Franklinton running back Renaz Wilson missed the past two games but returned to action Friday, and he produced in a big way to help the Demons beat host Salmen 27-6 in District 8-4A action.

Wilson, who left the Bogalusa game with a shoulder injury, carried the ball 24 times for 160 yards and scored a touchdown for the Demons (6-1, 2-0).

Wilson said he knew the Demons were ready to come out and play and execute.

“We’ve been working hard all week,” Wilson said. “I want to thank the whole offense. We played hard as unit. We came out, executed, made plays and got the W.”

FHS coach Shane Smith, whose team has won five straight, said Wilson is a tough, hard-nosed football player.

“He runs the ball well and gets those physical yards,” Smith said. “He was hungry, and he did a good job tonight.”

Franklinton stayed patient and moved the chains Friday and had three scoring drives of 10 or more plays. The Demons also also had a nine-play drive to open the game, but that drive ended without points. Franklinton converted eight of 12 third-down attempts and made one of two fourth-down tries.

Salmen was three-for-nine on third down and two-for-four on fourth down tries.

“We’ve thrown the ball down field in recent weeks. I think those guys respected that and maybe softened the coverage a little bit, so we had to take what they were giving us.I thought we did a good job of that,” Smith said.

FHS’ defense also turned in another solid performance. The Demons have allowed 30 points in its past five games.

“We read our keys at practice,” defensive back Pierre Wilson said. “We knew what they were going to do in certain formations. Tonight, we came out and executed.”

The Demons executed well on the Spartans first possession of the second half.

Salmen (1-6, 1-1) took the kickoff from its own 26 and drove to the Demon 3, where the Spartans had first-and-goal.

But Franklinton’s defense held. On fourth-and-goal from the 3 the Spartans tried a quarterback keeper, but the Demons swarmed to the ball and forced a 3-yard loss and turnover on downs with 6:43 left.

Then the Demons increased their lead, driving 94 yards on 12 plays and taking 4:24 off the clock. On first-and-goal from the 5, Azende T. Magee (seven catches for 81 yards) went in motion right to left, took the direct snap and raced in. The extra point was no good, but the Demons were up 20-0 with 2:19 left.

Salmen responded with a quick score before the third quarter concluded as Ivan Price completed a short pass to Joey McLeod Jr., who took it 32 yards for the touchdown. But an errant snap to the holder on the extra point led to a pass, which Martavius James intercepted to keep it 20-6 with 4.6 seconds left in the third.

FHS then marched 80 yards in 11 plays, with quarterback Ron Robinson hitting paydirt with an 8-yard keeper. Alvero Ocampo hit the extra point to finalize the scoring.

The game began with Franklinton taking the opening kickoff and driving to Salmen’s 14, but on fourth down the Demons came up a yard short and turn the ball over.

After Salmen punted, though, FHS scored the opening points when Robinson hit Daryl Fortenberry with a 10-yard scoring pass. Ocampo’s PAT made it 7-0 with 3:35 left in the first.

Salmen punted on its next possession, and Josh Magee fair caught it at his 13.

The Demons then patiently took 6:27 off the clock and drove 87 yards in 16 plays before Wilson scored on a 23-yard run. Ocampo’s kick was good for a 14-0 lead, which FHS held at halftime. During that drive the Demons converted three third downs and a fourth-and-10 attempt.

Robinson went 17 for 23 passing for 162 yards. He also ran 15 times for 88 yards, adding to Wilson’s performance in the team’s strong running game.

The Demons attempt to make it six straight Friday as they head back to St. Tammany Parish to face Lake-shore High School.