The Franklinton Demons football team participated in the Mandeville Skippers jamboree last Friday evening. The Demons fell to the Skippers 35-13 after a solid battle.
The Demons got on the board first as senior Conner Magee ripped off a nice 46 yard run to put the Demons into the redzone. Sy Austin capped off the drive with a one yard touchdown run. The extra point was no good and the Demons were up 6-0 with 11:37 left in the first half.
Mandeville promptly scored as their back, who is committed to Duke University, tore off a 73 yard touchdown run to put them ahead 7-6.
On the Demons next drive they were forced to punt but the punt was blocked into the end zone where the Skippers recovered for a touchdown to put them up 14-6.
The Demons responded with a solid drive that Austin ended with a two yard touchdown run. The extra point was good and the Demons had cut the lead to 14-13, which would be the halftime score.
Mandeville scored early in the second half on a 15 yard run to go up 21-13. The Demons put together a promising drive but stalled out on downs in Skipper territory. Mandeville again scored on a long run to go up 28-13.
The Demons then substituted heavily and the reserves fumbled and the Skippers picked up the loose ball for a touchdown and a 35-13 lead, which would be the final score.
Coach Saltaformaggio saw a lot of positives in the game with Mandeville. "I thought we really competed well. We have some protection issues in our kicking game that we need to correct, but overall, I feel really great about our team. We played everyone who dressed and got out with any significant injuries. Next week counts so we are preparing our team for a difficult schedule against quality opponents. I'm excited about where we can be as a program."
Quarterback Jacob Crain passed for 67 yards on four completions of seven attempts. Sy Austin caught one pass for one yard, DaMikies McClain caught two for 43 yards and Jayden Garrett caught one for 23. Conner Magee rushed nine times for 67 yards while Austin rushed nine times for 36 yards and two touchdowns.
The Demons will open their regular season at home Friday night against the Amite Warriors. The Demons and Warriors have not played since 2016, although the two teams had played for decades prior to then.
