PIKE ROAD — “It’s not personal at all.”
Those were the words that came out of Pike Road offensive coordinator J.C. Chandler’s mouth Friday night against his old predecessor. Coach Chandler was the OC at Wetumpka last year before he and his family made the move to come and help quarterback Cason Myers at Pike Road. This year, in this game, it was a battle for him and the football team before the Patriots finally prevailed 17-12.
The Patriots started off great with a 75-yard kickoff return that took them to the Wetumpka 25-yard line. You would think everything would be smooth sailing with the momentum shifting toward Pike Road, but the offense was not clicking the way Pike Road coach Granger Shook and Chandler envisioned. Pike Road was stopped on all three downs before finally sending out Conner Hall for a 27-yard field goal with 9:53 left in the first quarter.
At a 3-0 lead, the Patriots defense stopped the Indians the first time, with Jordan Holmes breaking up a pass play on third and long. Pike Road received the punt from Wetumpka but went three and out again, not picking up any momentum on offense. Wetumpka received the punt and found the end zone first with a 40-yard run by senior Jimmy King. The Indians missed the extra point, keeping the score at 6-3.