Franklinton’s Demons were strong in a scrimmage against Slidell on Thursday at Lakeshore.
After the freshman scrimmage, the varsity took the field. The scrimmage began with the teams working on kickoffs.
The second teamers began with two series on offense and defense beginning at the 30. The Demons offense struggled on the first series. There were two interceptions and one run back for a touchdown.
The second-team defense took the field and did not allow the Tigers to tally and forced a turnover when Jaquan Anthony recovered a loose ball from a backward pass.
The second-team offense struggled in its second series, but again, the Demons defense prevented Slidell from tallying. On the final play, Rodney King recovered a fumble on an errant snap by the Tigers.
The field-goal kickers took the field and had five attempts. Franklinton’s Walker Andrews was good on two of his four attempts. One was blocked and he was unable to kick one because of a low snap.
The first team came out and was solid after the first three plays. Slidell recovered a fumble on the third play, but then the Demons drove 70 yards in seven plays and scored on a 27-yard pass from Tahj Magee to Chandler Davis.
Franklinton’s defense was tough in the next series, recording a sack and two picks.
Relik Wilson sacked the Tigers’ quarterback on the first play. Jeremiah Burkhalter intercepted a pass five plays later and Jamarian Crain picked off a throw just three plays later.
“Our defense is athletic and active,” Franklinton coach Shane Smith said. “They get to the football and we’re going to need them to do that all year. Hopefully, we’ll improve upon that next week, but they did a good job.”
The Demons offense went back on the field and scored on the final play of the series. Magee threw to Ryché Jenkins. Jenkins overpowered a couple of defenders, stayed on his feet and scored on a 23-yard touchdown pass.
The Demons’ defense was stout once again. On the final play, Martavius James picked off a pass and returned it to the end zone for six more.
The teams went back to special teams after with punting and punt returns. Nathan Polk got off about a 35-yard punt for the Demons.
Both coverage units did a solid job of keeping the punt returners from having long returns.
Franklinton’s second-team offense went back out and moved the ball from its 30 to the 44 before Slidell went back on offense.
The Tigers’ drive ended when Kain Conerly intercepted a pass.
FHS’ first-team offense moved the ball but was hurt by two fumbles. The second one was recovered by Slidell.
The next four combined drives saw the two teams go three-and-out.
After the Demons held the Tigers off of the board, Franklinton drove 70 yards for a touchdown in four plays. Azende T. Magee ended the drive by running 50 yards to pay dirt.
Slidell answered on the first play from scrimmage with a 70-yard pass.
Franklinton then went on a 10-play drive and nearly tallied from the three but fumbled, and Slidell recovered it in the end zone. The Tigers scored on a 22-yard run to end the scrimmage.
Smith said Magee did a good job in his first varsity start
“Still got some things to clean up. A few high balls and whatnot, but that’s to be expected. He made some good decisions on some of his throws,” Smith said.

Smith added that overall, there were plenty of positive things.
“We’ve got to improve upon the turnovers, the ball security, the blown assignments and then you finish giving up a drive to Slidell, and then they got a big play on a double move on a pass from that, so we’ve got to clean that up. I think we got a lot of film and our coaches are pleased and there’s a lot of things we can work on and build on.”
Up next for FHS is the jamboree. The Demons are facing John Curtis at Mandeville High.