harness said his boys played OK but they should have played more aggressive throughout the game.

The Tigers, however, are in after North Pike beat Amite County, 26-16. The Tigers will enter as the No. 4 seed and play at Tylertown.

With the Tigers trying to push their offense with passing, it wasn’t enough to pull out a win. Running back Jimmy Shorter for the Tigers immediately came out in the first quarter scoring a 20-yard touchdown putting Jefferson County in the lead 7-0.

Port Gibson’s Tobias Shanks, Preston Odom and quarterback Eric Hall stepped up by scoring touchdowns to advance themselves into the playoffs.

Odom, a senior, scored a 35-yard touchdown with 9:15 left in the second quarter showing the Tigers that Port Gibson wouldn’t bow down without a fight to cut the lead to 7-6.

Hall answered his teammate when he scored a touchdown from 3 yards out with 5:57 left in the second to give the Blues Waves a 14-7 lead at halftime.

Odom wasn’t finished with the Tigers as he scored another 15-yard touchdown starting the third quarter.

Jefferson County’s Anthony Chambliss and Shorter wouldn’t quit rushing and receiving yard after yard trying to put pressure on the Blue Waves.

Shorter, dominating in rushing yards, just didn’t have the support of his teammates. With many incomplete passes and penalties, the Tigers couldn’t find their timing.

But just when things looked a little more dim in the fourth quarter for the Tigers, Shanks said goodbye to the Tigers and hello to the playoffs intercepting a pass in the Tigers zone running for a 99-yard touchdown.

Franklin 35, Wilkinson 14

MEADVILLE &045; For Franklin County, it was business as usual as the Bulldogs beat Wilkinson County 35-14.

The Bulldogs are 9-1 overall and 5-1 in Region 7-3A play. Wilkinson County is 6-4 and 2-4 in region.

The Bulldogs controlled the game from start to finish, scoring on an 80-yard slant route to open the game and opening up a big halftime lead.

&uot;We did a good job overall,&uot; Franklin County head coach Anthony Hart. &uot;I’m proud of the way we’ve been playing. I just hope that continues into the playoffs.&uot;

Wilkinson County was out of the game early, though the Wildcats did manage a touchdown on the final play of the game to make the final score look more respectable.

Franklin County was knocked out of the first round of last year’s playoffs, something Hart isn’t eager to repeat. With a No. 2 seed and a ton of momentum heading into this year’s postseason, the Bulldogs have a chance to go a long way.

Hart said his team has improved since the beginning of the season.

&uot;I think we’re throwing the ball a lot better,&uot; Hart said.