Franklinton defeats Bogalusa
Published 11:16 pm Friday, September 16, 2016
Franklinton used a solid running game and played good defense, as the Demons captured an 18-6 victory at Bogalusa to win the Pine Burr Trophy on Friday night.
“They finished,” Franklinton coach Stephen Burris said. “They finally finished. There were chances to let them back in the game and we finished. We finished to get victory No. 1.”
The game was scoreless until late in the first quarter when Tahj Magee completed a 17-yard pass to Rakerian Conerly. The extra point was no good and Franklinton had a 6-0 lead with 2:14 left in the first quarter.
Franklinton added to its lead just 30 seconds into the second period when Mike Martin broke loose and went 63 yards to paydirt. The extra point was no good and the Demons’ advantage was up to 12-0.
Franklinton had a chance to make it a three-possession game, but the Lumberjacks held on fourth-and-goal from the 14 to force a turnover on downs with 4:39 to go in the first half.
Bogalusa cut the lead in half with 1:39 left in the third quarter. Facing fourth-and-goal from the 5, Thomas Turner connected with Sal Pittman in the end zone for the touchdown. The two-point conversion run was no good, keeping it 12-6 at the 1:39 mark of the third quarter.
After an offsides penalty against Bogalusa on the kickoff, followed by a return to the 50, the Demons were back in the end zone in three plays — all runs by Magee, who capped it off with a 32 yarder. The two-point conversion was no good and Franklinton’s lead was 18-6 with 28 seconds left.
Bogalusa turned the ball over on downs after a fake punt incomplete pass on its next possession.
The Lumberjacks nearly put up a defensive score when Isaac Carson picked off a pass and returned it for a touchdown, but Bogalusa was flagged for an illegal block in the back after the interception. The Lumberjacks kept possession and began at the 30, but were unable to capitalize.
Franklinton went three-and-out, Bogalusa turned it over on downs and then the Demons ran out the final 2:58 to seal the 18-6 win.
Bogalusa coach David Roberts said his club played hard, but just couldn’t finish.
“The offense came a long ways; defense played great. We just couldn’t finish those drives at the end,” Roberts said. “We had a couple of big drops. We turned the ball over a little bit in the first half, but you know, Franklinton’s a good team and you can’t have mistakes and beat a good team.”
Franklinton is 1-2 this season while Bogalusa is 0-3. Both teams are on the road next Friday. The Demons travel to West Monroe while Bogalusa heads to Salmen.