Pike Liberal Art’s junior varsity team didn’t win, but they didn’t exactly lose Tuesday night.

The Patriots opened up their season against the Lee Scott Academy Warriors and tied them 6-6.

Head coach for the Patriots Wes Allen said in the team’s post-game huddle “the little things make big things happen.”

The team had several missed blocks, two offsides calls and two turnovers during the game.

“They weren’t pretty, at all,” Allen said. “Football is a simple game. It’s blocking and tackling. We didn’t do a good job with either of them tonight. We’ve just got to do the little things. If we can maintain our blocks better and do the little things, I think we have a chance to get better.”

While the Patriots tied the Warriors, there were a few players for the Patriots who stood out during the game.

Quarterback and defensive back, 14, Reed Jinright is just a freshman at Pike Liberal Arts, but he showed potential during the game as a quarterback making several complete passes toward the end of the game. Reed’s twin brother, Wood Jinright, 4, also showed potential in the game catching several passes from his brother.

Freshman running back and defensive back, Reed Johnson, 5, stood out bringing down several of the Warrior offenders. Allen said the players were a great addition to the team as leaders as well as athletes.

“They’ve all got some leadership ability,” Allen said. “They’ve all got some athleticism. They fight. They know how to work hard. They’ve just got to stand up and lead the team, lead these younger guys. Hopefully, that will carry over and spill over to the rest of the team.”

While it was a not so welcome ending to the game, Allen said the coaching staff and the team all learned something Tuesday night.

“They learned a lot tonight,” Allen said. “ Lee-Scott is a really good football team, and we will better for having played them. I learned a lot tonight. I wasn’t perfect. They weren’t perfect, so we’ll get better. Our most improvement this season will be form week one to week two.”

The Patriots will take next week off, but Allen said the Patriots would be back to play Sept. 9 after working on some of those little things.

“It comes with repetition,” Allen said. “They’re still young. I’m still learning the kids. We’re just going to get out there, do some reps and work hard.”