The Pike Liberal Arts JV Patriots traveled to Cecil this week to face the Macon East Knights and beat the Knights in a 21-0 shutout.

Spencer Floyd led the team defensively with seven tackles. Max Copeland was close behind Floyd with five tackles. Wood Jinright and Tristen Carter each had three tackles for the defense. Head coach for the JV Patriots Wes Allen said the defense played well during their game against the Knights.

“The defense played well,” Allen said. “They flew to the ball, created a couple of turnovers and just played well. They were real aggressive. We made a couple of mistake, but overall they did really, really well.”

Quarterback for the Patriots Reed Jinright went 3-4 on pass attempts for a total of 34 passing yards and had seven carries for 24 rushing yards, which included one touchdown. Reed Johnson, the running back for the Patriots, had 23 rushing yards on seven carries. Jackson Blair had one carry for six yards and 29 yards receiving on two passes, one of which led to a touchdown for the Patriots. Tristen Carter had five yards receiving off of one pass. Johnson had one touchdown in the game on the very first play. Floyd also scored for the Patriots on a sweep around right end. The Patriots went in to halftime leading 14-0, and Allen said the Patriots came out strong for the second half keeping the ball in their possession for majority of the third quarter.

“We got the ball back starting second half, so we kicked off at the beginning of the game and held them,” Allen said. “We got the ball back at second half and had a time consuming drive. We scored with maybe a minute left in the third quarter. We ran the ball and grinded it out. We converted two fourth downs.”

Allen said the Patriots were able to put in some second-string players during the fourth quarter, and they were able to hold the Knights at a goal line stand to cause a turnover on downs. “They were on the goal line about to score and our kids were able to preserve the shut out,” Allen said. “They iced the game on three offensive plays as time experienced. Everyone was real workman like. They did a lot of good things. I’m proud of them. I’ve been talking to them every week about getting better and they seem to be doing that. They’re responding well.”

The Patriots will travel to Hope Hull to face the Hooper Academy Colts, and Allen said the team is prepared.

“The kids are prepared,” Allen said. “It’s another road game, fourth in a row. This game is about what we control every game and our execution. If we can execute and run the ball stop the run and be the plus in the give away/take away column, we’ll do fine.”