Patriots whip Autauga
Published 2:06 am Saturday, November 1, 2008
Douglas Hawkins caught a 17-yard touchdown, rushed for a two-yard touchdown and returned a punt 62 yards for a touchdown as the Pike Liberal Arts School Patriots took care of Autauga Academy 34-6 on Senior Night at Delaney Kervin Stadium Friday.
Hawkins, a senior, compiled 128 total yards on the evening to go along with the three touchdowns. Fellow senior, tailback Jerel Foster, added 152 yards and one touchdown on 18 carries.
“It was a good win for our seniors to end the regular season on,” PLAS head coach Steven Kilcrease said. “We played sloppy at times, but we made the big plays when we needed them.”
Kilcrease was just happy to get out of the final regular season game with a win and without any nagging injuries.
“We are glad that one is over and now we can focus our attention on the playoffs and Marengo Academy,” Kilcrease said.
The Patriots did get the younger members of the team some playing time and Kilcrease was happy with what he saw.
“Everybody played tonight and we saw some good things out of our younger guys,” he said.
Junior Blake Thomas had four tackles, one sack on a punt attempt and one interception.
Justin McLaughlin scored the opening touchdown of the game for PLAS.
“Blake had probably his best game of the year tonight,” Kilcrease said.
The Patriots struck first when Justin McLaughlin powered the ball in from two yards out in the first quarter for a 7-0 lead after a Josh Taylor PAT.
Hawkins scored his rushing touchdown later in the quarter to give Pike a 14-0 lead after another true PAT from Taylor.
Foster scored his only touchdown of the game in the third quarter from eight yards away and the Patriots led 20-0. Walters connected with Hawkins for the 17-yard score through the air and Taylor booted the PAT through for a 27-0 lead.
Hawkins took a punt 62 yards to the house for a 34-0 PLAS lead after another true PAT from Taylor and Autauga scored late in the game, but failed on the PAT for the 34-6 final.
The Patriots had 299 yards of total offense and they held Autauga to 114 total offensive yards. McLaughlin and Bradley Floyd each had a reception for 25 yards in the game.
Senior Corey Goodson had eight tackles and an interception and Nick McLaughlin added seven tackles.
The Patriots open the AISA playoffs when Marengo travels to Dewight Ward Field at Delaney Kervin Stadium next week.