COLLINS — Franklin County not only got a big game from junior running back Jimmy Barnes, but also from its special teams and defense.

Milton Griffin returned a punt for a touchdown and Jeramany Washington had a big interception return for a touchdown as the Bulldogs upset Collins 27-6 Friday night in the first round of the MHSAA Class 3A South State Playoffs.

Franklin County struggled to a 4-7 regular season and a No. 3 seed in Region 7-3A, but a clean slate was just what the Bulldogs needed.

“We played for four quarters, and the defense played lights out. We didn’t give them too many turnovers or penalties. It was a good win,” Franklin County head coach Ricky O’Quinn said.

The Bulldogs forced an early punt and Griffin fielded it at his own 15-yard line. From there, it was off to the races, and no one on the Tigers’ punt coverage team was going to catch him. The end result was an 85-yard return for a touchdown with 10:01 to go in the first quarter. Coleman Graves added the extra point to give Franklin County a 7-0 lead.

Collins’ Brian Luckett connected with Martez King on a 65-yard touchdown pass to make the score 7-6. However, Billy Norman blocked the extra point to preserve the Bulldogs’ lead.

Jimmy Barnes scored on a 4-yard run with 44 seconds to go in the first quarter for a 14-6 Franklin County lead. Early on in the second quarter, Luckett threw one of his four interceptions to Washington, who returned it 22 yards for a touchdown at the 11:51 mark to give the Bulldogs a 21-6 lead.

Luckett completed 8 of 19 passes for 118 yards. He was also picked off by Jadarius Davis, Fred Coleman and James Green.

It doesn’t get any easier for Franklin County (5-7) as the Bulldogs play host to top-ranked Forest at 7 p.m. Friday.

“We’ve got our work cut out for us next week,” O’Quinn said.