Lakeshore erases doubt with convincing win over Franklinton

If there was any doubt about the ability and resiliency of the Lakeshore Titans, that was erased Thursday night.

Franklinton had won five straight games over the Titans, who had never won at Franklinton. Both streaks are over.

Chris Penton tossed three touchdown passes and Jacob Bernard amassed 281 all-purpose yards and a pair of scores to pace unbeaten Lakeshore to a convincing 59-22 victory at Franklinton in a huge District 8-4A contest.

“This was a huge win for our program,” Lakeshore coach Craig Jones said. “They have always been good and have won state championships. To come here and win is big, considering their history and the struggles we have experienced here. All of the credit goes to the kids.”

Bernard returned punts for 115 yards, including a 68-yard return for a score. He caught four passes for 108 yards and rushed four times for 58 yards and a score. Penton completed 11-0f-21 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns, despite suffering his first two interceptions of the season. Penton now has 28 touchdown passes on the year.

Lakeshore jumped on top 7-0 on its first possession of the game on a 1-yard touchdodwn run by Joshua Hayes. The Demons tied it immediately on an 80-yard run by Louisiana Tech commit Tahj Magee to make it 7-7.

The Titans took the lead for good when Bernard raced 42 yards for a score on their next possession to lead 14-7 and never looked back. Bernard scored on the punt return and Penton connected with Josh Massa and Foster Willie to make it 35-7. Magee hit Rakerian Conerly on an 18-yard touchdown pass for Franklinton but Massa booted a 42-yard field goal to make it 38-14 at halftime.

In the second half, Lakeshore added on as Jalen Willis ran 10 yards for a score, Penton hit Tylan Driver on a one-yard touchdown pass and David Brown scored from three yards out. Magee capped the scoring for the Demons with a two-yard run. In an amazing display of balance, Lakeshore amassed 540 yards, including 270 each passing and rushing. Magee completed 12-of-26 passes for 105 yards and rushed 20 times for 167 yards, accounting for two scores as the Demons gained 323 total yards.

“We didn’t play well,” said Franklinton head coach Stephen Burris. “We couldn’t stop them and we didn’t score enough. Our kicking game hurt us. You can’t give up a punt return for a score.”

Both teams return to district play next Friday night with Lakeshore (8-0, 1-0) hosting Pearl River while Franklinton (2-6, 0-1) hosts Salmen in a rematch of a game played on Oct. 5. Salmen won that non-district contest 34-33 at home.

Louisiana Prep Football Results from Thursday, Oct. 19

New Orleans Area

Landry-Walker 61, Bonnabel 0
Warren Easton 61, Helen Cox 9
John Ehret 68, East Jefferson 33
Kentwood 40, St. John 16
Lakeshore 59, Franklinton 22
McDonogh 35 28, Carver 13

Around the State

Catholic (PC) 69, North Central 8
Church Point 42, Crowley 34
Northwood (SH) 38, Minden 0
Rayne 31, Carencro 21
Montgomery 33, Northwood-Lena
Lincoln Prep 56, Ringgold 0
St. Mary’s 70, University Academy 6
The Church Academy 22, Capitol 18