By John Glover

The Daily News

The Franklinton High School Demons hosted the St. Thomas More Cougars on Friday in both teams’ fifth game of the season, as the Demons fell by a score of 56-21.

The Demons went into the game with a 2-2 season record and hoped to build on their wins against Tylertown in their previous game and Bogalusa the game before that. The Cougars, with a 3-1 season record, went into Friday’s game after a defeat against Catholic High School the week before.

The Demons got on the board just 41 seconds into the game with a touchdown pass by quarterback Jasper LaSalle to Shayland Allen from the Cougars’ 20 yard line. The extra point kick was good and the Demons took the lead 7-0.

The Cougars answered back with an immediate seven-play drive from their own 40 yard line, which ended with a handoff by Caleb Holstein to Noah Fredrick from the 2-yard-line for the touchdown. Trevor Robertson made the extra point, which tied the score, 7-7, just three minutes into the game.

Back in possession, the Demons pushed down field with a nine-play drive. At the 2 yard line, LaSalle handed off to Mike Martin, who broke right and though for the touchdown. The extra point was good to put the home team ahead, 14-7.

The Demons’ kickoff was returned to their own 46 yard line by the Cougars, which put them in a strong position for a short four-play drive that ended with a pass from Holstein to Jack Bech from the 7-yard-line for the touchdown. Robertson got the extra point and the score tied up 14-14.

The Cougars’ defense firmed up during the next possession by the Demons and forced a punt after just four downs. The Cougars took the ball over at the Demons’ 21 yard line. A handoff from Holstein to William Cryer at the 4 gave the Cougars their third touchdown of the first quarter and the lead. With a good kick from Robertson, the score became 21-14 at the end of the first quarter.

Back in possession of the ball at the start of the second quarter, the Demons drove nine plays down the field to the Cougars 47 yard line. At the 47, LaSalle made a hand off to Kian Conerly who broke through the line and outpaced the Cougars for a 47-yard carry and the touchdown. The extra point kick was good and the score was again tied at 21-21.

The Cougars defense and offense rallied and, back in control of the ball, answered back with a pass from Holstein to Grant Arceneaux from the 45 yard line in the first play. Arceneuax ran it back for the touchdown and retook the lead for the Cougars. Robertson made the extra point kick and the score became 28-21.

The Cougars went on to put two more touchdown on the board before halftime. One was from a quarterback keep by Holstein from the 1. Two minutes later, the Cougars scored again with a hand off from Holstein to Frederick from the 10. Robertson made both extra point kicks and the score was 42-21 at the half.

The third quarter saw the Cougars put the last two touchdowns of the game on the board. With about four minutes left in the third quarter, Holstein passed to Jonathon Thibodeaux from the Demons’ 38. Thibodeaux ran it back for the touchdown.

Then, with 10 seconds left in the third quarter, Holstein passed to Bech from the 4 for the final touchdown of the game. Robertson made both extra-point kicks and the final score was 56-21 in favor of the Cougars.

Franklinton will host Salmen on Thursday night.