The Pike Liberal Arts School junior varsity finished the first half of the season undefeated Tuesday evening after shutting out Autauga Academy 6-0.

It wasn’t much of an offensive performance for either team, but the Patriot defense more than compensated for the lack of offensive production.

“The story line on Tuesday night was the defense. It was a defensive struggle. They did some things defensively that gave us some problems,” said Patriot head coach Wes Allen. “We played sloppy on offense at times. But I am really happy about how well the defense played. The kids played hard it was a fun game. I don’t know if it was a fun game for me on the sidelines, but it was fun to watch.”

The Patriots scored on their opening drive of the game Tuesday night, going 71 yards in five plays. Trevor Barron finished off the drive with an 11-yard touchdown.

Jackson Blair led the Patriots in rushing with 105 yards on 13 carries.

Barron finished with a total of 34 yards on four carries including a run for 26 yards.

Blair and Max Copeland had a good day on the defensive side of the ball finishing with five and four tackles respectively.

The defense has played well all year long and Allen knows the importance of a good sound defense.

“We constantly preach as much as we can to get eight men to the football and do our jobs on the defensive side of the ball,” Allen said. “If everybody does that and works hard, hustles and gets to the football and to things that we need to do on the defensive side of the ball good things will happen and they have been happening.

The Patriots are undefeated entering the second half of the season but the ultimate goal for this team is not just the final record.

“We have several things that I want them to learn and take with them as they grow and that is to learn how to practice; learn to prepare; and do the things the right way,” Allen said.

“I also want them to be able to handle adversity. Football is a great way to teach them that.”

The Patriots will begin the second half of the season Tuesday night when they host Lakeside School at 7 p.m.