Game Three: Abilene vs. Franklinton

11:00 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 4
Abilene High Eagles vs. Franklinton (La.) Demons

The Class 5A, Division II, defending champion Abilene High Eagles will host the Franklinton Demons in the third game of the Action Sports Medicine Champions Classic in what could be an explosive display of offense.

Abilene, coached by Steve Warren, returns 22 lettermen, with four starters on each side of the ball. The Eagles run a 3-4 defense and a one-back offense.
Speaking of that one back, according to the Abilene Reporter-News, Herschel Sims set single-season records with 2,352 yards rushing and 40 total touchdowns in addition to finishing as the team’s leading receiver (26-436) in 2009. Ronnell Sims became the first AHS quarterback to get 1,000 yards rushing (1,181) and passing (1,742 on 120-of-188). Wide receiver Darius Joseph missed the last nine games with a shoulder injury, but still caught 18 passes for 348 yards and four touchdowns, all of which covered 40 yards or more.

Also returning are all-state offensive tackle Ben Kittley, safety Jake Brooks and linebackers Anthony Carriola, Josh Jones and Sawyer Tallant. Backup running back Tony Curtis (990 yards, 16 TDs rushing) is also back, as is tight end Jacob Martinez.

The Franklinton High School (La.) Demons were in the Louisiana Superdome last December for the state championship for the first time in almost 30 years. Even though they took home the state runner-up trophy, the Demons broke the state record for highest scoring team, with an average of 50 points per game.

Coach Shane Smith’s team was ranked 44th in the nation in pre-season, and the Demons have a lot of returning talent, including a good crop of returning seniors.

Quarterback Terrence Magee (5-10, 205), who threw for more than 1,700 yards and 26 TDs with only 4 INTs, also rushed for more than 1,300 yards and scored 14 TDs on the ground. Wide receiver Vincent Wilson, (5-8, 160) caught 24 passes for 512 yards, 9 TDs, and a 21.3-yard average last season, while running back Josh Robinson (5-9, 165) gained almost 1,400 yards, and scored 24 TDs on a 13.4-yard average.