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The Pike Liberal Arts Pariots (6-3, 3-3) closed out Class 2A, Region 3 play on Friday night with a frustrating 41-0 loss to the Highland Home Flying Squadron (9-0, 5-0).

Highland Home dominated the contest from beginning to end. The Squadron took an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a 9-yard touchdown pass from TJ Washington to Tyler Chaney with 8:37 left in the first quarter. That lead was extended to 14-0 on a 4-yard run from Washington with 5:04 left in the opening period. An Austin Crittenden interception set up the score.

In the second quarter, Highland Home added a 92-yard touchdown pass from Washington to Chaney with 2:32 left in the half to go up 21-0. Just before halftime, Washington threw a 56-yard touchdown pass to Auburn commit Jakaleb Faulk. The 2-point try failed and Highland Home took a 27-0 lead into halftime.

In the third quarter, the Squadron scored on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Washington to Austin Norman to go up 34-0. In the fourth quarter, Highland Home capped off the win with a 20-yard touchdown pass from John Tanner Sexton to Crittenden to make the final score 41-0.

Pike managed just 57 yards of offense in the loss, all on the ground. Highland Home boasted 328 total yards with 123 yards rushing and 205 yards passing. Pike was also penazlied eight times for 75 yards.

Dalton Jordan rushed for 57 yards on 25 carries. All eight of Pike’s pass attempts were incomplete with with an interception. Michael Vaughn earned 58 yards on kick returns.

Pruitt Vaughan led the Pike defense with eight tackles and a tackle-for-loss, while Rhodes Baker earned seven tackles, two tackles-for-loss and a sack.

Pike will try to close out the regular season on a high night next Friday, Oct. 25, in the home finale against Loachapoka.

In other area competition, the Ariton Purple Cats thrashed the Samson Tigers in a Class 2A, Region 2 contest on Friday by a score of 34-0.

Ariton rolled up 299 yards of offense with 240 yards on the ground. Addison Senn completed 5-of-10 passes for 59 yards and a score, while Jayden Caple rushed for 85 yards and as core on two carries. Wells Ganey carried the ball five times for 76 yards and a touchdown.

Caple also returned a kick for a touchdown. Gabe Jones tallied seven tackles and a tackle-for-loss, while Bowen Jones earned five tackles.

Ariton hosts Geneva County next Friday in another region game.