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No. 14 Franklinton hosted No. 19 George Washington Carver in a first-round playoff game Friday night, losing by the score of 34-23.

In the first possession of the game, the Rams started a 10-play scoring drive from their own 16-yard-line. The Rams put the first touchdown of the game on the board with a pass from quarterback Quincy Curry to Reginald Patterson from the 10. Kicker Gary Blake fell short on his extra point attempt, which put the score at 6-0 just three minutes in.

The Demons led a drive of their own in response. From the Carver 2, quarterback Jasper LaSalle handed off to Michael Martin for the touchdown. LaSalle attempted the handoff to Martin again for the two-point conversion but the Rams’ defense held him back. The score was 6-6 at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, both teams’ defenses tightened down. However, the Demons got into the red zone with three minutes left in the half. Franklinton’s Keaton Catrell made a field goal from the Carver 10, and the score was 9-6 with the Demons leading at the half.

The Demons pushed hard right out of the gate in the third quarter. After receiving the kick, Franklinton pushed an eight-play drive to the Rams’ 20. LaSalle attempted a quick pass to Caleb Brown, but was intercepted by Lynarise Elpheage. Elpheage returned the interception back for 80 yards and the touchdown. Blake’s kick went wide and the score moved to 12-9 in favor of the Rams.

Blake’s kickoff to the Demons was caught by Cornelius Laurant. Laurant fumbled the return, which was recovered by Carver’s Dre’Lyn Read-Evans at the Franklinton 24. Two plays later, the Rams put a third touchdown on the board with a handoff from Curry to Randolph Armstead. Curry kept the ball and pushed through for the two-point conversion, and the score went to 20-9 just six minutes into the second half.

Franklinton fired back at the end of the quarter. With a minute left in the third, LaSalle handed off to Martin from the Carver 7. Martin pushed through for the touchdown. LaSalle and Martin repeated the play for the two-point conversion and Franklinton cut Carver’s lead to 20-17.

In the first play of the fourth quarter, the Demons put another touchdown on the board and took the lead with another handoff from LaSalle to Martin — this time from the 1. The two-point conversion failed and Franklinton moved in front, 23-20.

Back in possession, the Rams made a 12-play drive downfield and took back the lead with a pass from Curry to Elpheage for a touchdown. Blake’s extra point kick was good and the score moved to 27-23 in favor of the Rams.

On the ensuing possession, the Rams held the Demons to three-and-out. After receiving Franklinton’s punt, the Rams put the final touchdown of the game on the board with a quarterback keeper by Curry. Blake’s extra point kick was good and the final score was set at 34-23.

Franklinton finished the season with an overall record of 6-5.