14 eye-catchers from Franklinton vs. Abbeville

Franklinton weathered a strong middle of the game by Abbeville to come up with the go-ahead score and final stops Thursday to survive a back-and-forth battle.   The teams, both on the outskirts of their respective metro areas, boast talented players with the potential to play at the next level.   Here's a look at more than a dozen eye-catchers who stood out in the team's non-district matchup, which the Demons managed to pull out, 33-30.     [player_tooltip player_id='1601758' first='Jacob' last='Crain'] — 6-2, 190 QB — Franklinton (2026)   The Demons' senior quarterback is still battling his way through a thumb injury, but showed the toughness and leadership that have helped make him such a critical piece of the resurgent program's success the past couple years. The even-keel field general weathered the ups and downs of the night and got the ball to his receivers in stride for big plays, including the go-ahead score late.   [player_tooltip player_id='1601779' first='DaMikies' last='McClain'] — 6-0, 165 WR — Franklinton (2026)   and Jayden Burkhalter — 5-10, 170 WR — Franklinton (2027)   The Demons did a good job of getting the ball to their speedy receivers on quicker hits to the perimeter, strikes deeper down the field or in the run game. Each converted big third downs, and each found the end zone on long catches-and-runs with the younger Burkhalter scoring in each half, including the late game-winner.   Samuel Braddy — 6-0, 210 DL — Franklinton (2026)   and Devin Harris — 6-0 DL — Franklinton (2027)   The upperclassman linemen came up with some of the biggest plays for the Franklinton defense with a first-half fumble recovery in the scrum by Harris and two late sacks by Braddy that helped shut down Abbeville lat.e   Rajon Covington — 5-8, 195 LB — Franklinton (2026)   The stout, physical linebacker flew around and racked up maybe as many tackles as anyone on the field, including plays behind the line and out to the sideline.   Dalton Freeman — 6-3, 205 TE/LB — Franklinton (2026)   The Demons' big tight end found the end zone for a long score of his own on a well-drawn up and executed play that got him free on the outside. But he also made a slew of other big plays that might not immediately pop out as much on the box score with his explosive blocking for his teammates, his punting and a good return of a short Abbeville kickoff.   [player_tooltip player_id='1804134' first='Jacolby' last='Campbell'] — 6-0, 170 WR/DB — Abbeville (2028)   and [player_tooltip player_id='1737483' first='Cameron' last='Samuels'] — 5-8, 165 WR/DB — Abbeville (2026)   The Wildcats' top two receivers were both major two-way playmakers Thursday as each hauled in both a touchdown and an interception. Samuels made diving catches in each end zone in the second quarter, coming back toward the goal line for a go-ahead touchdown early in the period and then picking off a hail-mary as time expired to keep the team on Franklinton's heels heading into the break. And Campbell broke himself wide open for a red-zone touchdown and an Abbeville lead in the third quarter, then made a leaping interception in the fourth.   Braylon Himel — 5-10, 160 WR — Abbeville (2026)   The senior finished with a team-high 91 yards, catching nearly ever target thrown his way and providing maybe the game's biggest highlight-reel play with a diving, fingertip fourth-down and touchdown grab just before halftime to pull the Wildcats back within one score before halftime.   Chayson Gray — 6-2, 220 ATH — Abbeville (2027)   The big linebacker/athlete was another of Abbeville's most versatile standouts as he flew around on defense as one of the team's most active tacklers, caught a couple passes on offense and served as a borderline goal-line cheat-code with his effectiveness as a wildcat ball-carrier on two-point conversions.   Dazavien Maze — 5-9, 150 QB/ATH — Abbeville (2026)   The Wildcats' quarterback was another tough to corral and tackle athlete at time with the ball in his hands, whether for a few solid gains on the ground or extending plays on his way to completing better than two-thirds of his passes. Maze connected on both deep shots and some tighter-window throws down in the red zone or along the sideline.   [player_tooltip player_id='1804136' first='Jazavion' last='Briggs'] — 6-2, 180 DB — Abbeville (2028)   Another of the Wildcats' promising young players to watch in the years to come, Briggs was among the team's tackle leaders, including a few stops behind the line.   Justin Montgomery — 5-9, 185 RB — Abbeville (2026)   The senior running back led the Wildcats' ground game with well over 100 yards — even with a couple of his longer runs coming back on flags — and a long touchdown dash. Montgomery is a thickly built athlete who keeps churning through contact, but also showed the speed to glide by and away from defenders in the open field.

Franklinton weathered a strong middle of the game by Abbeville to come up with the go-ahead score and final stops Thursday to survive a back-and-forth battle.