Bulldogs' football celebrates 2022 successes during gathering

Franklin County High School’s varsity football team celebrated its milestones from the 2022 gridiron campaign with a banquet and awards program held on Monday, Dec. 12 at Hopewell Baptist Church in Bude.

Head Football Coach B.J. Smithhart said FCHS had its first winning season since 2015 — thanks in large part to the talent that was on the Bulldogs’ roster.

The 6-5 Dawgs saw wins over West Lincoln, 41-7, on Aug. 26; Wesson, 19-13, on Sept. 2; Richland, 19-7, on Sept. 16; Amite County, 34-23, on Sept. 23; Wilkinson County, 26-6, on Oct. 21; and Bogue Chitto, 42-3, on Oct. 27.

FC fell to North Pike, 36-16, on Sept. 9; to Tylertown, 36-14, on Sept. 30; to Jefferson County, 30-28, on Oct. 7; and to Port Gibson, 28-14, on Oct. 14.

The Bulldogs made their way into the Class 3A post-season as the No. 4 seed from District 7 and dropped a 48-6 decision on the road Friday, Nov. 4 to Jefferson Davis County.

“I hope this winning record will help set the tempo for our program to reach its potential for years to come,” Smithhart said.

“We have been blessed with a group of very athletic and committed young men who bought in to what we were trying to accomplish and our desire is to keep this going.”

Sixteen members of the football team were selected for Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 3A District 7 regional recognition and were presented with plaques.

“These recognitions mean a little more because they were chosen by coaches from the district and to have 16 players honored said a lot about what others thought about our program during the season,” Smithhart continued.

Eight players were selected as first-team all-district choices — Jaquez Anderson, Reshon Baker, Remontae Cameron, Keyundre Felton, Donovan Moore, Tyrese O’Neal, Quez Rancifer and Josh Smith.

Four FC players were named as second-team all-district squad members — Jay Malone, Ja’Quavious Norman, Larry Pernell and Xavier Rankin.

And four Bulldogs made the list of all-district players as honorable mention choices — Jailon Brown, Jaiden Hunt, Peyton Touchstone and Cadarrius Young.

Some special awards presented during the program included recognition for Zorian O’Quinn, who served as long snapper; kicker Dallas Broome earned a nod for his special teams play; and Nic Perryman was honored with the team’s “Heart of a Champion” designation.

During the program, Smithhart also praised his coaching staff — Michael Ward, John Costilow, Brad Calcote, Kent King and Rickey Van O’Quinn.

“There’s not enough words to say how thankful I am to work alongside these coaches who put so much time and effort into making this program something special,” Smithhart went on to say.

He also thanked members of the sideline training staff — Allison Brown, DeAsia Buie and Kiera Jackson — along with the football booster club, families, community and all those who contributed to the success of the program in 2022.