NATCHEZ — Natchez High saw its opportunity for an upset disappear underneath a flurry of yellow flags Friday night.

The Bulldogs led 19-0 over Franklin County in the third quarter, but penalties and mistakes were their downfall and helped Franklin County come back for a 21-19 win.

Natchez High was penalized 24 times for 191 yards, with 18 of those penalties taking place in the second half.

Throw in three second half turnovers, and its easy to see why the Bulldogs from Franklin County were able to walk out of Natchez with a victory.

“It’s kind of tough to be second and 15 or second and 20 all the time,” Natchez coach Lance Reed said. “We don’t have any plays to get us out of those situations.”

Despite the penalty advantage, Franklin County coach Trent Hammond said his team needed no favors coming back in the game.

“The officials didn’t decide this game,” Hammond said. “The kids on the field decided it. They bowed their necks and came out in the second half an played like they were supposed to.”

Natchez got a quick strike to open the game when quarterback Javon Washington found Rico Richardson streaking down the sidelines for a 41-yard touchdown pass on Natchez’s first play from scrimmage.

Natchez had a couple of chances to extend the lead in the first half, driving inside the Franklin County 20-yard line on their next two drives, but turned it over on downs both times.

After not taking advantage of great field position on those two drives, Natchez got a big break right at the end of the half to extend its lead.

As time expired in the first half, Washington launched a ball into the end zone which was tipped in the air and caught by Richardson to put Natchez up 13-0 at halftime.

Natchez wasn’t done yet. Franklin County kicked off to the Bulldogs to begin the second half and Richardson returned it 77 yards for another touchdown to make it 19-0 after the two-point conversion failed.

However, Franklin County gave an indication on how the remainder of the game would be on its next drive.

The Bulldogs drove the ball 50 yards — all on the ground — and scored when quarterback Jamie Collins barreled in from 2-yards out.

Franklin County scored again five minutes later after Natchez failed on a fake punt attempt from midfield.

Franklin County wasted no time scoring, and Collins once again raced in the end zone, this time from 18-yards out.

Natchez made another crucial mistake on its next possession, as Richardson fumbled the ball to set up Franklin County at the Natchez 30-yard line.

Franklin County needed just six plays to find paydirt, as Collins scored his third touchdown of the night, this one on a 12-yard scamper on fourth and four.

Collins finished the game with 98 yards rushing and two TDs.

“We played like we’re capable of playing in the second half,” Hammond said. “It wasn’t so much about making adjustments, it was more about fire and desire. We’ve got to play four quarters of football if we want to win. Tonight we just played two quarters.”

Natchez never was able to put a drive together in the fourth quarter because of the penalties, especially holding calls, which nullified several big plays.

The Bulldogs’ final chance at a win was snuffed out when Washington was intercepted by Edwards McGhee on the Natchez 40-yard line with 47 seconds left.

Washington fished the game 19-of-18 for 280 yards, with 221 of those coming in the first half, but had two second half interceptions to go along with his two first half touchdown passes.

However, the mood was one of disappointment after the game, and Reed took responsibility for the loss.

“As a coach I have to do a better job,” Reed said. “We’ve got to play disciplined football and play more consistently.”