Greene County earns first MHSAA football playoff win since 2019, gets Columbia next

RAYMOND — It's been a thought in the back of Greene County football coach Michael King's mind since it happened.

Four years ago was Greene County's last high school football playoff win on Nov. 8, 2019, over Vancleave.

Greene County (4-6) defeated Raymond 28-8 in the first round of MHSAA 4A playoffs on Friday. Greene County plays at Columbia (11-0) in the second round of the MHSAA 4A playoffs next Friday at 7 p.m. Greene County missed the playoffs in 2020 and 2021 and lost to 49-21 Columbia last season in the first round.

"It was one of the first things I thought about coming off the field," Greene County coach Michael King said. "The 2019 year, we won a first-round playoff game and got beat by Lawrence County in the second round. So it's really good to get out of the first round. ... So this is good for our kids, especially for our seniors who haven't experienced a second-round playoff game."

King felt no disadvantage with his team playing at Raymond (5-5).

"We knew that looking at their record and looking at our record on paper they were probably the favorites," King said. "We kind of played off that during the week we talked about that. But the regions are so far away, there was really no frame of reference as far as who they've played and who we've played. We played some 6A (schools) and stuff down on the coast that are pretty tough. So our non-division schedule is pretty brutal. So we thought that our style and their style matchup was might give us some advantages."

Greene County running back Keenan Franks scored a 6-yard rushing touchdown on the game's first drive and had the Cougars' second score with an 18-yard rushing touchdown. Franks produced 103 yards on the ground with two touchdowns.

"I tried to run the ball as hard as I could," Franks said.

King credited his team's defense, particularly the run defense with Raymond only attempting six passes.

"Hats off to our defense, who really stepped up and pitched a shutout in the second half," King said. "That's what I went in the locker room and congratulated our defense about in the end."

Tough opponents, losing players to injuries and suspensions hurt Greene County early in the year with people losing faith in the team, Franks said.

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"First, we had a lot of doubters and now this win is feeling good right now," Franks said smiling. "... Really proud of our boys because nobody believes in us."

Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion-Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: MHSAA football playoffs: Greene County tops Raymond