Second straight shutout for Pike Patriots

Staff

Published Saturday, September 27, 2008

Photo by Danny Sanders

Pike Liberal Arts senior Jerel Foster runs past the Taylor Road defense in the Patriots' 36-0 shellacking of the Tigers Friday night on Homecoming.

The Pike Liberal Arts Patriots won a second straight shutout victory with a 36-0 Homecoming win over Taylor Road Academy Friday night.

“They are a very athletic team,” Pike head coach Steven Kilcrease said. “They scared us (coaches) going in. They are quick and they are fast.”

Pike took control of the game early in the second half after an ominous start to the night.

Pike’s first play of the night resulted in a turnover as senior Bradley Floyd’s reverse pass was intercepted by aTiger cornerback. The Pike defense stiffened, stood strong and forced a punt.

Pike’s offense responded with a 91-yard six-play drive to pay dirt. Senior wide out Douglas Hawkins carried twice and senior tailback Jerel Foster added four carries for 84 yards including a 65-yard scamper to the Tiger nine yard line. Two plays later Foster would stick it in from the six.

Foster again scored on a three-yard plunge late in the half after the Patriot defense forced an interception at their own three yard line.

The Patriots showed their strength on their first four possessions of the second half. The defense forced Taylor Road to punt on the first and four plays later Hawkins scored on a 11-yard dash.

The Tigers next drive came up short as Blake Thomas intercepted aTiger pass and Foster, Hawkins and junior fullback Justin McLaughlin combined for 10 carries, 43 yards and a score on Hawkins’ second touchdown of the night from 13 yards out to increase the Patriot lead to 29-0.

Hawkins concluded his night and the Pike scoring two possessions later when he returned a Tiger punt 46 yards for a touchdown.

“It seemed a bit ugly to us, but a Homecoming win is good for everyone,” Kilcrease said. “Defensively we played really well.”

Taylor Road threw for 164 yards on 29 attempts, but was held to negative rushing yards on the night until the final play of the game when the Tiger quarterback scrambled for 27 yards bringing the visitors' total rushing to 21 yards.

Senior linebacker Corey Goodson again led the Patriots in tackles with eight on the night. Junior linebacker Will Starling and freshman defensive back Nick McLaughlin were close behind with seven tackles each. Hawkins and Josh Taylor added five apiece. Thomas and Floyd had interceptions and Jackson Nelson recovered a fumble to stop Tiger drives.

Offensively, Foster had 16 carries for 193 yards and two touchdowns, while Hawkins had 87 yards rushing on 14 attempts and two scores. Hawkins also added 97 yards and a score on three punt returns.

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