By John Glover

The Daily News

 

The Franklinton High School Demons lost to the Spartans from Salmen High School on Friday night, 28-8, in a District 8-4A game that was also homecoming for the Demons.

Friday’s loss for Franklinton (2-7, 0-2 in District 8-4A) followed a 59-22 loss against Lakeshore the previous week. Salmen came into the game off a 55-0 win over Pearl River.

A hard-fought game on both sides, the Spartans pressed their weight against the Demons defense though out the game. Spartan quarterback L.J. Leonard handed off to Aaron Williams from the 4 yard-line for a touchdown seven minutes into the first quarter. Eddie Smith was good for the extra point and the score went to 7-0 in favor of the Spartans.

Salmen put another six on the board three minutes into the second quarter with a handoff from Leonard to Mikell Marco from the 20 yard-line for a touchdown. Smith kicked the extra point, and the score at halftime was 14-0.

The Spartans continued their press against the Demons into the third quarter and scored their third touchdown a little over three minutes into the half when Raif Branch attempted a fourth-down punt. The punt was fumbled and recovered by Degrick Cheatham at the Demons’ 37. Cheatham ran it back for the touchdown. Smith got the extra point through and the score went to 21-0.

With less then five minutes in the third quarter, Leonard got sacked in his own end zone by a host of Demons for the safety and two points on the board, making it 21-2.

The fourth quarter saw Franklinton’s Lamount Harris force a fumble by the Spartans at their own 30 yard-line. Harris recovered and set the Demons up for their first and only touchdown of the game.

Franklinton quarterback Jasper LaSalle passed to Shayland Allen for 21 yards. Then LaSalle went with another pass to Tahj Magee for the touchdown. LaSalle attempted the two-point conversion with a pass but couldn’t connect, which left the score at 21-8.

With 24 seconds left in the game, LaSalle attempted a pass to Rakerian Conerly from the Demons’ 26. Salmen’s Reshawn Gallaspy intercepted the pass and ran it back for the final touchdown of the game. Smith was good on the extra point and the final score was 28-8 Spartans.

Next week, Franklinton travels to Pearl River to play the Rebels in the final game of the 2017 season.