The Franklinton Demons football team survived a tough Abbeville Wildcats team last Thursday night in Demon Stadium, 33-30 in a non district game. The Demons improve their overall record to 4-3 and remain 0-1 in district. The Demons will host the Pearl River Rebels this week for senior night.
The Demons scored on the opening drive of the game as Rayden Raborn capped off a nice drive with a three yard touchdown run to go up 6-0 as the two point conversion was no good. The Wildcats answered with a 46 yard touchdown run before the Demons went back in front 13-8 with 2:38 left in the first.
The Wildcats scored again to retake the lead at 16-13 before the Demons scored the next two touchdowns on a 25 yard reception by Dalton Freeman and a 38 yard reception by DaMikies McClain for a 26-16 lead.
The Wildcats scored just before the half to cut the score to 26-22 at the halftime intermission.
The Wildcats opened the second half with a score to go up 30-26 before the Demons retook the lead in the fourth on a Crain to Burkhalter pass from 29 yards out to put the Demons up 33-30.
The Wildcats had the ball two more times but the Demons defense forced turnovers on downs both time to preserve the win.
Coach Nick Saltaformaggio was relieved with the tough win and says all of the teams goals are still possible.
"An ugly win is better than a pretty loss. We had lost two in a row, it's been a fight. We had to correct ourselves a little bit, I think. My big belief is classroom, weigh troom, locker room and we're pretty good at two but we need to work on the third one, which is the locker room. We go through Fair week with a win so it's on to the next one and the next three weeks, if we can win and maybe get a first round bye and hopefully, we win enough to get that bye."
Jacob Crain passed 25 times, completing 15 for 205 yards and 4 touchdowns with three interceptions while rushing for 3 yards on one carry.
DaMikies McClain was the leading receiver with 101 yards and a touchdown on 8 receptions.
Jayden Burkhalter caught 4 for 58 and two touchdowns, Dalton Freeman had 2 for 39 and a touchdown and Colin Stewart caught one for 17.
Rayden Raborn and Ricardo Burris both rushed for 9 carries and 48 yards each while McClain rushed twice for 27 and Burkhalter rushed twice for 17.
Chris Gonzales was 3 of 3 on extra points.
Demons Samuel Braddy and Devin Harris make a tackle.
PHOTO BY CALEB MULINA
