The Franklinton Demons took one on the chin last Thursday in Demon Stadium as they dropped a 34-20 decision to the Salmen Spartans. The loss drops the Demons record to 3-5 and 2-1 in the district.
The Demons are set to host the Loranger Wolves this Friday in Demon Stadium. The Wolves beat Hannan last week 79-54. The Demons defeated the Wolves last season on the road. This the first time the Wolves have been to Demon Stadium since 2016.
After a Christiun Martin interception set them up at midfield, the Demons scored first in the game when Conner Magee went in from seven yards out to put the Demons up 6-0 midway of the first quarter. The Spartans answered with a drive that was capped off with a two yard quarterback run to put them ahead 7-6.
The Spartans scored on a 47 yard run with 2:52 left in the first half to go up 13-7 before the Demons answered with a nice kickoff return and a one yard run by Micah Hart to tie the game at 13-13, which would be the halftime score.
The Spartans opened the second half with an onsides kick, recovering at the Demons 48. They scored on that possession to go up 20-13 before the Demons tied the game again as Conner Magee returned the kickoff to the Salmen 19 yard line and scored on a 4 yard run for a 20-20 score.
Salmen scored on their next drive to go up 27-20 but the Demons were forced to punt after a devastating holding penalty bogged them down. Salmen scored again to go up 34-20 with 9:43 left in the game.
Late in the game the Demons drove to the Salmen 38 yard line but turned the ball over on downs there and Salmen ran out the clock.
FHS Coach Nick Saltaformaggio said there were things they could have done better.
"I thought we competed well in the first half. The surprise onside kick caught us off guard and we never recovered. I told our players that to win a game like that, that our players needed to play better and faster and tougher longer than their players. We didn't do that. Their offensive line really dominated our defensive front and we couldn't tackle #2. That along with the lack of self control and multiple penalties was the reason we were not winners tonight."
Quarterback Conner Magee was the leader in statistics for the Demons with 79 yards and two touchdowns rushing on 15 carries while completing 3 of 4 passes for 36 yards. Micah Hart had 7 carries for 6 yards and a touchdown while Rayshone Manuel had 12 carries for 49 yards. Dalton Freeman had one catch for 26 yards, Michael Brock had one for no yards and Amias Tate had one for 10 yards.
