After three days of rain in Franklin, Tri-County coach Dan MacLean said the muddy field conditions plagued his team’s offense.

“The field was real soft and sloppy,’’ MacLean said. “We couldn’t really run, there was no cut, and you could see the kids falling down.

“We were trying to get outside and trying to get up the middle but it is what it is.’’

Despite the poor conditions, Cougars junior back Randy Hardy scored the game’s only points in the second quarter to push Tri-County (6-2, 5-1) one game closer to a second straight MIAA playoff berth.

Hardy played both running back and quarterback, and MacLean said his versatility was a key to the victory.

“Randy is a great quarterback and a great running back so I like using him at both,’’ MacLean said. “That really worked today. We were able to pass and we were able to get the ball out there. The conditions were what hurt us.’’

Nantucket (4-4, 4-2) went three-and-out on the game’s first drive, something that was repeated throughout the day. The remainder of the first quarter and much of the second were scoreless, but Tri-County’s 89-yard touchdown drive with two minutes to go before halftime proved to be the deciding factor.

After another three-and-out possession, Nantucket’s Andrew Benson punted the ball away with four minutes left in the second quarter. Tri-County used six plays to march downfield for the score, thanks in part to a 42-yard run by Hardy that, combined with a penalty on the play, put the Cougars at Nantucket’s 1-yard line.

An offsides call against Tri-County pushed the ball back to the 6 before Hardy scored on the next play. Chad Todesco was stopped short on the conversion, leaving Tri-County with a 6-0 lead.

Both the Whalers and Tri-County had opportunities to score in the second half, but fumbles and penalties stopped both teams. A personal foul dashed the Whalers’ last scoring chance.

First-year Nantucket coach John Aloisi said he thought despite the loss the game was a motivator for his team.

“I think that the carrot that’s dangled is right in front of their nose now and it’s really, really close,’’ Aloisi said of his team beating a top contender. “They didn’t know if they could attain it and if it was in reach, but it was right there.’’

“I think it’s good for us to be in a game of this magnitude and to play as hard as we did and to just feel it.’’

The second half resulted in only 103 yards of combined offense for both teams.