FRANKLIN — Macon County’s back in the hunt.

A struggling offense up to this point of the season came alive Friday. The Bulldogs rushed for 223 yards and Iquan Deed passed for 136 as they held on for a 30-24 win at Heard County.

“This was big,” said coach Henry Lester. “This gives them just a little bit of confidence. We executed several of the things we’ve been working on all year, and we played a lot better than we had been playing. And we made the plays when we needed to.”

The Bulldogs (3-4, 3-2 in 5-AA) are now alone in third place in the region with a big game at home on Friday against undefeated Pike County (6-0, 4-0).

Despite the offensive outburst, Macon County did have three turnovers, including two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns.

The first helped give Heard (3-3, 2-2) an 8-6 lead. The other, a 98-yard return from Santez Emory pulled the Braves to within 24-21.

Macon County junior Brantley Pate already recovered a fumble in the game when he intercepted a Heard pass. It led to the clinching touchdown when Deed hooked up with James Keen for a 32-yard score.

“(Deed) made some good decisions ... and he kept other plays alive,” said Lester. “When he threw the ball downfield, he made some good throws and he bailed us out of a couple of third and longs.”

Deed also led the Bulldogs in rushing with 84 yards on 10 attempts, including a 19-yard run that put them ahead 18-14 in the third quarter; Demison McKenzie had 82 yards on nine carries and a 11-yard touchdown in the fourth.

The Bulldog defense held the Braves to 170 yards of offense, and Lester said they’ll need a repeat performance to slow down Pike, which is averaging better than 35 points a game.

“They’re probably the best job of coaching in the region without a doubt,” he said. “They’re not a big team, a strong team or a fast team, but the play well together. We’ve got to play responsibility football and be where we’re supposed to — controlling the gaps and don’t let them have big plays downfield.”