The Franklinton Demons football team dropped a crucial game last Friday on the road at Lakeshore, 41-27. The loss dropped their overall record to 3-3 and 0-1 in district action. The Demons will host the 2-4 Abbeville Wildcats this week in a non district game.
Lakeshore scored first as they took the opening drive and scored on a three yard quarterback run for a 7-0 lead. The Demons answered with a long drive that Jayden Burkhalter capped off with a 19 yard reception from Jacob Crain, who was not hampered by his injury at the end of last weeks game.
Lakeshore went up again on their next drive for a 14-7 lead, then capitalized on a fumble at the Demons 20 to go up 20-7 at the 6:26 mark of the second. Another fumble on the Demons ensuing drive as they Demons were threatening to score was scooped up and ran in for a 94 yard touchdown and a 27-7 lead.
The Demons scored before halftime as Jayden Burkhalter went in from eleven yards out for a 27-13 halftime score.
The Demons opened the second half with a score as Burkhalter caught a 13 yard pass to cut the lead to 27-20.
Lakeshore scored to push the score to 34-20 before the Demons scored on a beautiful 59 yard pass from Crain to DaMikies McClain to cut the lead to 34-27 with :56 left in the third.
Lakeshore again scored to push the lead back to fourteen at 41-27. The Demons could not score and Lakeshore ran out the time to win the district game.
FHS Coach Nick Saltaformaggio gave credit for the loss to Lakeshore. "It was a tough night. They got after us up front and did a great job of being physical. Their offensive line is phenomenal. Credit them. Their physical play on the offensive line in conjunction with our two turnovers was the difference in the game." He also said the Demons will prepare for the remainder of the season. "We will regroup this week and be ready to go for this run through the end of the season."
Jacob Crain passed for 295 yards and three touchdowns on 19 completions of 24 attempts. He also rushed for 3 yards. Jayden Burkhalter caught 7 passes for 163 yards and 2 touchdowns while DaMikies McClain caught 6 for 82 yards and a touchdown. Dalton Freeman caught 2 for 13 and Colin Stewart caught 1 for 7. Burkhalter also rushed for 23 yards on 6 carries with a touchdown. Ricardo Burris rushed 5 times for 23 and Rayden Raborn rushed 3 times for 5 yards. Chris Gonzales was 3 of 4 on extra points.
