Jimmy Lanier returned an interception for a touchdown and scored two touchdowns on offense to lead Billingsley to a 28-12 homecoming win over Francis Marion.

The Bears battled back from a 6-0 halftime deficit to dominate the second half, aided by a slew of Rams turnovers.

The game was scoreless until late in the second quarter, when Francis Marion scored a short rushing touchdown with just 52.6 seconds to go before the break.

The Bears would come back from halftime determined to not let the Rams spoil homecoming.

After Francis Marion went 3-and-out, Billingsley drove down the field with runs by Lanier and Carlos Caver. Lanier found the end zone from 7 yards out to tie things at 6-6.

The Rams would again struggle on offense. When Billingsley got the ball back, Lanier found the end zone again on a 62-yard run.

Francis Marion’s night kept getting tougher — two possessions later Lanier would intercept the Rams quarterback, returning the ball to the 18-yard-line. The turnover led to a 1-yard TD run by Caver. The score left things at 20-6.

On the Rams’ next drive, Lanier would again pick off Francis Marion’s quarterback. This time he returned the ball 30 yards for a touchdown.

Francis Marion would add a touchdown late to cap the score at 28-12.

Billingsley improves to 5-2 with the win and 4-2 in the region. More importantly, the win secures the Bears a spot in the playoffs.

The team hosts Central-Hayneville next week, before welcoming rival Verbena on Oct. 28.