Blountstown rolls over Franklin County (See Scores)

EASTPOINT —Blountstown didn’t look past Franklin County Friday night on its first visit to the new stadium in Eastpoint, shutting out the Seahawks 41-0.

So now the Tigers are staring at a matchup against arch-rival Liberty County next weekend to decide the District 2-1A champion.

“My fear was we’d look past tonight’s game,” Tigers coach Greg Jordan said. “Our kids came in and did what they had to do. They played well enough.”

With 327 yards of offense, 224 of it on the ground, the Tigers established themselves early when they snuffed out the Seahawks’ promising opening drive.

After recovering a bobbled Seahawk snap at the Blountstown 30, Tigers’ junior quarterback P.J. Buggs hooked up with senior wide receiver Leon Broxton midway in the first quarter for a 77-yard touchdown, the first of their two TD connections. The second, a 12-yard pass with 1:52 left in the game, put the finishing touches on the win.

In between, the Tigers scored four rushing touchdowns, beginning with an 8-yard run by junior Alexander Garrett with three minutes left in the first quarter. Garrett also kicked three of four extra points.

On the opening play of the second quarter, Princeton Grant ran in from 16 yards. Grant led all rushers with 13 carries for 95 yards.

Senior Darren Huff, who had eight rushes for 59 yards, scored from the 16 with 9:23 left in the half.

The Seahawks held the Tigers scoreless in the third quarter, but Buggs added a 1-yard rushing touchdown with 10:11 left in the game.

The Tigers (7-1, 4-0) limited the Seahawks (3-5, 1-3) to 15 total yards, 30 in the air and minus-15 on the ground.

Now they can safely look forward to next week’s critical home game.

“It’s an opportunity our kids are looking forward to,” Jordan said. “It’s going to be a barnburner.”