The Pike Road Patriots had their hearts set on a victory, but their thrilling showdown against Prattville was a tale of two halves. It was a back-and-forth affair early on, with explosive plays from both teams setting the stage for a classic.
Prattville immediately struck with a bang, returning the opening kickoff 65 yards for a touchdown, electrifying their fans and putting Pike Road on their heels. However, the Patriots responded with resilience. After a Safety pulled them closer, Patrick Carter’s 11-yard touchdown run—set up by a crucial fumble recovery from Ben Shelton on a kickoff return—allowed Pike Road to take a 17-14 lead at halftime.
The third quarter showcased Pike Road’s offensive firepower, as quarterback Cason Myers connected with Omari Smith for a 70-yard touchdown, widening the lead. Smith, who was Myers’ go-to target throughout the night, finished with four receptions for 93 yards and two touchdowns. Elias Holtzclaw also hauled in a 14-yard touchdown pass from Myers, contributing to the Patriots’ offensive surge.
Despite Pike Road’s dynamic plays, Prattville refused to back down. Gavin Rigdon found his receiver for a 16-yard touchdown pass, cutting into Pike Road’s lead. After a missed extra point, the third quarter ended with Pike Road clinging to a 31-27 advantage.
Akeem Blackmon and Patrick Carter led Pike Road’s defensive efforts, combining for key tackles and defending critical passes. Corey Tims also had a strong showing, with three tackles and four assists, while Julius Lane made his presence known with a pass deflection.
However, the fourth quarter was when the momentum truly shifted. Prattville capped off a well-executed drive with Kevin Blue’s 7-yard touchdown run, reclaiming the lead. Pike Road, now trailing, attempted to muster a final push, but Blue sealed Prattville’s comeback with a breathtaking 55-yard run for a touchdown with just 1:30 left on the clock.
Ultimately, Pike Road fell short, 41-37, despite impressive individual performances. Running back Ja’Michael Jones’ 163 rushing yards and a touchdown weren’t enough to counter Prattville’s late-game heroics.
Pike Road must regroup as they prepare to travel to Enterprise next week, determined to bounce back from this narrow defeat.