PIKE ROAD — A week after a regional win against Percy Julian, Pike Road wanted to come into Friday’s game with Opelika showing more discipline and determination. The end results are what varies as the 7A Bulldogs took advantage of turnovers to defeat the 6A Patriots 31-20.
A muffed punt return by Pike Road was the first of several costly mistakes as Opelika recovered on the Pike Road 17-yard line and scored a few plays later on a 1-yard run by Javari Johnson for a 7-0 lead.
Throughout the rest of the quarter, Pike Road and Opelika exchanged punts, with a shanked punt by the Patriots giving Opelika great field position inside the 25-yard line. The Bulldogs turned the opportunity into a Calvin Hughley 4-yard touchdown run for a two-touchdown lead.