The Franklinton Junior High Falcons football team battled the Pine Junior High Raiders in the annual Washington Parish Junior High championship game last Monday in Mt Hermon. Battle being the key word as the teams battled to a 0-0 deadlock after regulation play, sending the game into overtime. In the overtime period the Raiders pulled out a dramatic 7-6 win giving them the 2023 championship.
In the regulation portion of the game the Falcons held the Raiders to three first downs as they never threatened to score. The Falcons had one solid drive as they drove to the Pine four yard line where two different penalties backed them up. A pass into the endzone as time expired for the halftime was intercepted by the Raiders.
In the overtime period, using high school rules of both teams having an opportunity from the ten yard line, Pine was on offense first. The Raiders scored on second down and their extra point kick was successful putting them up 7-0.
The Falcons then had their turn as they scored on fourth down from the four when quarterback Rhett Anderson passed to Osean Warren for the touchdown.
After the touchdown play the Falcons were penalized fifteen yards for excessive celebration and then had to attempt their extra point from the eighteen, which was a 35 yard kick attempt. The kick had the distance but was just off to the right and the score stood at 7-6 giving the Raiders the win and the championship.
Coach Andy Creel was obviously disappointed after the game but said his team was playing their best ball at the end of the season. “Told the kids after the game, that’s the best that we’ve played all year. Peaked at the right time, played hard and never gave up. I’m proud of them.”
Of the game Coach Creel said “we squandered some opportunities before halftime. Our defense, with the exception of one game, has played well all year. They kept us in a lot of games and gave us a chance to win.”
