The Pike Liberal Patriots get back to region play this week as they travel to Autauga Academy Friday night.

The Patriots (4-2, 1-1) enter the home stretch of the season with an eye on finishing in the top four of the region to ensure a playoff berth. “We feel like we are playing pretty well,” said Gene Allen, Patriots head coach. “We are getting into the meat of the schedule now where we have to win. Hopefully we will play better this week and get better next week.”

Autauga Academy (3-3, 3-2) enters the game having lost their last three games.

The Generals come into the game averaging 22 points per game while the defense has let up an average of 25.

“It’s going to be tough,” Allen said. “Autauga has a good football team. This is one that we really need to win. They have had some injuries, offensively there going to be tough on us

The Patriot offense has taken some major strides during their non-conference schedule. In their wins against Evangel Christian, South Montgomery County Academy, and Chambers Academy the Patriots have scored a total of 149 points while averaging nearly 50 points per game.

“Offensively we feel pretty good,” Allen said. “We have played better and better the last three weeks. Hopefully that will continue to improve and do a great job this week.”

The Patriots will have to win these key region games to secure a spot in the playoffs.

“We know we still need to win some region games to get into the playoffs,” Allen said. “We have to win games we know that if we lose a couple of games we probably won’t get in. We need to make sure we are in the top four.

“We can’t afford to look ahead to anybody else, because if we can’t win this one there many not be another one,” Allen said. “It’s not to keep them from looking ahead Autauga has a good football team and next week Escambia has a good football team. These kids know they can’t look ahead, they need to win this game.”

For the Patriots to win these final three games, Allen believes they are going to have to cleanup their turnovers and penalties, both of which have hurt the Patriots in the past.

“Turnovers and penalties are always going to hurt you,” Allen said. “Hopefully we have cut down on that a little bit. We have gotten better at it the last three weeks. We need to be disciplined and not jump offside, or give up big plays.”

The Patriots lost in their last meeting with the Generals 14-9. Autauga Academy leads the all time series between the two schools 7-4.

The Patriots and Generals will kick things off at 7 p.m. inside General Stadium in Prattville.