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Wolves step into the “Franklinton Fire.”
Young Wolves take on highly regarded 4A Franklinton in Spring Game.
FRANKLINTON, LA—The Loranger Wolves left the warm workouts of spring drills this past Wednesday and stepped into the
“Franklinton Fire” on Thursday as the Wolves played their spring game against the Demons, a team that has collected a Class 4A
State Runner-up and a State Championship title over the past three years. The Wolves lost twenty seniors off last
year’s District 8-3A Championship team and are in a bit of a rebuilding mode but head coach Sam Messina has
wasted no time challenging his young charges. The Wolves stepped up in classification and scrimmaged a very good
Franklinton team on the road to close out spring drills.
“I thought in spots we really looked good,” said Loranger head coach Sam Messina.
“Our secondary stepped up and made a lot of plays and really they (Franklinton) did not do a lot against us in
the passing game. Their quarterback made some runs on us and they wore us down a little bit. They were bigger
and more physical than us, but I expected that. We scheduled these guys with a purpose in mind and that was to
see where we stand.”
It was a good night for backs wearing the number eleven jersey as Loranger senior Justin Zanders
made the most of six carries collecting 91 yards, while Franklinton’s Ron Robinson paced a solid Demon running game
rushing for 142 yards on 10 carries and two touchdowns.
“They (Franklinton) are a good football team and have one of the bigger sets of lines than we will
see this coming season,” continued Messina. “I was pleased with the attitude we played with and the effort was definitely there. We just have to keep working hard and get better.”
Turnovers and mistakes hurt both teams as the Wolves committed six turnovers including five
interceptions and collected 45 yards in penalties, while the Demons turned it over four times and racked up 85 yards
in penalties.
The two teams worked multiple ten-plays series working both JV and varsity units and
practiced the kicking game with Loranger senior Jake Ingraffia and Franklinton freshman Alvero Ocampo each
going two-for-two on field goals from 32 yards away from two different hash marks.
Loranger worked four different players at quarterback with junior Blaise Schillace and senior
Hagan Populis getting most of the varsity snaps. Schillace put it up 11 times completing seven for 42 yards,
and Populis went two-of-four for 23 yards.
The Demons dominated the scoring reaching the end zone eight times including five varsity scores
while pitching a shutout against the Wolves. Loranger’s deepest penetration was the Demon ten as they marched sixty
yards in seven plays before the drive stalled with three scoring attempts from the ten.
Luke Ingraffia is a Wildcat.
Senior safety signs letter to attend Louisiana College.
LORANGER—Loranger senior flanked by hia mother Chantel Ingraffia and Father Chuck Ingraffia along
with Loranger Principal Rhea Marrs, his brother Jake and Loranger head football coach Sam Messina, signed
a letter of intend to attend Louisiana College and play football for the Wildcats.
The Wildcats are coached by Dennis Dunn and play in the American Southwest Conference.
REGIONAL FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS
Wolves come up just short as Jennings Bulldogs hang on for 20-19 win.
Visiting Bulldogs end Loranger’s playoff run.
LORANGER—The Loranger Wolves saw their playoff run end Friday as a late rally by Loranger came up just short with
the visiting Jennings Bulldogs holding on for a 20-19 win. The Wolves rallied from 20-13 down to pull to within one when
senior Miguel Toefield scored from five yards out to pull Loranger to within one at the 5:44 mark of the final
quarter. Pressure brought by the Jennings defense on the point after forced a try for two that was not successful
and the Bulldogs stalled two more scoring attempts in the final minutes to secure the win as Malik Williams
intercepted a final Loranger pass ending the Wolves season.
“We had to keep fighting. We fought our way back into this one twice and our kids never quit,” said Loranger
head coach Sam Messina. “We had trouble stopping them in the first half, but our defense really stepped up in the
second half. We had some chances in the final quarter but were not able to convert. These kids had a great season,
and I am proud of the effort and all they accomplished.”
Jennings made quick work of their opening drive as Charlie Matte got loose in the middle of the Loranger
defense racing 54 yards for a touchdown on the Bulldogs second play from scrimmage. The point after was missed but Jennings
led 6-0 with 11:09 showing.
Loranger answered on its next possession marching 63 yards in a dozen plays for six. Senior Brelan
Dillon carried four times on the drive collecting 25 yards and a five-yard rumble into the end zone. Senior Gavin Oldham
booted the point after and Loranger took a 7-6 lead with 6:35 left in the first.
The Bulldogs regained the lead on their next drive marching 68 yards in just five plays. Matte
broke loose for a 55-yard run to set up the score that was cashed in on an 18-yard pass from Jaylon Boutte to Bryson
Jones. Seth Cox added the point after and Jennings took a 13-7 advantage with 4:44 left in the first. The score would
hold up to intermission as both defenses dominated play.
The Wolves evened the score early in the third period as seniors Deandre Bickahm and Luke Ingraffia
teamed up to collect a Jennings interception at the Loranger 40. Bickahm tipped a Boutte pass and Ingraffia hauled it in
setting the Wolves up at the Bulldog 40. Jennings forced a third-and-four, but senior Jeryl Brazil found a seam along the
sideline and raced 55 yards for the tying touchdown. The point after was blocked by Jennings’ Peyton Phelphs, but Loranger
knotted it at 13 with 7:04 left in the third.
Matte got Jennings on the board early in the fourth scoring from one-yard out with 7:57 left in the contest. Cox made good on the point after and the Bulldogs pulled ahead 20-13. The Wolves would answer on the next possession when Toefield scored, but a try for two failed and Jennings hung on for the win.
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2012 Season Standings
Loranger 9-2
Bogalusa 7-3
Sumner 6-4
Independence 4-5
Amite 3-6
Albany 1-8
2011 Season Standings
Amite 14-1
Loranger 10-2
Independence 7-4
Sumner 5-5
Albany 5-5
Bogalusa 1-9
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