MEADVILLE — Alex Smith and Damien Burnett combined for over 200 rushing yards and three touchdowns as Franklin County rolled to a 38-7 win over Southeast Lauderdale Friday night in the first round of the Class 3A South State Playoffs.

Smith’s 35-yard touchdown run with 5:46 remaining in the first quarter set the tone for the rest of the game. Five of the Bulldogs’ six touchdowns were courtesy of their power running game.

Smith also scored on a 15-yard run late in the third quarter and finished with 104 yards on just nine carries to go with five tackles and one interception on defense. Burnett had 100 yards on nine carries, including a 29-yard touchdown run with one second left in the third quarter.

“We ran the ball really good. The offensive line did a good job blocking,” Franklin County head coach Trent Hammond said. “Hat’s off to our offensive line and our backs. We were able to run the traps and the powers.”

Jamie Collins didn’t have to throw the ball much in the game, but he had another outstanding game at defensive back with five tackles and two interceptions.

Bobby O’Quinn had a team-leading 15 tackles and one sack. Tevin Thomas was solid as well with seven tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery.

“They got after it,” Hammond said. “We kept them out of the end zone. They got us on a trick play. We forced some turnovers and got some good licks,” Hammond said.

James White led Southeast Lauderdale (4-6) with 74 yards rushing on 19 carries. Shelby Moseley was 6-of-19 passing for 52 yards.

Franklin County (10-1) will take on Region 6-3A champion Hazlehurst in the second round next Friday at 7 p.m.

Newton County 35, Jefferson County 12

DECATUR — All-State running back Floyd Graves scored three touchdowns, all in the first half, as the Region 5-1A champion Cougars had little problem defeating the Tigers Friday night in the first round of the Class 3A South State Playoffs.

Graves scored on touchdown runs of 7 and 16 yards in the first quarter and 4 yards in the second quarter. Aaron Scoggin was good on all three extra points, and just like that Newton County (10-1) was up 21-0.

Jefferson County (5-6), the No. 4 seed out of Region 7-3A, finally got on the board later in the second quarter on a 4-yard run by Jeffery Collins to trail 21-6 at halftime.

Just when it appeared the Tigers were on the verge of cutting into the lead even more in the fourth quarter, Gabe Loper intercepted a Collins pass and returned it 90 yards for a touchdown for a 28-6 lead.

Diason Martin scored on a 17-yard run for the Cougars to give them a 35-6 lead before Collins threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Darryl McGee.

Newton County will take on the winner of the Collins-Perry Central game in the second round.