FAIRMONT — The Fairmont Golden Tornadoes rallied with a late 21-yard touchdown pass from Demetrius Washington to Doug Blue Friday to advance to the second round of the state playoffs by defeating Franklinton 22-14.

Franklinton's defense held the Golden Tornadoes to a three-and-out late in the fourth, but Fairmont's defense answered right back as they forced a punt and would have started in Red Rams territory, but a personal foul on the return negated the large gain and the team was forced to start at their own 18-yard line.

Facing a third-and-five, Tevin McCallister ran for 14 yards, and a big run by Tyreke Addison plus a late hit penalty moved the ball into Red Rams territory. Facing a second-and-three, Fairmont was split on the sidelines on what to call next. Fairmont head coach Barry Leonard wanted to play conservatively, but offensive coordinator Clay Jernigan had bigger ideas.

"We were going to just go for the first down," Leonard, "but coach Jernigan wanted to go for the touchdown and the play worked,"

McCallister clinched the win with a 73-yard interception with only two seconds left in the game.

"This was a big win versus a very good team," Leonard said after the game.

The Red Rams got on the scoreboard first as Franklinton started the drive deep in Fairmont territory. Reggie Williams got the majority of the carries on the drive as he ran for 31 yards to put the ball at the one-yard line, and Jamen Allen ran the quarterback sneak in for the score. Matt White's exta point kick made it 7-0 after the first quarter.

After holding the Red Rams on a following drive, Golden Tornadoes' Jetter Lewis broke through and blocked the punt giving his team the ball at the Franklinton 18-yard line.

Fairmont moved the ball down to the three-yard line, but facing a fourth-and-goal the Red Rams defense came up big by sacking Washington.

Following another Franklinton three-and-out, Washington hit Tyriq Savannah on a third-and-10 for a 28-yard touchdown pass. Washington connected with Doug Govan for the two-point conversion, and the Golden Tornadoes took their first lead of the night at 8-7 going into halftime.

Leonard felt his defense was the key to getting that lead and preserving it through the second half.

"Our defense held in key situations. We got into the red zone on offense two times but didn't manage to score any points. We need to capitalize in those key situations."

On Fairmont's first possession coming out of intermission, facing a third-and-14 Lonnie Nealy broke loose for a 28-yard gain. McCallister then ran for 26 yards, giving Fairmont a first-and-goal at the nine yard line. Washington, however, fumbled and the Red Rams recovered deep in their own territory.

Franklinton managed three first downs and moved into Fairmont territory, but the Golden Tornadoes held strong as they stopped the Red Rams on a fourth-and-eight.

Fairmont mounted a nine-play scoring drive, including an 18-yard run by Addison and a Nealy 20-yard run. Addison then took it in from 10 yards out with just under a minute left in the third quarter. The two-point conversion pass failed and Fairmont's lead held at 14-7 lead.

The Red Rams (5-7) quickly answered with a 10-play drive of their own, including a big 25-yard run by Dietrick Mitchell, which gave Franklinton a first-and-goal at the six. Williams then finished it off with a two-yard score, and with the White kick tied the score at 14 with eight minutes left in the game.

Fairmont (6-6) will host a second-round game next Friday against either Jordan Matthews or Northwest Halifax.