MEADVILLE – Expect a standing room only crowd Friday night in Meadville’s Louie Mullins Memorial Stadium, as a clash between two of Southwest Mississippi’s top teams takes place between Class 3A number-one Franklin County and Class 4A powerhouse McComb.

Both teams are coming off a pair of shutout victories on the road last week. The FC Bulldogs beat Hazlehurst 29-0, while McComb shocked South Pike 6-0.

“McComb is a good team and one of the better 4A clubs in the state,” said Bulldog head coach Grady McCluskey. “They are big and fast.”

The Tigers are led by junior standout defensive end/linebacker Dontrell Sargent, and senior cornerback/kick returner Bobby Felder, who accounted for nine picks last season.

McComb lost to Picayune last season in the second round of the Class 4A playoffs. The Tigers, coached by Randy Martin and assisted by former Franklin County head coach Michael Goff have several juniors and seniors back from last season’s team.

Goff, a Franklin County native, served as head football coach of the Bulldogs for over 20 years. He stepped down from his post at FC in 2001.

“They (McComb) are always strong every year,” added McCluskey. “They have some good coaches and players, everyone around here knows coach Goff too and his history here. It’s going to be a good game.”

In last week’s victory over Hazlehurst, McCluskey watched his defensive crew limit the Indians to 47 yards of total offense. 6 foot, 6 inch, 300-pound senior defensive lineman Bo Tillman accounted for seven tackles and three sacks against the Indians, while his cousin, in senior DE Josh Tillman made six stops and forced two fumbles, as well and also made a sack.

“We (the defense) stepped up last week,” said Josh Tillman, an Ole Miss commit. “We’ve got to keep it up the rest of the season.”

Offensively the Bulldogs were led last week by junior fullback Jordan Hunt with two touchdown runs. Hunt carried the ball five times for 27 yards and made two catches for 23 yards. Junior tailback Alex Smith accounted for 52 yards on six carries, and also scored a touchdown.

JEFFERSON COUNTY TO HOST PORT GIBSON

After a historic 30-27 victory over the Natchez Bulldogs last week, the Jefferson County Tigers (1-0) play host to Port Gibson for Highway 61 battle of bragging rights.

The Tigers overcame a 19-6 halftime deficit to rally past Natchez. Quarterback Percy Turner led the Tigers rally, as a dual-threat runner/passer.

“Beating Natchez was big,” said Jefferson County head coach James Herrington. “We’ve got to take one game at a time.”

Herrington and the Tigers will try to improve to 2-0 for the first time since 2003 against the Blue Wave.