The Franklinton Demons football team won a hard fought game last Friday on the road in Loranger, 20-7. The Demons move their overall record to 6-3 and 2-1 in district and have solidified a playoff berth. The Demons will host Archbishop Hannan this week for homecoming. A win against Hannan would guarantee a first round home game while a loss would drop them in the power ratings. Hannan is 3-6 on the season, 0-3 in district and lost to Lakeshore last week 42-14. They are fighting for a playoff spot so they will be playing hard.
The Demons scored on their first possession of the game as they drove seventy five yards as Jacob Crain passed to Jayden Burkhalter for an eleven yard touchdown. The extra point was no good and the Demons were up 6-0 with 4:35 left in the first period.
The Wolves fumbled on the kickoff with the Demons recovering at the Wolves 30. The Demons took advantage as Crain again found Burkhalter, this time for a thirty yard touchdown.
The teams traded punts before the Wolves recovered a fumble at the Demons 35 and took advantage as their tailback scored on a six yard run with 5:32 left in the first half.
The Demons again recovered a fumble at the Wolves thirty three when Tyler Magee pounced on the loose ball. The Demons scored when Rajon Covington went in from the two yard line for a 20-7 lead and that score would stand at halftime.
In the second half the teams traded punts before the Demons threatened as they moved to the Wolves 35 before turning the ball over on downs. The Wolves moved from there to the Demons two yard line before a goal line stand forced the Wolves to turn the ball over on downs there. The Demons then ran out the clock to preserve the victory.
Coach Nick Saltaformaggio was pleased with the win and praised the defense. "A win is a win. We kept moving the ball, but penalties hurt us over and over. I felt that was the best we have played defensively since I have been the head coach. Hats off to the defensive coaches and players for executing the game plan to a "T". Our kicking game especially our coverage units have been excellent. This time of the year we are going to play teams that are playing as hard as they can to get into the playoff bracket so we have to be prepared to play hard every down. Win and move on is now the mindset."
Quarterback Jacob Crain was 14-20 for 192 yards and 2 touchdowns. Jayden Burkhalter was the leading receiver with 5 catches for 66 yards and 2 touchdowns, DaMikies McClain had 4 receptions for 53 yards, Dalton Freeman had 3 for 48 and Colin Stewart had 2 for 25. Ricardo Burris was the leading rusher with 41 yards on 8 carries, Burkhalter had 23 on 4 carries, Rayden Rayborn had 22 on 9 carries and Rajon Covington had 2 yards and a touchdown on 1 carry. Liam Young was 1 of 2 on extra points and Chris Gonzales was 1 of 1.
