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The Pike Liberal Arts Patriots outscored Crenshaw Christian 35-6 in the second half and knocked off the Cougars 42-12 in the season opener in Troy on Friday night.

The win for the Patriots gives new head coach Mario White his first ever win as the coach of the Patriots.

In a driving rainstorm, both teams combined to score just 13 first half points. The Patriots jumped on the board with their first touchdown of the season when quarterback Mayes White connected with Elijah Caldwell for a 62-yard touchdown completion with 8:18 remaining in the opening quarter.

The Cougars responded late in the first with a 7-yard touchdown run. After a missed two-point conversion attempt, the Patriots held a 7-6 lead.

The Patriots hand two touchdowns wiped off the board Friday night thanks to penalties. The first was an illegal procedure call, wiping out a 29-yard touchdown reception.

The Patriots took the opening possession of the second half. A 21-yard catch and run on fourth and 11 by Caldwell set the Patriots up in Cougar territory. White finished the drive with an 11-yard touchdown run. After a botched snap on the point after attempt, the Patriots held a 13-6 lead with 6:33 remaining in the third quarter.

The Patriots forced a turnover on downs on the Cougars’ next possession. White scored his second rushing touchdown of the night when he scampered in from 14-yards out. After a failed two-point conversion attempt, the Patriots held a 19-6 lead with 3:39 remaining in the third.

Jackson Senn had a big hit on the Cougar quarterback that led to what looked like a fumble recovery for the Patriots. It was determined the quarterback’s arm was moving forward and it was an incomplete pass. Shortly after, the Patriots forced another fumble that was recovered by Jamarion Fuller.

Calldwell and the Patriot offense capitalized on the turnover. Caldwell hauled in a 16-yard touchdown pass by White. The Patriots led 26-6 with 1:13 remaining in the third.

After the Patriot defense forced a safety, the Patriot’s put the game away with a six-yard touchdown catch by senior Jay Taylor.

Mario Davenport closed out Pike’s scoring with an interception returned for a touchdown.

The Patriot offense finished with 267 yards of total offense, 184 of them came through the air. White completed nine of his 12 passes for the 184 yards. Caldwell finished with six catches for 132 yards to go along with his two touchdowns.

White led the Patriots ground attack with 41 yards on 10 carries.

The Patriots will be back in action next Friday night when they host the Hooper Colts.