Franklinton looks to rebound from rare losing season

The consistent football excellence at Franklinton is clear.

The Demons played for a state title in 2009 and won the Class 4A championship in 2010. They reached the semifinals in 2014 and 2015 and the quarterfinals in 2013

While Franklinton reached the playoffs last season as expected, they exited in the first round for the first time since 2012.

Following a virtual legend is never an easy task and Stephen Burris is handling it well.

Burris took over for Shane Smith, who left Franklinton following the 2015 season to become wide receivers coach at Southeastern Louisiana. Smith led the Demons to seven district titles, along with the state championship. He posted a record of 142-62, missing the playoffs just once in 17 years.

In 2016, the Demons faced a very difficult early schedule, losing their first two games and three of their first four, falling to Covington, Amite and West Monroe. They rebounded to win three of their next four games before losing to powerful Warren Easton in the opening round of the 4A playoffs, finishing 5-6.

“We had a lot of turnover last year as far as coaches and we had inexperience all over the field,” Burris said. “The kids starting last year featured a lot of underclassmen. That certainly helped with experience for this year. We also had four kids with broken legs that really hurt us. If it could go wrong last year, it went wrong. The only issue we have this year is depth. We like our players but we have to stay healthy.”

Year two should see improvement for the Demons.

Standout senior quarterback Tajh Magee (5-10, 195 Jr.) leads the way. Magee threw for nearly 2,300 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2016 and rushed for over 1,100 yards and 15 touchdowns as one of the best dual threat quarterbacks in south Louisiana. He is a commitment to Louisiana Tech.

“Tajh is a good player,” Burris said. “You don’t have to have a good play called and he can still make a play. He has a great arm and can run and improvise when things break down. He is a three-year starter and our team leader. He is the heart and soul of our offense.”

Magee has an outstanding group of receivers to throw to, including junior wide receivers Duke Bell (6-2, 200) and Kian Connerly (5-9, 180), who was a good cornerback a year ago. Connerly will also play running back. Bell had 18 catches for 280 yards while Connerly caught 33 passes for 470 yards and six touchdowns last season. Taquan Charles (5-4, 175) is a returning starter at runningback who runs bigger than his size.

“Connerly is an explosive kid,” Burris said. “Duke could not really see well and we got him contact lenses and that has really helped. He is big and hard to bring down and should have a breakout season. Charles is exceptionally quick and has good vision. He gains five or six yards before you even know he’s got the ball.”

The offensive line features two returning leaders in seniors Lance Stermer (6-2, 260) and Josh Gubert (6-1, 240) while three others have experience.

“Our offensive line is probably the most improved area of our football team from a year ago.”

Defensively, a trip of senior linebackers lead the way, including senior outside linebacker LaMount Harris (6-3, 200), who had a team high 87 tackles, including 4.5 sacks last season. Middle linebacker James Bickham (5-7, 195) returns after posting 83 tackles in 2016. Outside linebacker Jayden Ard (6-0, 170) was in on 41 stops and tied for team honors with five interceptions.

Up front, junior end Carson Ragas (6-1, 220) was a good player in 2016 while senior Austin Thomassen (5-11, 185) returns as well. In the secondary, senior safety J.P. Magee (6-1, 175) had 54 stops but he is out with a torn ACL. Connerly played corner last year and returns as the leader in the secondary as a two-way star.

“Our eight kids in the box are quite good,” Burris said. “Ragas and Thomason are very solid. We have as many as six linebackers who can play. That is one spot we have depth. The secondary is probably our weakness. Losing J.P. really hurts. Connerly is a very good player for us.”

The schedule is again extremely challenging. The Demons open at Covington on Sept. 1. The Lions handled the Demons 49-13 a year ago at Franklinton. After hosting Fontainebleau, it is the annual rivalry game with Bogalusa in week three. The Demons travel to Tylertown, TX in week four before another tough game at St. Thomas More Sept. 29.

“We have eight of the nine teams on our schedule that made the playoffs,” Burris said. “Neville is elite. STM won the state title. Tylertown was 12-1 last year. Covington and Fontainebleau are tough. Bogalusa is a rivalry. It is tough to get games if you are very good and have a good reputation. There will be no easy opponents. You better be ready to play somebody.”

District 8-4A play opens on Oct. 5 at Salmen before the Demons host 4A stalwart Neville on Oct. 13. It is back to district play on Oct. 20 when Franklinton hosts vastly improved Lakeshore. In a very unorthodox scheduling quirk, week nine has the Demons facing Salmen a second time, this time at home, before closing the season at Pearl River on Nov. 3.

“We tried to find a game week six and could not,” Burris said. “Salmen was in the same predicament. We needed that fifth home game. Coach Jerry Leonard was willing to do it so we are doing it and the LHSAA approved it. Obviously, you would prefer not to but it was necessary. We want the kids to play 10 games as well. Salmen and Lakeshore both have Division I players and will be tough challengers in district play. Pearl River will likely be a little down.”

With such a tough schedule, it is possible that Franklinton will be improved in 2017 while the record may not change much. That said, the Demons will be as well prepared as any team in the state in 4A by playoff time.

“We’ll be battle tested by playoff time,” Burris said. “We know that we will be prepared to face anyone we will have to take on. That’s the most important team. You can’t play 10 teams that you are guaranteed to beat. You have to test your team. Staying healthy is the key.”