After a slow start, the Pike Liberal Arts Patriots knocked off Lee-Scott academy 35-0 on Friday night in Troy.

The win for the Patriots improves their record on the season to 6-0.

Despite being undefeated, slow starts have plagued the Patriots throughout the season. That continued on Friday night.

“I thought we made adjustments at halftime,” said head coach Gene Allen. “I thought our kids played Pike football in the second half and we did some really good things.”

Missed opportunities by the Patriots offense led to a scoreless first quarter.

In the Patriots’ second drive of the game, they drove the ball inside the Warrior 10-yard-line before turning the ball over on downs.

After a five-yard punt gave the Patriots possession inside their own 5, the drive stalled and Scott Taylor Renfroe missed a 27-yard field goal.

“I know we missed two opportunities in the first half,” Allen said. “We had a couple of balls overthrown. They were doing some stuff that we should have taken advantage of. I don’t think we played very well in the first half, but give Lee-Scot credit.”

The Patriots finally took the lid off the scoreboard midway through the second quarter. After taking over on their own 45, the Patriots embarked on a nine-play drive that ended with quarterback Jade Sikes finding Davis Allen for a 22-yard touchdown pass that bounced off a Warrior defender.

The Patriots doubled their lead on their very next possession. Chip Faircloth took a handoff 35 yards to paydirt. The Patriots went into the locker room holding a 14-0 lead.

Faircloth filled in for the injured Cody Hollis on Friday. With 7:49 remaining in the third quarter, Faircloth took a handoff 61 yards for a touchdown to put the Patriots up 21-0.

Forcing turnovers has been a big boost for the Patriots this season. They forced two more in the second half, both of which led to Patriot touchdowns. Following a forced fumble by Max Copeland, Sikes rumbled his way for a five-yard touchdown on a quarterback keeper.

On the Warriors next possession, Copeland was at it again when he picked off a pass and ran it back 37 yards for the Patriots’ final score of the game.

The Patriots will be back in action next Friday night when they host Abbeville Christian on homecoming.