Covington High’s Fighting Lions host the Denham Springs Yellow Jackets tonight at Jack Salter Stadium. Lions’ first-year coach Malter Scobel got things off on the right foot in a rare Sunday afternoon game, defeating the Franklinton Demons, 21-14, on the road. The contest was moved to Sunday due to Hurricane Ike.

Scobel has his players believing in his system as the Lions snatched a road victory from a talented Franklinton squad that went 12-1 last year.

“It’s a big step forward for us,” Scobel said. “It’s an early reward for all the hard work the players and coaching staff have put in. The players battled for a full 48 minutes to get the victory. That is something we have preached to them from the beginning. To feel the joy of winning was special.”

CHS'€™ Skyler Lott (3) tackles Franklinton'€™s LeSean Williams in Sunday'€™s game with help from a teammate. CHS'€™ Jordan Bedford (4) and Franklinton'€™s Brian Dykes (10) close in on the play. CHS hosts Denham Springs tonight at Jack Salter Stadium. (Pontchartrain Newspapers file photo by Jacob Brooks)

Scobel said Denham Springs has a good running game.

“They can mix it up running straight at you or can take it outside. We have to be solid up front on the defensive line. We have to be sure handed with our tackling,” he said.

Lions’ junior running back Phillip Bickham continued his impressive play, rushing for 111 yards on 21 carries against Franklinton. Junior quarterback Tyler Scott went 5-of-11 passing for 59 yards.

The Lions had a number of players turn in strong games on the defensive side of the football. Junior safety Denizel Ladner had five solo stops and three assists.

He closed out the victory picking off a Terrance Magee pass with only 40 seconds to play. He also blocked a field goal attempt in the first half. Junior defensive end Jeremiah Sasso came up with a crucial play, hitting the Franklinton quarterback, forcing the ball into the air, with junior linebacker Ryan Robinson grabbing it getting into the end zone from 5 yards out. Robinson also caused a fumble and recovered it for the Lions late in the third quarter. Franklinton had marched down the field, fumbling at the Lions’ 5-yard line.

CHS junior linebacker Kyle Crouch was credited with five individual tackles and five assists. He made two stops behind the line of scrimmage.

Denham Springs (1-0) blanked East Ascension, 20-0, at home to open its season. The Yellow Jackets rushed for 220 yards and gained 70 yards through the air.

Dru Nettles, who is in his fourth-year as the Yellow Jackets’ head coach, said he starts 17 seniors. He said his club plans on pounding the ball inside to control the clock.

“We return six starters on offense. We had good field position throughout our victory against East Ascension. It was a solid game in all aspects,” Nettles said.

The Yellow Jackets finished 3-7 last year, losing three games after having leads going into the fourth quarter.

Denham Springs’ offense runs out of an I-formation featuring senior tailback John Simon (5-11, 229).

The other running backs are senior Justin Lathers (5-7, 165) and senior fullback Joseph Ryan (5-10, 210). Senior quarterback Kevin Long (5-11, 175), a three-year starter, calls the shots for the Yellow Jackets. Senior slot receiver/punt returner Kevin Moss (5-8, 155) is the top receiver. Junior right guard Joe Henderson (6-2, 315) anchors the offensive line.

The Yellow Jackets’ defense, which runs a 4-2-5 returns seven starters. Some of the top defenders include senior free safety Tony Erwin (5-11, 185), senior end Jordan Severio (6-1, 220), junior tackle Elliot Scott (6-2, 285) and senior lineman Jared Bond (6-2, 230), who will also play some fullback.

Senior place kicker Josh Lewis showed a strong leg last week, booting two field goals covering 57 and 32 yards.

“He is a big aspect for us. All five of his kickoffs last week went for touchbacks,” Nettles said.

Nettles said coach Scobel has his team excited, playing with a new attitude.

“He is a defensive-minded coach. They are aggressive on defense and are playing solid early in the year. Offensively, they have an athletic quarterback (Tyler Scott) and a tough runner in Phillip Bickham. He’s a rangy, slashing type runner. Any time you can outrun the Franklinton defense, you have good speed,” Nettles said.