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Franklin County High School's Malik Wells defends while Makyilan Covington runs the ball during a play Wednesday at the team's practice. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Franklin County's Parker Marcengill and Ken Malone both jump for the ball Wednesday during a play at the team's practice. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Franklin County's Jamarlin Green, looks to throw the ball during a play Wednesday at the team's practice.

Franklin County’s head coach B.J. Smithhart talks to his team during practice. (File Photo | The Natchez Democrat)

Franklin County's Malik Wells tackles Tynese O'Neal Wednesday during practice. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

By TIM GUERCIO

The NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT

MEADVILLE — Head football coach B.J. Smithhart had his Franklin County High School Bulldogs in full pads and scrimmaging Wednesday afternoon on their field in Meadville.

“This is our third week of spring practice, and I think we’ve done real good, especially with a new offense,” Smithhart said.

Smithhart is the new head coach at Franklin County and will be coaching in his first year for the Bulldogs in the fall.

Smithhart comes to Franklin High by way of East Lincoln, only 20 minutes away.

His coaching staff returning this year is Josh Thibodeaux , Michael Ward and Steve Davis.

Smithhart and his coaching staff lost 11 seniors last year; seven of those seniors were starters.

“We lost our quarterback, Jaquan Brown, we lost our wide receiver Darian Jackson and we lost Wyatt Brumfield, who punted for us and averaged about 44 yards per punt,” Thibodeaux said. “He was good at putting the other team on the short end of the field.”

Losing a quarterback and receiver combination takes time to replace, coaches said.

“We are going to start Makylan Covington at quarterback,” Smithhart said. “He is a real good athlete and the more snaps he gets this spring the better he is going to be.”

Ward said he is keeping a close eye on this year’s young talent and last year’s starters.

“On offense, Tony Norman is our best guy at wide receiver,” Ward said. “Tyler Seals is a junior and will go both ways at tackle. Jeron Hunt is a senior and will be a second year starter and a third year player for us on the line.”

Smithhart said he wants to take it just one game at a time this year.

“We are going to take each game as it comes,” Smithhart said.

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