The next stop on the Gridiron Football Spring Tour brought me to Franklinton High School as the Demons took on the Hammond Tornadoes. Here are some observations from the scrimmage plus what both Franklinton head coach Nick Saltaformaggio and Hammond head coach Dorsett Buckels thought about their teams’ performances.
Franklinton High School:
Last year was a tough outing for Franklinton in their spring game against Hammond, but this year, the Demons had an impressive showing against the Tornadoes as they have scored multiple times including two touchdowns in the live quarter. Going up against a 5A playoff team in Hammond and having a promising showing was a good sign for Nick Saltaformaggio.
“I feel like we are going to a tough out and Hammond’s really good obviously. I think we played well. We had five or six scores through all of it. I think we have a really good football team. We want to feel like at the end of spring, we want to be able to talk about ourselves like people talk about Cecilia, Iowa, and North DeSoto. We feel like that’s who we are and that’s where our program has risen to. I told my kids after I would be disappointed if we’re not working out here Thanksgiving morning and see where we go from there.”
Franklinton HC Nick Saltaformaggio
After a state runner-up finish in 2024 and a Quarterfinal finish last season, the Demons are in the conversation of being one of the more elite teams in Division II Non-Select. Although the offense has to replace two Gridiron Football All-Americans in QB Jacob Crain (Pearl River Community College) and WR Damikies McClain, the Demons new QB/WR connection of Kerston Diddon and Jayden Burkhalter shined connecting 7 times for 191 yards including two touchdowns. While that connection was the headline, their overall offensive balance was extremely impressive with multiple weapons that can score.
“Kerston, Jayden, and Chakyn McClain are really good. We also have two excellent receivers that aren’t even freshmen yet. That 1-2 punch in our backfield with Ricardo Burris and Steven Tate makes it difficult for defenses. We didn’t show a lot of two back and showing that with both of them in the backfield is going to be special for us. Our offensive line is going to get infinitely better. We started two freshmen at tackle and three sophomores inside. One of them is Caleb Wright and he is a very good football player that started for us last year as a sophomore.”
Franklinton HC Nick Saltaformaggio
Defensively, the Demons did give up some big plays, but on the other hand, made some big plays at the end of the scrimmage to secure the win on the scoreboard.
“The unsung heroes for us tonight are the linebackers. Those guys are hard to handle. We started a freshman in the secondary. One thing that is proven in Washington Parish is that if your last name is Magee and you play football, you’re good. I am happy tonight and with how we played.”
Franklinton HC Nick Saltaformaggio
There is a lot of optimism for the Demons team this season, but Coach Saltaformaggio is not blind to some of the areas that the team needs to improve upon.
“We have to improve on our run blocking up front. Pass protection was pretty good and blitz protection was pretty good. Our run blocking needs some polishing and defensively, our interior second level. We attacked, but we didn’t tackle particularly well. We got to get people on the ground. We held out two excellent players today in Taylor McCray and JW Magee because of injuries. As we go through the offseason, we will get stronger and more physical.”
Franklinton HC Nick Saltaformaggio
Hammond High School:
On the other hand, Hammond is having almost a brand new team after winning seven games a season ago as head coach Dorsett Buckels has to replace 24 veteran players.
“We have a very young team. We are quite confident that we are going to get there. It’s just taking a little time. We are replacing 24 guys so I was impressed with some of the things that I had seen. We are going to go back to the drawing board, watch film, correct these mistakes, and we will be ready to go.”
Hammond HC Dorsett Buckels
Three of those veterans that the Tornadoes have to replace are Gridiron Football All-Americans that have all signed to play college football in RB Zalen Bennett (Jackson State), DB Vince Delaney (Mississippi Valley), and DE Aydan Self (Ottawa University).
“You can’t say enough about those guys. They were workhorses and played several years in our program. They are going to do great things at Jackson State, Mississippi Valley, and Ottawa. I am impressed what they were able to do and what they will do.”
Hammond HC Dorsett Buckels
A player that is expected to step up in the leadership role is dual threat quarterback Terin Jones, who is in total command of the offense and was decisive whether it was throwing or taking off and running. He threw for a touchdown in the scrimmage while rushing for two more.
“Terin is in his fourth year of our system and started since he was a freshman. We are very excited about him and we also let him play a little defensive back. He made some plays and is just a baller. Look for some great things out of Terin Jones. We are impressed with his work ethic and leadership guys.”
Hammond HC Dorsett Buckels
Jones, DE Elontae Beauchamp, who has nearly 30 sacks the last two years, and DT Solar Tynes, who was a top camp performer last year at our John Curtis elite camp are three of the names that are expected to take a major leap in terms of their leadership roles.
“Those guys are really good players, but we are looking for them to be great players and they will get there.”
Hammond HC Dorsett Buckels
Although the Tornadoes did not get the win in the spring game, what they did gain was meaningful tape and experience for their talented, yet inexperienced players.
“Experience is the best teacher. We are going to hit that weight room and everything is going to be in conditioning. We are going to get bigger, faster, and stronger.”
Hammond HC Dorsett Buckels
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