After waiting for nearly a week to play the championship game of the Franklin/Southampton Little League Football due to wet field conditions, the Franklin Mustangs and Boykins Bulldogs battled for bragging rights Tuesday night at Armory Field.

The large crowd that came to see the game was treated to a good football game that was hard hitting and well played.

Franklin jumped out to a 7-0 lead at the end of the first quarter when LaQuadric Pittman scored on a run over right tackle. Adam Grant connected with Michael Edwards on a short pass for the extra point. Pittman’s scoring run was setup by Adam Grant’s two big plays in the drive. Grant, running behind good blocking first went around the right end for 35 yards and on the next play, picked up 15 more to give the Mustangs a first and goal to go at the 6 yard line. Pittman would score two plays later from two yards out.

Boykins answered back with a long drive consuming much of the second quarter. On second and goal from the 5, Darius Artis scored on a run around the right end. The Mustang defense then stopped the extra-point attempt leaving the score at 7-6 in favor of Franklin.

Following a short kick-off, the Mustang offense struck quickly. Adam Grant’s screen pass to LaQuadric Pittman was good for a 20 yard gain. The next play saw Grant running the option play to the right corner and appeared to be tackled. Grant somehow escaped and made a perfect pitch to tailback Christian Folstrom who broke free for a 36 yard touchdown run to put Franklin on top 13-6 before halftime.

Boykins wasted no time answering back in the second half. Darius Artis returned the opening kick-off of the second half for a 62 yard touchdown. The extra-point attempt failed and Franklin would cling to a 13-12 lead.

Boykins maintained control of the football for nearly the entire second half but was unable to get into the endzone. The Franklin defense rose to the occasion several times and intercepted three passes to thwart drives that appeared to be destined to end in a Bulldog score. Boykins’ final drive was stopped at the 6 yard-line with 34 seconds left in the game, turning the ball over on downs to Franklin. With the game in hand, Franklin had to snap the ball, down it and let the celebration begin.

After the game Franklin head coach Rob Carter spoke of the total effort that won the game. “Every kid played his heart out and executed a well formulated game plan. The coaches had scouted Boykins and had the players prepared to be successful. This is a very proud moment for the Mustang family.”