The Franklinton Demons football team fell to the Denham Springs Yellow Jackets 28-20 in a hard fought contest in which the Demons held a lead for the majority of the time.
The Demons got on the scoreboard first after holding the Yellow Jackets on downs on the Demons end of the field. On their first offensive play quarterback Zion Anders hit Kelly Daniels for a 66 yard touchdown pass to put the Demons up 7-0 after Kade Lavigne's extra point was good.
After trading possessions the Yellow Jackets scored on a one yard run by Cam Kelly to tie the game with just :49 left in the first period.
The Demons retook the lead on the ensuing drive as Anders hit Micah Hart for a 50 yard touchdown pass to go up 14-7. The Yellow Jackets ensuing drive bogged down and they settled for a 32 yard field goal which was good for a 14-10 score at the 4:13 mark of the second period. Neither team threatened before halftime and the Demons lead at the half 14-10.
The Demons were penalized on their first drive of the second half with the penalty occurring in the endzone resulted in a safety for the Yellow Jackets, making the score 14-12. The Demons also had to kick off to Denham Springs and the Yellow Jackets again scored a field goal, this time of 22 yards to take the lead at 15-14.
The Demons offense then got moving and drove to the Jackets 16 before attempting a 33 yard field goal, which was blocked. Denham punted on their drive down to the Demons one. The Demons offense couldn't move and a poor punt gave the Yellow Jackets the ball at the Demons nine yard line. A nine yard run by Kelly put them in the endzone for a 21-14 lead after the extra point was no good with 6:48 left in the game.
The Demons offense drove to the redzone of the Yellow Jackets but a pass was intercepted at the two to end the threat. Denham was forced to punt and the Demons took over at their own 26.
Anders hit Kelly Daniels in stride for a 74 yard touchdown to bring the Demons within one as the extra point was no good with 1:43 left in the game.
The Demons onsides kick attempt was picked up and returned for a touchdown to put the Yellow Jackets up 28-20.
After a penalty was marked off against the Demons the Yellow Jackets were kicking off from the Demons 45 and recovered an onsides kick at the 30. After this the Yellow Jackets knelt on the ball and ran out the clock.
Franklinton Coach Guy Lecompte said he sees his team improving. "I'm proud of the guys’ effort! We are making progress and getting better but still have things that we need to clean up."
Zion Anders was five of twelve passing for 224 yards and three touchdowns passing with two interceptions. He also rushed for 17 yards on five carries. Kelly Daniels caught four passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns. Micah Hart caught one pass for 50 yards and a touchdown. Hart also rushed 11 times for 15 yards while Daniels rushed twice for 12 yards.
The Demons will host the Belle Chasse Cardinal this Friday at Demon Stadium. The Demons defeated the Cardinal last season 47-33.
