The Pike Liberal Arts Patriots continued its off season practice schedule Thursday afternoon when they hosted a seven-on-seven event for fans and to give the team the opportunity to work on various plays and formations they have been working on.

Along with the Patriots, Glenwood and Lee Scott High Schools were in attendance.

The event was free to the public, and it gave fans and players alike the opportunity to see how they faired against competition with new faces versus the team’s usual in practice scrimmages.

PLAS defeated Lee Scott 26-12 in game one and went on to shut out Glenwood in game two 22-0.

Reed Jinright finished the day going 17-21 with six touchdowns. Holman Outlaw finished 8-16 with two touchdowns.

“We are trying to get better for the fall,” said Patriot head coach Gene Allen. “It’s really good for us, because more than anything it gives our players the chance to compete. We are able to get a little running done and get some competition in that’s not against yourself. That’s always good. These guys get tired of played each other.”

In a seven-on-seven game the offense, which features a quarterback, running back, tight end and receivers go up against a defense that has its cornerbacks, linebackers and safeties.

More than anything the seven-on-seven drill situations give the offense the opportunity to work on its fundamentals and footwork.

“It’s really good for your offense, like your quarterbacks and receivers. It gives them the opportunity to work on their timing,” Allen said. “It also helps with their breaks and making sure they have the right routes, and catching the ball in traffic. The main thing is though they can get a chance to compete.”

The offense was successful Thursday afternoon for the most part, which was good news for Allen and the rest of the Pike Liberal Arts coaching staff.

“They did a pretty good job,” Allen said. “We have had some new receivers come in and get some work in, along with a new quarterback. It’s going to take some time for them, but stuff like this helps a lot.”

Summer workouts are in full force for Allen and the Patriots in preparation for the fall and the start of the football season.

“It’s been really good. It’s been hot, but we have had a real good turnout,” Allen said. “The kids have been working exceptionally hard, and we are looking for the start of the fall. We feel like we have a great group of kids. We have some things we have to get done, but we feel pretty good about where we are right now.”

These seven-on-seven events also give coaches the opportunity to put some competition on camera to review how far the team has come during these summer months and what they will need to work on once the fall practices begin.

“It lets us see what the kids have been doing,” Allen said. “The film helps us out a lot because it doesn’t lie. If one of the kids tell you he didn’t do something, you can always go to the film.”

This is not the only seven-on-seven event the Patriots will be involved in. The team will be in Greenville on Tuesday if next week for seven-on-seven drills at Fort Dale Academy. The Patriots will also travel to Huntingdon College in Montgomery on July 27-28.