The Franklinton High School football team finished an exceptional 2024 season Friday night in the Superdome with a loss in the state championship game.
The Demons fell to Cecilia, 35-32, in the championship game of the LHSAA Division II non-select bracket.
The Demons finished their season with a 12-2 record.
Franklinton held a narrow lead in the 4th quarter, but Cecila managed to score very late in the quarter and then held off the Demons to claim the state championship.
For Franklinton, which won the state championship in 2010, this is the third time the Demons have been state runners-up. They also were the runners-up in 1981 and 2009.
Despite the loss, the Demons can hold their heads high because of their amazing season. For the town of Franklinton, the community is in the very rare position where it has two local high schools that are both football state runners-up this year. Earlier, Bowling Green came in 2nd in the Mississippi Independent School Association playoffs.
Following the game in the Superdome Friday evening, some FHS parents and fans had to wait hours to get to their cars in the Dome parking garage because of a shooting that occurred. According to police, a fan exiting the game got into an argument with another fan and it elevated into a shooting. One man was injured and one man was arrested. It appears that the shooter was from Cecilia.
New Orleans police arrested Gavin Calais, 20, and charged him with attempted 2nd degree murder and also a weapons violation. His victim was not identified.
FHS fans and parents were waiting for the team when the shooting occurred literally feet away from them. Luckily, Franklinton Police Officers and Washington Parish Sheriff's Deputies were present, having escorted the team to New Orleans. In addition to the officers and deputies, Franklinton Police Chief Justin Brown and Washington Parish Sheriff Jason Smith were both present.
Brown, Smith, and the Franklinton and Washington Parish officers jumped into action, providing life-saving medical attention to the man who was shot. They also secured the shooting scene and turned it over to New Orleans Police officers when they arrived. FHS fans who witnessed the shooting event said they were very impressed with the immediate actions of the sheriff, the chief, and their officers and deputies.
One FHS parent who was present told The Era-Leader in an email: "I always thought the police escorted the teams as a ceremony, but now I can see that they also serve an important protective function for the teams and the other students. I am very glad they were there!"
Because the area became a crime scene, the FHS parents and fans could not enter the garage to get their cars and some waited until 2 a.m. before they could leave New Orleans and head back to Washington Parish.
Here is the statement made by Justin Brown, Franklinton Police chief, who was on the scene:
"I would also like to address an issue which happened after the game near Champion Square. As our fans and parents were waiting for the team and support groups, a shooting occurred within feet of them. It is unclear what transpired and who the individuals involved were but officers from FPD and WPSO were immediately on scene and rendered life saving care until paramedics arrived. We turned the scene over to NOPD.
I know it was frightening as my own family was there, taking cover behind concrete blocks. Situations such as this can be very traumatic, so parents, sit down and talk with your kids. It's okay to be upset about it, it's okay to be fearful and it's okay to be glad you weren't injured. All of these things are natural responses to unnatural circumstances.
We got everyone home safe and sound and for that, I give God the glory. I'm proud of our team, I'm proud of our support groups and I'm proud of our fans. You exhibited toughness, resolve class and courage under fire......for that, we are Champions!"
There will be plenty of coverage of the state championship game in the upcoming edition of The Era-Leader. Don’t miss it!
Also, The Era-Leader’s website, era-leader.com, will be updated with more details from the game. Covering the championship game for The Era-Leader are sportswriter Damon Smith and photographer Caleb Mulina.
