The Franklinton Demons football team opened their regular season with a huge win over the Amite Warriors Friday night in Amite. The 36-12 win puts the FHS record at 1-0 on the young season.
The Demons opened the game and the season in great fashion as Jayden Burkhalter returned the kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown. The two point conversion was no good and the Demons led 6-0.
The Demons missed a big opportunity as the Warriors fumbled over to the Demons at the Amite 19 but the FHS offense bogged down and a field attempt was ruled to be wide. The teams traded punts and drives before the Demons put together a scoring drive just before the half when DaMikies McClain caught a 49 yard pass from quarterback Jacob Crain to move the Demons’ score to 13-0 at halftime.
The Warriors again fumbled over to the Demons on their opening drive of the second half and the Demons made them pay as Jayden Burkhalter caught a pass from Crain and raced 64 yards for the touchdown, pushing the score to 20-0. After an Amite punt the Demons offense again scored as Ricardo Burris raced 71 yards for a touchdown with 6:36 left in the third for a 26-0 score after the two point conversion was again no good.
Amite got their offense in gear and drove 65 yards for a touchdown to cut the lead to 26-6. After a Demon punt the Warriors again drove and scored on a 15 yard run by the quarterback to cut the lead to 26-12 as their conversion was stuffed.
The Demons added a 26 yard field goal by Gabe Ezell with 6:50 left in the game to push the lead to 29-12.
The Demons forced and recovered a fumble on the Warriors kick return and took advantage as Crain ran it in from 11 yards out. The extra point made the score 36-12 with 4:07 left in the game. The Warriors turned the ball over on downs and the Demons ran out the clock.
FHS Coach Nick Saltaformaggio said his Demons still need to improve in areas. "We've got to run the ball better. We're a big play offense. We have to find a way to grind it out. When you're up 20-0 to start the second half and then score to make it 26-0 you have to find a way to have some four to six minute drives and we're not able to do that right now."
On the four turnovers going the way of the Demons, Coach Salt said, "We preach it, we practice it, we go after it every day at practice stripping the ball and trying to get those balls on the ground and it paid dividends tonight."
Jacob Crain was 12 of 22 passing for 212 yards and two touchdowns with an interception while rushing three times for 21 yards and a touchdown.
Ricardo Burris was the leading rusher with 101 yards on 16 carries with a touchdown. Jayden Burkhalter rushed three times for 10 yards while Rayden Raborn rushed six times for 30.
Jayden Burkhalter was the leading receiver with 82 yards and a touchdown on three receptions. DaMikies McClain caught five for 78 yards and a touchdown, Ricardo Burris caught two for 22, Chakyn McClain caught one for 14 and Colin Stewart caught one for 13 yards.
Gabe Ezell was 3 of 3 extra point attempts and 1 of 2 on field goals.
The Demons will travel to Covington this week to play the Lions in a non-district game. Covington defeated Bogalusa Friday night 49-0.
