The Franklinton Demons football team took a huge step toward securing the district championship and solidifying a playoff spot as well last Friday when they took an exciting 35-28 win over the Lakeshore Titans. The win moves the Demons’ overall record to 5-1 and 1-0 in district. The Demons will travel to 0-6 Abbeville to play a non-district contest this week.
After Skyler Williams’ interception set the Demons up at the Lakeshore 35 the Demons scored on Sy Austin's six yard run. A two point conversion was no good and the Demons led 6-0 with 5:33 left in the first.
Lakeshore went ahead 7-6 with 2:47 on the clock with a 29 yard run. After a promising drive by the Demons stalled out deep in Lakeshore territory, the Titans scored with 7:54 in the second to make the score 14-6. The Demons scored late in the half when Austin scored on a four yard run then added the two point conversion to tie the game 14-14 at halftime.
The teams traded possessions to open the second half until the Demons went ahead 21-14 on Austin's 21 yard run with 1:48 left in the third quarter. Lakeshore tied the game with 10:10 on the clock in the fourth quarter. The Demons again went back ahead on DaMikies McClain’s 28 yard reception from quarterback Jacob Crain.
Again, Lakeshore tied the game on a long drive that they capped off with a three yard run by the back with 4:22 left in the game.
With plenty of time on the clock, the Demons drove down and scored on Austin's four yard run with just :22 left in the game. Gabe Ezell hit his extra point to give the Demons a 35-28 lead.
The Titans desperately tried to score but a last gasp pass was batted down and the Demons were victorious.
Jacob Crain passed 14 times completing 10 for 132 yards and a touchdown. Crain also rushed twice for 6 yards. DaMikies McClain caught six passes for 75 yards. Conner Magee and Sy Austin each caught two passes for 17 and 40 respectively. Sy Austin rushed for 232 yards and four touchdowns on 32 carries. Conner Magee had 20 yards on five carries.
Coach Nick Saltaformaggio was excited to talk about his team. "We're fighters. I told them at halftime that we've been in this every week. This is why we play the kind of schedule we play. If you're not in it you don't know how to handle it. Our kids are resilient and they're tough. They're tough. Tough teams win football games. And that's what I take out of it. tough teams win football games and that's what we have. We still shoot ourselves in the foot. We're good at fifteen yard penalties. We love them. We are on the road next week, fair week. We have to focus and compartmentalize what we are doing and realize what's at stake, because there is a lot at stake."
