The 2025 playoff run of the Franklinton Demons ended last Friday at the hands of the North Desoto Griffins, the undefeated #1 seed.
The Demons played North Desoto tightly through the game but came away with a 51-37 loss. The Demons end their season with a nice 9-4 overall record. North Desoto moves on to play #5 Plaquemines in the semi-finals.
The Demons got behind early as the Griffins scored on their first two series for a 14-0 score. The Demons then put together a drive that put them within a touchdown at 14-7. The Demons defense then set the FHS offense up deep in Griffin territory as Devin Harris intercepted a pass. Rayden Rayborn went in for the touchdown from eleven yards out but a penalty pushed FHS back on the extra point and it was short for a 14-13 score.
North Desoto scored to go up 22-13 before the Demons again responded with a beautiful 47 yard pass from Jacob Crain to Jayden Burkhalter for a touchdown to make the score 22-20. The Griffins scored before the Demons were forced to punt. But another interception by the Demons, this time by Kaleb Causey, gave the Demons possession in Griffin territory. A 25 yard field goal by Liam Young was good for a 29-23 score.
The Demons defense then got a stop and gave the ball to the Demons offense at their own 40. Crain found Ricardo Burris out of the backfield for a short reception and a 60 yard gallop to the end zone. Young's extra point gave the Demons the lead at 30-29 late in the second period.
The Griffins scored before the half for a 37-30 lead at halftime.
The teams battled for the better part of the third period before the Demons scored on a short run by Rayborn that tied the game at 37-37 late in the third. The Griffins scored again just as the third period ended for a 44-37 lead. The Demons’ final two drives ended in an interception after a tipped pass and the final drive saw the Demons move to the Griffins 29 and turn the ball over on downs there. The Griffins scored one last touchdown for the final score of 51-37.
FHS Coach Nick Saltaformaggio said after the game "I am proud of our team. Our motto is "fight until you can't fight anymore" and we did that. I know without a doubt we will be back in the Dome soon. Franklinton football is a force again. We will be right back in the weight room on Monday getting ready for next season."
Quarterback Jacob Crain was 11 of 26 for 173 yards, two touchdowns with one interception. Crain ends his Demon career as the all time passing leader at FHS and with his yards from the North Desoto game he has broken another record. He is now the FHS record holder for most passing yards in a single season, surpassing Terrance Magee for that record. Crain rushed twice for 4 yards.
Ricardo Burris was the leading receiver with 2 receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown. Colin Stewart had 3 receptions for 41 yards, Jayden Burkhalter had 4 for 48 and DaMikies McClain had 1 for 3.
Burris was the leading rusher as well with 51 yards on 16 carries and Rayden Rayborn had 12 carries for 47 yards and 3 touchdowns. Burkhalter and McClain each had one carry for 2 and 3 yards respectively. Liam Young was 4 of 5 on extra points with a 25 yard field
