ERIC LORPRETE

It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.

Nothing could be more true for the Pike Liberal Arts School Patriots walked all over the Glenwood Gators, winning 50-0.

The Patriots played a stellar three-phase game of offense, defense and special teams to improve its record to 3-1 and 2-1 in region play.

Senior wide receiver Taylor Stevens accounted for three touchdowns, running back two punts to the end zone and added a third on the ground.

Senior tailback Daniel Powell did just as much damage rumbling his way to two rushing touchdowns and recovering a fumble that set up another score.

The Gators were unable to get their offense going thanks to a strong Patriot’s defense, which was led by linebackers Will Starling, Powell, and Sam Carroll.

The three combined for a total of 21 tackles.

The Patriots on the other hand came out firing as they scored on a Trey Walter’s touchdown on the opening drive and then saw Powell rush for his first touchdown of the night putting the Patriots up 12-0 to end the first quarter.

The second quarter was more of the same story as Stevens blazed his way to the end zone after a 63-yard punt return.

Powell followed that up with a fumble recovery, which he later turned into a rushing touchdown on the next offensive drive putting the Patriots up 31-0.

Going into half time the Gators’ offense had minus 18 yards compared to PLAS’ 199.

“For me personally, I think the loss from last week helped get us ready,” Stevens said. “I wanted to redeem myself from the last game.”

In the third, it was a Nick McClaughlin 62-yard physical touchdown run that put the game to rest but the final nails in the coffin came when Stevens ran for a 43-yard touchdown and then raced another punt return back to make the score 50-0 to end the quarter.

However, the Gators finally showed some fight in the fourth quarter, as quarterback Brandon Daily ran in a touchdown to end the shutout.

The stats of the game were as lopsided as the score as the Patriots out gained the Gators 302 to 60 in total offense, and also forced two Glenwood turnovers compared to the Patriots’ one.

After the game Patriots head coach Steven Kilcrease said he felt his team played a complete game.

“I’m proud of our response tonight after last week, our guys tackled better, were more physical and didn’t blow their assignments.”

Coach also mentioned that his team would take their bye week next week to correct mistakes and work on the basics.