FAYETTE — It’s been several years since a football game between Franklin County and Jefferson County had as much riding on the outcome as Friday night’s Region 7-3A battle did.

The winner would finish second behind top-ranked and region champion Tylertown and host a first-round Class 3A South State Playoff game next Friday night. The loser, on the other hand, would have to go on the road as the region’s No. 3 seed.

Thanks to three safeties, including two by Tevin Thomas, Franklin County defeated Jefferson County 14-0 in what Bulldogs head coach Trent Hammond called the hardest play-calling game he’s ever been through.

“Our defense played extremely well. Our defense gave up a total of 11 yards,” Hammond said. “When you give up 11 yards, you’ve got a good chance to win.”

And it was not only the defense that came through for Franklin County (8-3, 4-1), but it was a bold coaching decision as well. Instead of receiving the ball to start the second half, the Bulldogs decided to kick the ball to the Tigers. It turned out to be the right move

Thomas recorded both of his safeties in the second half to give the Bulldogs the 14-0 lead. Frank Hunt, who was everywhere on the field on defense and special teams, recorded a safety just 16 seconds into the game.

Hunt had nine tackles, the safety, one fumble recovery and he blocked a punt. Bobby O’Quinn blocked a punt and Alec Fleming recovered both blocked punts.

The Bulldogs other eight points came from a Darnell Ford 5-yard touchdown run and Milton Griffin’s two-point conversion run with 4 seconds to go until halftime. Ford finished with 68 yards rushing on 15 carries.

“Everything became a battle. Even with a clean football, when you picked it up, it was muddy,” Hammond said. “We probably fumbled 10 times. They probably fumbled 10 times.”

Actually, Franklin County recovered two of its seven fumbles while Jefferson County (4-6, 3-2) recovered one of its four fumbles. The Tigers were held to just three first downs.