The Franklinton Demons football team advanced to the second round of the Non Select Division II playoffs with a big win over the Rayne Wolves, 51-14.
The win moves the Demons overall record to 8-3 as they progress into the playoffs. The Demons will now host the #9 seed Jennings Bulldogs this week. Jennings comes into the game with an identical record of 8-3. The Bulldogs defeated the 24 seeded St Martinville Tigers last week 56-18.
The Demons got on the scoreboard on their first possession as they used two plays to score when Damikies McClain went 62 yards for a touchdown. The two point conversion was good and the Demons were up 8-0. The Demons added another in the second period as they drove 99 yards for a scored as Ricardo Burris went in from 7 yards out. Crain ran in the conversion and the Demons were up 16-0. After a quick Rayne three and out the Demons scored again when Rayden Rayborn went in from 6 yards out for a 23-0 score. The Demons then pounced on a loose ball on the kick return before scoring on that possession as well for a 30-0 advantage late in the first half.
Rayne put together a drive just before the half to score from four yards out for a 30-8 score at halftime.
Rayne attempted an onsides kick to open the second half but the Demons covered it easily and scored on that possession when McClain caught a 12 yard touchdown to go up 37-8. Burkhalter then caught a 33 yard touchdown to go up 44-8. The Wolves managed another score to cut the lead down to 44-14 before the Demons finished up the scoring with a Burris run of ten yards for a final score of 51-14.
Coach Nick Saltaformaggio thought his team played well and is glad the Demons are at home this week. “I think our kids played exceptionally well tonight. This is what Franklinton should be doing. It was the dream when Coach Shane hired me to advance in the playoffs and our kids have worked really hard. We’ve had a nice run with our twentieth win in the last two years with only five losses. We know how to get through these things and it’ll be another tough one next week. Everybody is going to be tough now. We’re just excited about it, Demon Stadium is a tough place to come and play and get an out, so glad we’re home again.”
Quarterback Jacob Crain was an amazing 14 of 15 for 214 yards and three touchdowns while rushing once for 9 yards. DaMikies McClain caught six passes for 116 yards and a touchdown, Jayden Burkhalter caught 7 for 93 yards and a two touchdowns and Ricardo Burris caught a pass for 5 yards. Burris rushed 16 times for 102 yards and two touchdowns while Rayden Rayborn went 12 times for 89 yards and a touchdown.
Crain also broke a school record during the game as he passed Terrance Magee as the Franklinton High all time passing leader with over 5,400 yards in his career. Crain said after the game that had always been a goal of his.
“Breaking the all time passing record wasn’t just a dream when I was younger, but it was a goal. A goal that I knew would make me better and strive to be the best there ever was at Franklinton. I remember a moment specifically my freshman year of high school of me telling a few juniors and seniors that I would break it. It wasn’t cockiness but it was confidence. This wasn’t just because of me that this was achieved so I give thanks to my coaches, offensive line and phenomenal receivers. Even though that was one of my goals, the biggest one is still ahead and that’s getting a championship ring.”
