Pike Liberal Arts’ Termite, Pee Wee and Junior Varsity football squads pulled off a clean sweep Tuesday night at home as all three teams defeated the Hooper Colts from Hope Hull.

The Patriot Termites got things started as they overcame a 6-0 half time deficit to defeat the Colts 8-6.

The first half saw the Patriots get inside the Colt 10 on two occasions. On both drives, the Patriots lost the ball with a fumble.

The Patriots started the second half with the ball and used almost the entire 3rd quarter to drive to the Hooper 7 yard line, only to lose the ball on downs. However; on the next Colt possession, a strong Patriots defense forced a fumble and Christian Clark recovered the ball at the Colt 12.

This opportunity was not lost as Reed Jinright scored the touchdown to tie the score at 6-6 and added the two point conversion giving the Patriots the 8-6 lead.

On Colts next play, an aggressive Patriot defense stripped the ball again. This time Austin Allen scooped it up for Patriots. The Patriots then ran out the clock to secure the victory.

Also in the game, Cason Murphree snagged an interception and Jackson Murphy recovered a fumble for the Patriots in the first half.

Coach Ashley Floyd was very pleased with the outcome of the game.

“Other than the one long run by the Colts,” said Floyd, “our defense completely dominated the game. Also, I thought the line blocked well and the backs ran hard. It was just a total and complete team effort.”

The Pee Wee team would not be outdone by their younger school mates and posted a 22-12 come-from-behind win of their own.

Hooper won the toss and use the entire first quarter to drive 70 yards for the first score of the game, capped by a 14 yard pass to the Colt tight end.

The Patriots fumbled on their second play from scrimmage, but would return the favor forcing a fumble of their own just two plays later. The Patriots would drive to the opponent’s one yard line where the Colt defense held Pike on downs with 30 seconds left in the half.

The Colts next play would result in a safety; 2 points from the Patriots and possession of the ball at the fifty. With 22 seconds left, Pike took the next play 50 yards on a scoring strike from quarterback Austin Ingram to tailback Rush Hixon putting the Patriots on top 8-6 at half.

Pike took the initial second half possession 70 yards on 3 plays; Ingram to Hixon for 18 yards, Hixon for 12 yards and Ingram for the remaining 40 and the score.

Another time consuming Hooper drive would pose them first and goal at the eight. In somewhat of a role reversal, Pike’s defense came up with a goal line stand of their own allowing only 7 yards on four plays.

From their own one yard line, Pike’s offensive line opened up a hole right in the middle of the Colt defense and Ingram exploited it for 99 yards and the Patriots final score.

Linebacker Drew Starling would lead all Patriots with 10 tackles, while Ingram totaled 9 and Conner Wood, Trey Davis and Coleby Roberts had five tackles each. Hixon added a timely sack and Kevin Boling, Hayes Lee and Murphy Renfroe had a multi-tackle game.

Ingram carried seven times for 180 yards for the Patriots and Hixon added 28 yards on the ground and 85 yards on 4 receptions.

The JV night cap was played under torrential rains. The light sprinkle experienced at the end of the Pee Wee game gave way to several heavy showers during the next 48 minutes of football.

Despite multiple fumbles by both teams, the game was better than expected as Pike totaled 233 yards on the ground and 28 through the air in a 26-12 win over the Colts.

Now 6-0 on the season, Coach Bob Pickett gives all the credit to the hard work the players have put in this season.

“They (the players) keep giving it ever week; practice and games,” Pickett commented. “I am very proud of all of them. It is a good group of kids.”

Tailback Greggory Barnette would lead the Patriots offense accumulating 132 yards on ten carries including three touchdowns and a couple of receptions for 25 yards. Quarterback Nick McLaughin would add a score as he and wingback Chandler Avant would provide the remaining yards on several carries apiece.

Ross Herring was perfect (1 for 1) on the night as he kicked his first PAT.

Blake Floyd anchored the defensive side of the ball totaling six and a half tackles and an interception holding the Hooper offense to only 85 yards for the game. McLaughlin, Barnette and Dustin Newman added 4 tackles each and Kimball Stacey accounted for three and a half.

All three teams will conclude their regular season schedules next Tuesday as they visit Prattville Christian Academy.