Fresh off a 60-0 thrashing of Lyman Ward, the Pike Liberal Arts Patriots are looking to carry momentum into their contest with the Lakeside School Chiefs on Friday night in Eufaula.

Lakeside runs a mix between and traditional I-formation and a more open spread offense. Coach Gene Allen said that the Patriots will look to limit the Chiefs’ big play ability. “They’ve got two or three really good skill guys,” Allen said. “We’ll try to key in on them and stop them.”

Both Pike and Lakeside enter the contest at 1-2 on the season, so each team will be looking for a win to get back to .500 on the year.

Coach Allen has been pleased with the development he has seen in his offense over the past few games. Though the Patriots only ran 27 offensive plays against Lyman Ward, Allen says he has been impressed by the Patriots’ offensive improvement. “Were playing better offensively,” Allen said. “Each week we’re adding a little bit more to the playbook. We’re getting more confident and more comfortable with what we run.”

After being shut out by Morgan Academy in the season opener, the Patriot offense has steadily improved, putting up 14 in a loss to Lee-Scott before exploding for 60 last week against Lyman Ward.

Allen summed up the Patriots’ offensive philosophy by saying, “We’re going to keep doing what is working for us.”

The Patriot defense has also shown a steady improvement over the season. After giving up 93 points in the first six quarters of the season, the Pike defense has shut out opponents over the next six quarters.

Allen said that he was stressing basic fundamentals on defense such as staying in position and wrapping up the ball carrier. “We’re just building confidence right now. We won last week, and we’re looking to turn it into another win.”

Last year, the Patriots fell to Lakeside 33-14 in Troy. Lakeside leads the all-time series with the Patriots 15-11-1. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in Eufaula.