Sports Writer

After a frustrating 1-7 start, Pike Lib’s seniors had endured all of the losing that they could stand. The Patriots took some of that frustration out on Hooper Academy as they pounded the Colts 34-8 at Patriot Stadium.

"I’m glad that our guys got a win, and I’m really proud of the whole team for working hard and scrapping the way they did," Coach Mack Williams said. "This is the first time that we beat a 3A school in three years."

The Patriot defense stepped up first and stripped the ball out of the hands of Hooper’s tailback. Cornerback Brandon Hill picked up the loose ball and ran it in for a 40-yard touchdown giving PLAS a 7-0 lead halfway through the first quarter.

Hooper fumbled the ball four times on the night and although they were 8-of-11 passing, they only managed 12 yards through the air. The Patriot defense held the Colts to 159 total yards in the game.

The Colts committed another turnover on their next drive and Druid Conrad recovered for Pike at Hooper’s 26 yard line. Quarterback Layton Sanders capped off the five-play drive scoring from five yards out. Sanders rolled right on a play action pass, and then cut up the middle to put the Patriots ahead 13-0 with 5:19 remaining in the first.

The luckless Colts couldn’t catch a break and were plagued by mistakes the entire game. On fourth down and four from their own 26 yard line, the Colts attempted to punt but the ball was mishandled. The punter did manage to regain his composure and get the kick away, but it only went six yards.

The Patriots were within striking distance again as they took over first down and 10 at Hooper’s 32 yard line. After three plays and a 10 yard penalty the Patriots were facing a fourth down and 11 from the 29 yard line. Sanders dropped back to pass and hit Druid Conrad on the line of scrimmage, Conrad then pitched to Lonnie Ward for a 14 yard gain and a first down. PLAS capitalized in the redzone for the third time in the first quarter to give the Patriots a 21-0 lead. Sanders connected with Brent Hill for a 14-yard score and a two-point conversion with 33 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

Hooper’s only points of the game came after Greg Edwards picked off a Layton Sanders’ pass. Hooper put together a seven-play drive that ended on a 2-yard run by Edwards. The Colts added a two-point conversion with 4:03 left in the second quarter.

Both defenses played strong in a scoreless third quarter.

"The third quarter has been our achilles heel all season," Williams said. "Tonight we played well in the third quarter and we didn’t lose focus."

Brandon Hooks recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter to set up a 7-yard touchdown run by Kevin Watkins. The Patriots increased their lead to 27-8 midway through the fourth. Sanders finished the game with 73 yards passing and 20 yards rushing. Ward gained 35 yards on the ground and Bill Hughes added 33 yards. Mark Brown had two receptions for 25 yards and Conrad had two catches for 20 yards.

Lance Wheeler recorded his third sack of the night on Hooper’s following drive, and after three plays the Colts were forced to punt. Sam Osborn ran through several tackles and spinned his way into the endzone from 11 yards out to cap off Pike’s scoring.

"I’m hoping we’ll get focused and be ready to play hard-nosed football against Dixie next week," Williams said.