CLASS 5A PREVIEW: Battle of rushing attacks in Pike Road-Pleasant Grove showdown
Quarterback Iverson Hooks (left) and running back Quinshon Judkins are part of the potent rushing attack for the Pike Road Patriots. (FILE PHOTO)
By GRAHAM DUNN
The Pike Road Patriots are playing for a state championship on Thursday thanks to several premium performances in the 33-0 win over Andalusia last week.
But none bigger than the efforts of running backs Quinshon Judkins and Anthony Rogers.
The two combined for 348 yards with Rogers, a freshman, scoring three times.
“A lot of practice,” stated the freshman, Rogers, who explained what makes the Pike Road rushing attack so good.
“Lots of practice.”
The Patriots will take their 13-0 record to Birmingham in search of the program’s first-ever state title against Pleasant Grove.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Protective Stadium.
Both Judkins and Rogers have surpassed 1,000 yards and throw in the 989 yards from quarterback Iverson Hooks, it provides a good indicator of why defenses have a hard time slowing down the Patriots offense.
Add the three rushers’ numbers together and it comes to nearly 3,400 yards.
Throw in the 1,013 passing yards for Hooks and the offense looks more daunting.
“We have used direct snap a lot,” Judkins explains. “It has worked most of the season.”
An explanation – the snap from center can go to the quarterback, Hooks. Or he will step aside and allow either Rogers or Judkins to take it.
It’s almost a “Notre Dame box” set but the backfield has only one or two backs as opposed to four.
“We’ve worked on some schemes but the credit goes to the kids,” Patriots coach Patrick Browning said. “They have worked so hard to get better every week. It keeps showing up every Friday.”
“We’ve been doing this all year,” Judkins added. “Maybe we are more focused. (Against Andalusia), we thought we would play our best and when we do that, nobody can beat us.”
The Patriots’ defense will get a test of its own against the Spartans rushing attack, led by senior Demarcus Lacey, who eclipsed the 2,000-yard mark last week with a 241-yard performance (and three touchdowns) in the semifinal win over Fairview.
Pleasant Grove quarterback Alex Young is a threat with his arm and his legs, passing for more than 2,200 yards and 31 touchdowns and just three interceptions. He also rushed for nine TDs this season.
Where the Patriots may have an advantage is their speed on the defensive front, led by Khurtis Perry and Jaylan Jarrett. Perry has 19 sacks and 18 tackles for loss. Jarrett has added 59 tackles and three sacks.
The Spartans have plenty of experience in the championship, having lost three straight in the finals. Last year’s loss was painful, having the lead in the second half only to lose to St. Paul’s, 29-21.
The year before may have been worse. The Spartans were stopped on the 1-yard line on the last play of the game and fell to Central-Clay County, 31-27.
The Patriots dealt with their own disappointment the last two years, falling in the second round each season.
“This will be our first time (in the championship), so we don’t now what to expect,” Judkins admits. “But we will be ready to play. I have no doubt about that.”