Franklinton was solid offensively and defensively in a 36-8 District 8-4A road victory over Salmen on Friday.
“I thought we really took the fight from the word ‘go,’” Franklinton coach Jonathan Barber said. “I thought our kids played with some emotion. We got back to playing Demon football. I was happy with the performance and now we need take that momentum this week and going into the playoffs.”
Jasper LaSalle reached the 1,000-yard passing plateau, throwing for 120 yards with a touchdown. He also ran for 66 yards and two touchdowns. LaSalle is up to 1,053 yards passing with eight touchdowns.
“He ran it well and he threw it well,” Barber said. “He’s at the point where he’s taking command of the offense and that’s exciting.”
Mike Martin ran for 85 yards on 23 attempts and a touchdown.
Barber said receivers Duke Bell and Shayland Allen had big games on the outside.
Bell made two catches for 35 yards and a touchdown.
Allen had three receptions for 50 yards.
Caleb Brown made a catch for 18 yards.
Quaran Warren had two receptions for 14 yards and a rushing attempt for 12 yards.
Kian Conerly ran five times for 22 yards and caught a pass for three yards. Conerly also intercepted a pass and returned it 97 yards for a touchdown.
Hayden Cotton also picked off a pass for Franklinton.
Barber said that defensive linemen Carson Ragas and Malachi Martin did a good job of controlling the line.
“We pressured them all night. It was really good defensive effort,” Barber said.
The teams played a scoreless first quarter.
Franklinton outscored Salmen, 22-8, in the second quarter and led by that score at halftime.
The Demons added a touchdown each in the third and fourth quarters.
Keaton Cattret was successful on all four of his extra-point attempts.
Franklinton improved to 4-5 overall and 1-1 in district play. Salmen fell to 1-8 overall and 0-2 in district.
The Demons will play Pearl River on Friday. Pearl River is 6-2 overall and 1-1 in league play. The Rebels lost to Lakeshore, 45-14, last week.