The Franklinton Demons football team won their crucial district game against the Loranger Wolves last Friday in Demon Stadium, 28-21.
With the win the Demons move their record to 8-1 overall, their best since 2014, and their district record now stands at 3-0. The Demons are now the district champions, their first since 2015 and are the #1 team in the Division II non-select power ratings. The Demons will play on the road this week against Archbishop Hannan in their final regular season game.
The Demons got on the scoreboard first as they drove for a touchdown when Conner Magee ripped off a 21 yard run with 9:10 on the clock in the first. The extra point was good and the Demons were up 7-0. Late in the first Loranger tied the game at 7-7 when their back scored from 19 yards out.
The Demons responded with another scoring drive when Sy Austin went in from seven yards out early in the second period. Just before the half the Demons scored again as quarterback Jacob Crain hit Jaiden Garrett in the endzone for a 21-7 lead at halftime.
Loranger scored on their opening drive when their quarterback scored from nine yards out with 6:18 left in the third to cut the lead to 21-14. The Demons responded as Crain hit Conner Magee for a 61 yard touchdown with 4:44 on the clock giving the Demons a 28-14 lead.
Loranger continued their ground and pound attack and moved down to score on a one yard quarterback run with 10:50 left in the game to cut the score to 28-21.
The Demons drove to the Loranger 30 before coming up inches short on fourth and turning the ball over on downs. The Wolves, once again, went into their ground attack and slowly moved towards the goal line. The Wolves, at the Demons 20, tried to fool the Demons and attempted a pass. Chakyn McClain intercepted the pass at the one yard line and returned it out to the six.
The Demons, with the ball and only 1:39 left in the game, made one first down and then ran out the clock, preserving the win.
Coach Nick Saltaformaggio was happy for his team and their accomplishments so far. "We are happy to be 8-1 and district champions for the first time in almost a decade. More than anything, I am happy for our school and community. Our players and coaches have worked extremely hard for this, and I am so proud of them for what they have accomplished. That being said, we have to remain focused on the task at hand. There is still a lot of work to be done on both sides of the ball."
As to the game Coach Salt was proud of the way they overcame. "The field conditions were wet and sloppy, and we did have a couple of miscues that we have to correct, but overall, I am pleased that we were able to overcome adversity once again and make enough plays to win."
Jacob Crain passed for 124 yards and two touchdowns completing 8 of 11 passes. Conner Magee was the leading receiver with four catches for 69 yards and a touchdown, while Sy Austin caught three for 34 yards and Jaiden Garrett caught one for 21 yards and a touchdown. Austin was the leading rusher with 99 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries, Conner Magee rushed 7 times for 59 and a touchdown and Crain rushed six times for 38 yards.
