SMITHS STATION — The No. 4-ranked Pike Liberal Arts Patriots put another victory on the board Friday night. The offense, defense and special teams came together and the Patriots blanked No. 7-ranked Glenwood Academy, 21-0.

“That was a big win and I am proud of all of you,” Kilcrease said to his team after the game. “We have had a tough opening schedule with three ranked teams. You are the reason we are 4-0.”

After swapping punts with Glenwood on the first two possessions of the game, Pike (4-0, 3-0 AISA Class AAA, Region 1) found its rhythm on their second.

Following a 51-yard Gator punt and a 20-yard return by senior Douglas Hawkins, the Patriots set up shop at their own 30. Senior tailback Jerel Foster, junior quarterback Trey Walters, junior fullback Justin McLaughlin and the entire offensive line simply ran right at the Glenwood defense for an 11-play, 70-yard drive capped by a McLaughlin one-yard dive into the end zone and two-point conversion to put the visitors on top, 8-0.

Consecutive three and outs gave Glenwood their best field position of the night at their own 40. The Gators took advantage of the situation driving to the Pike nine yard line. The 10th play of the drive resulted in a bad snap and McLaughlin recovered at the 27.

Pike wasted no time adding their second score. Walters connected with senior wide receiver Bradley Floyd for 36 yards and Hawkins for 25 more. Foster would complete the drive with a seven-yard plunge into the end zone off right tackle.

PLAS was not satisfied with the 14-0 lead and stopped Glenwood to get the ball back before half. If not for a heads up play by the Gator quarterback to throw the ball away from his end zone, the defense could have added at least two points to Patriot lead.

Two attempted Hail Mary passes missed their mark and Pike went into half with a 14-0 lead.

The Patriots added the final score of the game on their first play of the second half, as Foster split the defense for 44 yards. Josh Taylor added the PAT.

Pike’s defense was the force of the second half. Patriot after Patriot stepped up and made the play that stopped any momentum Glenwood seemed to have.

In six possessions, Glenwood turned the ball over on downs three times, punted twice and ran the clock to triple zeros on their final possession. The stingy Pike defense held Glenwood to only 118 yards of total offense.

“It’s been a long time since Glenwood has been shut out,” Kilcrease said. “It was a great effort from our linebacker, d-line and secondary.”

Corey Goodson led the Patriots with 12 tackles while Nick McLaughlin added nine tackles and Hawkins had seven tackles

“The special teams also did an outstanding job,” Kilcrease said. “Their (Glenwood) kickoff play and speed scared me going in.”

Goodson negated that Gator speed by placing kickoffs in spots that held the Glenwood returners to 36 yards on four returns.

The Pike offense was consistent throughout the game. PLAS accounted for 338 yards of offense. Foster led the team with 152 yards and two scores on 21 carries. Hawkins added 11 carries for 78 and one reception for 26 yards. Walters threw for 61 yards.

Pike hosts Taylor Road Academy for Homecoming next Friday at Delaney Kervin Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.