HAZLEHURST — Wilkinson County High School is now in control of its own destiny in MHSAA Region 7-3A after the Wildcats held on for a 26-20 victory over the Hazlehurst High School Indians Friday night.

For the first time in several weeks, Wilkinson County failed to get 300 yards of total offense. The Wildcats were close, though, with 295 yards – most of them through the air. Freddie Byrd III completed 19 of 32 passes for 241 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Treveon Miles had five catches for 72 yards and one receiving touchdown. He also had an interception return for a touchdown. Terrell Coleman Jr. was held in check by Hazlehurst’s defense as he had 13 carries for 43 yards to go with two catches for nine yards and one touchdown.

Jaquan Tickles led the Wildcats’ defense with 10 tackles. Demonta Cotton had eight tackles and one fumble recovery that was returned for a touchdown. Khalil Ford had nine tackles and two forced fumbles.

Wilkinson County led 20-6 at halftime and 26-6 late in the third quarter before Hazlehurst (1-7, 1-1) tried to rally late, only to come up short.

But once again, there was that one thing that Wildcats head coach Kenneth Brown was not happy with – penalties. They were flagged 12 times for 90 yards.

Wilkinson County (7-1, 3-0) hosts Port Gibson High School for senior night with a golden opportunity to wrap up the Region 7-3A championship.

Franklin County 7, Port Gibson 6
PORT GIBSON — Darion Jackson picked off a D’arius Wilson pass and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown as the Franklin County High School Bulldogs finally picked up their first win of the season with a 7-6 win over the Port Gibson High School Blue Waves in an MHSAA Region 7-3A game Friday night.

Port Gibson had a nearly three-to-one advantage over Franklin County in total yards, 264 to 94, but Jackson’s pick-six at the 6:56 mark of the second quarter and untimely penalties hurt the Blue Waves for much of the game.

The Blue Waves finally broke through when Wilson threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Radarius Turner with 4:04 left in the third quarter, but the two-point conversion run was no good.

Clay Wright had 16 carries for 52 yards and led the Bulldogs’ defense with 19 tackles.

Franklin County (1-8, 1-2) has a bye next week before hosting Jefferson County High School on Friday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m.

Port Gibson (1-6, 0-2) plays at Wilkinson County High School Friday at 7 p.m.