The "new" Demon Stadium at Franklinton High School has now been in use for twenty seasons. Let’s look back and highlight some of the more memorable games from those twenty football seasons.
Of note, the Demons’ football record through that 20-year period is a nice 78 wins to 41 losses for a 66% winning percentage. Their best period of those twenty seasons was 2009-2011, when Franklinton did not lose a single game at home. FHS was 19-0 in Demon Stadium for that three year period.
Demon Stadium means many things to many different people. From the dance team members to the cheerleaders and the football players and to coaches. FHS offensive coordinator Matt Hughes says Demon Stadium is an aid to winning games: "Demon Stadium is one of the great home field advantages in the state of Louisiana.”
For Brad Penny, former FHS player, assistant coach and current Franklinton Junior High head baseball coach, Demon Stadium holds many memories.
"Being on the state championship team,” Brad said, “there are too many great memories on that field that I could point out.”
But one thing that will always stick with me is that we never lost a home game my senior year. I've been through all the ranks from ball boy, player and coach. There's always something special being under those lights on Friday nights."
With the aid of several people that I reached out to, I have compiled what I believe are the top ten games in Demon Stadium from 2006 through 2025.
#10. The 2007 regular season game with Holy Cross. A lot was on the line in this one. The Demons were attempting to go 9-0 for the first time since 1981. The district title was on the line as well as playoff seeding. The Demons broke the game open late to win by two scores, but the game was hard fought and was highly anticipated, especially by the mainstream media. \
Randall Ginn, then FHS assistant coach and head basketball coach, has fond memories of Demon Stadium and this game. "First of all, my sons’ senior nights are memorable since I changed schools to coach them as Demons. Personally, the game I'm choosing was Holy Cross for the district championship in 2007. We were up by a couple of touchdowns with less than a minute to go and the defense poured the cooler on Coach (Stephen) Burris. He ran on the field to get away from it during the game and Coach Smith thought he was celebrating early and yelled at him to get off the field!"
#9. The 2013 game versus East Jefferson for the district championship was big. Demons lost 17-8. Both teams were also playing for playoff seeding. The Demons gave up an early touchdown on a pick six that put them in the hole and later were stopped at the one yard line by the EJ defense. East Jefferson went on the win the state championship, coached by current FHS Coach Nick Saltaformaggio.
#8. The 2014 quarterfinal win over Landry/Walker. Huge game as it sent the Demons to the semi's.
#7. The 2007 quarterfinal loss to Bastrop. A huge crowd watched the Demons play in the quarterfinals for the first time since 1981. The atmosphere in the then two-year-old Demon Stadium set the bar for future playoff games. Former head coach and then assistant coach Jonathon Barber said this game, "Was when I realized we had arrived as a program. We were the only team to challenge Bastrop the entire year. They were making a run for a third straight state championship."
#6. The 2015 semifinal lost to Karr. Playing for a shot at the Dome, this was a huge game. The game turned late when the Demons scored to close the margin to 26-21, but then Karr scored quickly to push their lead back to double digits.
#5. The 2010 semifinal win over O.P. Walker. An often overlooked game, this was an extremely physical defensive slugfest. The Demons were up 7-6 early in the fourth quarter when O.P. Walker drove to the one yard line. They were denied a touchdown there and the Demons took the ball at the one and drove 99 yards to score. This, more or less, broke the Broncos’ will. Josh Robinson began hitting big plays to increase their lead and the Demons won going away.
#4. The 2024 quarterfinal win over Lakeshore was an excellent ball game. The Demons had won the regular season game and Lakeshore wanted that one back. They wouldn't get it. The Titans drove to score late to pull to within one point. They elected to go for two and the Demons defense stuffed their attempt, sending the Demons to the state semifinals.
Current FHS head coach Nick Saltaformaggio chose this as his favorite game in Demon Stadium. "First, it is an honor to coach at FHS and stand on the grass in Demon Stadium. My favorite game here has to be the Lakeshore quarterfinal game in 2024. We played a great game and thought we had it put away. Lakeshore rallied. They went for two to win it and Elijah Hart makes a great play to stuff the run. We kill the clock and advance to the semifinals."
#3. The 2024 semifinal win over Iowa. The first semifinal game in Demon Stadium in nine seasons, this game was a big one. The Demons broke a tie with just over a minute left in the game when Jacob Crain hit Dalton Freeman for a 31 yard touchdown to give FHS the victory.
Matt Hughes, FHS assistant coach said this was his favorite game in Demon Stadium. "My favorite game is the 2024 semifinal game against Iowa. That was a war, and we fought so hard to win that game. And I believe this with all my heart: Us being in Demon Stadium that night was the difference in the game. It's just special."
#2. The 2010 regular season win over Salmen. The Demons had whipped Salmen 60-0 in the playoffs the season before and Salmen wanted revenge. They had "60-0" stickers on their helmets as a reminder. They also had their quarterback, who had been suspended the previous season, back which made them a better team. Every possible form of media was at the game including television.
It was an excellent game and the Demons pulled out a nice win over Salmen for the district title. Shane Smith, then head football coach at FHS and current principal, remembers that game fondly. "The environment and players from both teams performing at a high level with passion, enthusiasm and effort. The crowd was wonderful and the district championship was on the line. Amazing how proud I felt watching our players continue to overcome deficits and situations like fourth down."
#1. The 2009 state semifinal win over Salmen. The 'Snow Bowl" or "Snow Game" has gone down into legendary status and everyone was there. The Demons and Spartans had battled into overtime during the regular season with the Demons getting the win and the Spartans wanted revenge, not to mention a trip to the Dome.
The snowfall started as the game began. Salmen was a predominantly passing team and the cold and the snow hindered them tremendously. Their quarterback said afterwards, "I couldn't feel my hands."
But the snow barely hampered the Demons, a predominantly running team, and they ripped off a 60-0 win for their first trip to the Dome and first state championship game in 28 years.
Former FHS head coach and defensive coordinator Stephen Burris said this is his favorite. "The semifinal in the snow against Salmen. Just amazing game, amazing atmosphere, and the conditions were unlike any other."
