The Franklinton Demons football team pulled out another overtime win last Thursday on the road at Sumner, 43-39. The win moves the Demons’ record to 4-1 with district play beginning this week at home against undefeated Lakeshore.
The Demons got on the board first when Sy Austin scored from three yards out at the 6:03 mark of the first quarter. The extra point was missed and the score stood at 6-0.
The Cowboys answered on their ensuing drive as their back scored on a three yard run to tie the game at 6-6. The Demons went back on top when Conner Magee went in from twelve yards out to put the Demons up 13-6 with 9:36 left in the second. The teams traded punts until Sumner returned a punt to the Demons 29 and scored on a nineteen yard quarterback run to tie the game at 13-13. The Demons fumbled over to the Cowboys at the 31 and they took advantage with a seven yard run to go up 20-13 which would be the halftime score.
Sumner had possession first in the second half and scored on a 32 yard run on a drive that was set up by a successful fake punt. With Sumner leading 27-13 the Demons scored on Austin’s four yard run to cut the lead to 27-19 after the extra point was missed.
After the kickoff Sumner began their drive at their own sixteen where the Demons Avery Brumfield intercepted a pass to set the Demons up at the 18. Jacob Crain passed to Jaiden Garrett for a seven yard touchdown to cut the lead to 27-25 after the two point conversion was no good.
Sumner increased their lead with 8:30 left in the game on a fifteen yard pass. The extra point was blocked and the score stood at 33-25.
The Demons again cut the lead as Magee ripped off a twenty yard touchdown run at the 6:39 mark. The Demons two point attempt was again no good and the score was 33-31. Sumner again drove to score at the 2:30 mark on an eight yard run. The extra point was missed and the Demons trailed 39-31.
The Demons drove the field quickly and scored when Crain went in from two yards out. Austin was good on the all important two point conversion to tie the game at 39-39 with just :25 left.
The Cowboys knelt on the ball to run out the clock and send the game into overtime.
Sumner had possession first and moved to the three yard line on their first three plays. On fourth down a pass into the end zone was intercepted by Avery Brumfield to end the Cowboys possession.
The Demons then moved to the three on a run by Magee before losing four yards on second down. On third down the Cowboys stopped the Demons for no gain. Coach Salt then sent in his freshman kicker, Gabe Ezell, for a 25 yard field goal from the left hash. The kick was good and the Demons had won.
Coach Nick Saltaformaggio was complimentary of the opponent and feels the Demons aren't getting the statewide recognition they deserve. "First of all, let me compliment them, Sumner is a very good football team. I've never been around a group of guys who have persevered like this. We're playing with a little bit of a chip, people have forgotten about Franklinton. They've forgot what Shane Smith did at Franklinton for a long time. We don't get a lot of publicity, we didn't get a single vote which is amazing to me because we have now beaten three ranked teams and the one loss was to a very good, undefeated Covington team."
Coach Salt was also proud of what his team overcame to get the win vs Sumner. "We have the ability to do things that are special, tonight was special. You're coming on the road to a 4-0 team that is extremely talented and come back from two scores, twice, have a two point conversion called back, go for two and make it and have a ninth grader come in and kick the field goal to win it. I'm proud of them."
Jacob Crain passed 21 times completing 16 for 169 yards and a touchdown while rushing three times for ten yards and a touchdown. DaMikies McClain caught seven passes for 79 yards while Magee caught four for 38, Austin caught three for 17 and Jaiden Garrett caught two for 35.
Sy Austin was the leading ground gainer with 105 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries. Magee rushed twice for 32 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively Avery Brumfield had two interceptions and DJ Anders had one as well.
The Demons were penalized five times for thirty five yards while Sumner was penalized four times for thirty five yards.
Quarterback Jacob Crain keeps the ball and picks up yards for the Demons.
PHOTO BY CALEB MULINA
