TIM MATHIS

The Pike Liberal Art Patriots traveled north to Hooper Academy Friday looking to push their season record to 2-0, and they did just that with a 43-22 win.

The game plan was simple going in: “execute…and stop Morgan Faulkner (running back for Hooper),” said Patriots Head Coach Steven Kilcrease.

That’s exactly what the Patriots did holding Faulkner to only 11 yards rushing in the first three quarters while shutting out Hooper, 43-0 before subbing second-string defensive players in the fourth quarter. Faulkner finished the night with 114 yards rushing.

One of the biggest reasons the Patriots were able to stop Hooper’s offensive attack was the play of sophomore Nick McLaughlin who finished the night leading the Patriots with 15 tackles.

“I really felt like we came together as a defense tonight,” McLaughlin said after the game.

McLaughlin also ran the ball five times for 104 yards and a touchdown.

The Patriots took an early lead in this game and just never looked back.

They scored 22 points in the first quarter, and pushed the lead to 30-0 at half time.

Much of the early success can be attributed to junior running back/wide receiver Taylor Stephens who had a 20-yard run to set up the first touchdown of the night and on the ensuing Hooper possession returned a punt 63 yards to set up the second touchdown of the night.

The Patriots looked to run early but quickly changed their attention to passing. “We did some good things passing tonight, that’s where we needed the most work,” Kilcrease said.

Quarterback Trey Walters completed six of 13 passes for 149 yards and three touchdowns. He also added on touchdown on the ground.

Walters’ main target for the night was Sam Carroll who caught four passes on the night for 94 yards and two touchdowns.

After being up 43-0 after three quarters coach Kilcrease decided to put in some younger players, and Hooper scored all 22 of their points in the fourth quarter. The Patriots will play Fort Dale at home next Friday.