STILL UNDEFEATED: Pike Road passes another test in win over Trojans

By TIM GAYLE

PIKE ROAD – The Patriots passed their most recent hurdle with hardly a hiccup, blasting Charles Henderson 50-0 on Friday for a homecoming victory that inched Pike Road (7-0) a little closer to its second consecutive unbeaten regular season and a 5A Region 2 crown.

The Patriots faced a challenge to open the season with a highly publicized meeting with Catholic and defeated the Knights 63-34 at Cramton Bowl. Next came the third-year program’s first region games as a 5A program after competing for the first two years in 3A. 

They checked off that box as well after an impressive 39-18 win at Andalusia over one of the perennial powers in the classification. 

The third obstacle was a little more troubling and could have long-lasting effects. In the midst of a 55-0 win over Tallassee, starting quarterback Iverson Hooks tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, cutting short a spectacular season. Hooks stayed in the game despite the injury but there were changes in store as soon as preparations began for Friday’s homecoming tilt with the Trojans.

“It doesn’t matter who we played,” Pike Road coach Patrick Browning said. “We faced a lot of adversity this week, losing our starting quarterback for the season. I challenged them to play a complete game like we did the week before. It shouldn’t matter who’s back there at quarterback or who’s at any position on our team. If we practice and play to a standard, then we’re going to come out and perform to what we expect the standard is.”

The standard was met on Friday as the Patriots scored on four of their six first-half possessions and returned an interception for another touchdown to lead 43-0 at halftime. The defense held the Trojans to one first down in the first half and new starting quarterback Eli Clark passed for 239 yards and three touchdowns in the win, but Charles Henderson (0-5) didn’t pose the same issues for a quarterback that future opponents will, particularly in the playoffs.

But anybody could have problems living up to the standard set by Hooks. The Reeltown transfer was well on his way to a special season, feasting on the potential of big-play receivers Blake Durham and Trey Wallace and the running of Quinshon Judkins along with a stellar defensive unit.

Into his shoes stepped Clark, a former wide receiver turned senior, and Wallace, a receiver who had never played quarterback in his life until Friday night.  

“I just had to make a sacrifice for my team so we can keep moving forward to reach our goal at the end of the season,” Wallace said. “It was actually fun. I just had to make a couple of adjustments and get used to playing live reps. I knew it wasn’t going to be perfect, but once I threw my first pass I was going to gain my mo-jo and find my rhythm.”

Clark looked a little more comfortable throwing the ball. He lost 12 yards on four carries, including a sack, but completed 10 of 15 passes for 239 yards, including four passes for 98 yards to Wallace. Wallace looked a little more like a Wildcat runner, gaining 24 yards on four carries but completing just 2 of 3 passes for 8 yards.

They may have different looks, but Browning insists they’re interchangeable.

“They did great for their first start,” Browning said. “Eli was awesome as our starting quarterback, Trey did a great job being a utility guy. He can play receiver, running back, quarterback, safety, punt returner, he can play anywhere you want. He’s one of the best athletes on the team and he displayed his versatility tonight.

“I think they both showed they have play-making ability and an ability to extend the play in different ways. I think they both did a tremendous job.”

Of course, talent helps inexperienced quarterbacks. Judkins, who had 132 yards on 18 carries, lined up beside the new quarterback and reprised his role, taking direct snaps and following his huge blockers to daylight. His 13-yard run put the first points on the scoreboard. On the next possession, Wallace took a quick pass from Clark in the left flat, turned the corner and accelerated past three Charles Henderson defenders on the way to a 71-yard touchdown sprint.

Moments later, Logan Shores stepped in front of a pass and returned the interception 31 yards for a touchdown to give Pike Road a 22-0 lead less than eight minutes into the game.

That kind of help can make anybody look good. And with games remaining against Headland, Greenville and Booker T. Washington before facing a third or fourth seed in the first round of the playoffs, Pike Road is a prohibitive favorite against whoever they play for at least another month.

It’s impossible to replace Iverson Hooks, but a month of role playing could help Clark and Wallace fill the void.

“It’s hard but we’re just going to have to do it,” Wallace said. “We have two players who can fill the role. We’ve just got to get them on board and get everything back to normal.”