In its final tune up before the playoffs, the Patriots of Pike Liberal Arts School traveled to Autauga to do battle with the Generals.

However, by the end of the first quarter there was not much of a battle to be had.

The Patriots dominated the game from beginning to end jumping out to a 38-3 lead at half time and winning by the final score of 45-10.

“To win a game like this is a good feeling, especially going into the playoffs,” Patriots head coach Steven Kilcrease said.

“Our goal was to come into this game, get a win, make sure no one got hurt and to get prepared for the playoffs, and we did all of those things [Friday night].”

PLAS finished with 390 total yards, compared to Autauga’s 134.

“This was an awesome game for us,” Trey Walters said.

“We came out and took care of business early and really man handled [Autauga].

“To be able to relax the second half of a football game takes a lot of pressure off our shoulders,” the quarterback added.

Walters finished the game rushing for 49 yards and two touchdowns on five carries and also threw for 69 yards.

“I feel pretty comfortable going into the playoffs,” Walters said. “We are playing pretty good football right now.”

With the win, the Patriots close out the regular season with an 8-1 overall record, a 4-1 in AISA AAA Region 1, and a home playoff game.

Kilcrease said all this was possible because of how the team came together.

“I thought we got better as the year went on,” the coach said.

With the regular season over with, the Patriots now focus on defending the state championship against a familiar foe.

Like the 2008 season, PLAS will meet Marengo in the first round of the playoffs.

Going into that game, Kilcrease said his team is right where it needs to be.

“This is as healthy as we have been all season long,” Kilcrease said.

Walters believes his team is where it needs to be to make another post season run.

Walters said that last season, the most physical team the Patriots played during its playoff run was Marengo.

“It should be a pretty good game. They are going to come out fired up and so are we – we are going to have to hit them in the mouth early though if we want to win.”