The Franklinton Demons football team dropped another tough game to Salmen, 42-26 as their overall record drops to 3-6. The Demons finish district action at 1-3. The Demons will travel to Prairieville for a non district game that has a lot at stake. Prairieville is currently 5-4.
The Spartans scored first as they drove to scored on a quarterback run to go up 7-0. The Demons answered when Ricardo Burris scored on a two yard run to bring the score to 7-6. Salmen scored the next two touchdowns to go up 20-6 before the Demons scored as Jayden Burkhalter caught a 2 yard touchdown pass to make the score 20-13. Salmen scored again before halftime for a 27-13 lead at the intermission.
The Demons scored on the opening drive of the second half to make the score 27-20 when Kerston Diddon hit Jayden Burkhalter in stride for a 43 yard touchdown. They then executed a successful onsides kick to give them the ball in Salmen territory. The Demons capped off the drive with a 23 yard run by Steven Tate. Their two point conversion was unsuccessful and the score stood at 27-26.
But that was as close as the Demons would get as Salmen scored on their next two drives, the second set up by a Demon fumble at the 12 yard line giving Salmen a short field and a field goal. This put the score at 36-26. The Spartans added another touchdown later to go up 42-26.
The Demons put together a solid drive as they moved to the Spartan 3 yard line but the drive stalled out there and the Demons turned the ball over on downs. The Spartans then ran out the clock.
Franklinton coach Nick Saltaformaggio spoke about the game afterwards. "I saw our players play hard and with belief in the program. When you are struggling like this that is something to be proud of. Our coaches did a good job putting us in a position to win the game it just didn't happen. We have one more to play and win that one and we can get into the playoffs. That is the goal. We can complain about our record but that doesn't help. Our focus is on this one game and winning it."
When asked about their next opponent, Prairieville, Coach Saltaformaggio said. "They are a lot like Covington."
Kerston Diddon passed 20 times completing 14 for 206 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also added 65 yards rushing on 11 carries and caught one pass for 13 yards. Chakyn McClain rushed for 58 yards, Ricardo Burris rushed for 41 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries, Steven Tate rushed 7 times for 41 yards and JW Magee rushed once for 2 yards. Jayden Burkhalter was the leading receiver with 81 yards and two touchdowns on 6 receptions. Preston Venables caught 4 for 34, Chakyn McClain caught 2 for 25, and Steven Tate caught one for 53. Ricardo Burris was 1 of 1 passing for 13 yards.
