FOOTBALL POWER RANKINGS as of 9/30/11 (Troy Messenger)

 



1. Zion Chapel (4-1 Overall, 2-1 Region)
The Rebels picked up another big victory over Kinston, 12-6.
While Zion Chapel were slowed offensively, their defence stepped up to the challenge in preserving the win.
2. Goshen (3-2, 2-1)
After starting 0-2, the Eagles look to all but lock up a playoff berth with a win over Calhoun this week.
3. CHHS (2-3, 2-1)
Charles Henderson lost another tough one, this time one the road to Greenville. The Trojans have lost their three games this season by a combined 11 points.

4. Pike Liberal Arts (3-2, 1-2)

Pike looked to be hitting on all cylinders in a 45-20 win over Hooper last week. Prattville Christian comes to Troy to tangle with the Patriots in a rematch of the 2010 AISA first round playoffs. Pike won, 34-16.
5. Pike County (0-5, 0-3)
Pike County will face another tough challenge as they look for their first win of 2011. The Bulldogs travel to Opp, who is 3-2 this season.

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FOOTBALL PREVIEW by Wes Johnson (TROY MESSENGER)

Prattville Christian (1-5, 1-2) at Pike Liberal Arts (3-2, 1-2) Pike rounds out their non-region stretch with a rematch of last season’s first round playoff contest with the Panthers. Prattville Christian has struggled thus far and catch a Patriot squad who is beginning to peak. Running back Nick McLaughlin has rushed for over 250 yards in both of Pike’s last two games. Look for more of the same for the Patriot offense.

Click here to read about the other games in our area...

Patriots fall to AISA’s top team

Link to Original Article
by Wes Johnson

VOLLEYBALL

Pike Liberal Arts might have lost a tough match to top-ranked Prattville Christian but they proved to themselves they can play with anyone.  “We have a good team,” head coach Mendy Avant said. “These girls gained a lot of confidence tonight.” An undefeated Panther squad was pushed to five games for the first time this season before walking away victorious, 3-2. Pike fell in the first game 24-26 before rebounding to take the next two 27-25, 25-16. PCS imposed their will in the final two frames 13-25, 12-15.
.... [read entire article]

PLAS ROLLS, 45-20

Link to Original Article
by Wes Johnson

Troy Messenger Photo

PATRIOTS WIN HOMECOMING GAME!


Pike Liberal Arts crowned a new homecoming queen last night, but they also showed that they are back on the rise to being kings of the AISA world as they steamrolled a potent Hooper team 45-20.
The Colts, having scored 30+ points in three of their five games, came into Pike County looking for a shootout with the Patriots. Pike Liberal was up for the challenge, playing phenomenally in the first half as they scored touchdowns on all six of their first half drives “I thought we came out in the first half and played really good,” head coach Stephen Kilcrease said..... [read entire article]

THE PATRIOTS FACE HOOPER ACADEMY IN HOMECOMING BATTLE...

Tonight the PIKE PATRIOTS will look to improve on their 2-2 start as they take on the Hooper Colts at homecoming.  The week has been filled with homecoming activities at PLAS.  Now, the football team needs to come out and take care of business and end homecoming week with a victory!  BE THERE AND BE LOUD! GO PATS!

RED, WHITE, AND BLACK LIGHTS...

Link to Original Article
by Wes Johnson 

The week started with Pike Rules Day on Monday. The school dressed as Kings and Queens and held a contest for the class with the most participation.  Tuesday was Kick the Colts Day that featured a Kung Fu theme. The fun continued Wednesday as Hook Hooper saw the student body get into their pirate gear. Thursday served as School Spirit Day where the students wore their homecoming t-shirts. Today is Dress Up Day and will show off who is best dressed. The Troy Fire Department led in the team to Thursday’s pep rally with the cheerleaders riding in on Engine 3....[read entire article]

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HITTING THEIR STRIDE...

Link to Original Article
by Wes Johnson

Troy Messenger Photo

Pike Liberal Arts picked up a milestone victory in their program’s history Monday. The Patriots knocked off two-time defending state champion Morgan Academy for the first time in the school’s history, 3-1. Pike took the match by the scores of 30-28, 18-25, 25-23, 25-16. The Senators defeated Pike in a thrilling five-set match earlier this season but the loss may have helped the Patriots as the team has gelled since the heartbreaker in Selma......
[read entire article]

PLAS RANKED 8th IN LATEST AISA POLL...

AISA RANKINGS (Week of 9/19/11)

1. Bessemer Acad. (15) (5-0) 328
2. Monroe Acad. (14) (4-1) 311
3. Edgewood Acad. (1) (4-0) 267
4. Springwood (2) (5-0) 232
5. Patrician (3-1) 175
6. Crenshaw Chr. (4-0) 114
7. Glenwood (3-2) 106
8. Pike Liberal (2-2) 85
9. Lee-Scott (3-1) 59
10. Autauga Acad. (5-0) 40

Others receiving votes: Tuscaloosa Acad. (4-0) 38, Hooper Acad. (4-1) 31, Fort Dale Acad. (2-2) 27, Clarke Prep (2-2) 4, Lowndes (2-3) 4, Chambers Acad. (3-1) 2, Macon-East (1-3) 1.

Patriots Shut Out Ashford Academy

Link to Original Article by Wes Johnson 

Pike Liberal Arts spoiled Ashford Academy’s homecoming by defeating the Falcons 27-0 at Layton Field Friday night. The Patriots once again used a strong ground attack led by Nick McLauglin to overpower Ashford. The senior running back accumulated 263 yards rushing on 21 carries for the night with a touchdown. McLaughlin would also throw for a score in the fourth quarter...[read entire article]

DOWN BUT NOT OUT...

Link to Original Article by Wes Johnson 


Adding Wayne Grant to the coaching staff is only one of a few changes the Patriots will be looking to make over the next several games. Pike Liberal Arts has three consecutive games against non-region opponents, Ashford, Hooper and Prattville Christian and will be looking for improvement from multiple areas. For starters, Pike’s defense must stop the big plays. Macon-East beat them up through the air and Monroe pulled away late with long scoring plays in the fourth quarter. The Volunteers scored on a 35-yard pass and a 65-yard run late in the contest. “We’ve got to work on ourselves,” head coach Steven Kilcrease said. “We can’t give up plays like we have been”..... [read entire article]

OUT OF GAS

Link to Original Article
by Wes Johnson 



Troy Messenger Photo

 You could feel the electricity in the air as two AISA powerhouses locked horns in a pivotal matchup that would surely determine the region rankings. The game was shaping up to be a slobber knocker fight between Pike Liberal Arts and Monroe Academy, until the Volunteers turned up the heat in the second half and left the Patriots in the dust, defeating Pike Liberal 32-14 and showing everyone in Pike County why they are the AISA’s top ranked team..... [read entire article]

GAME PREVIEW

Troy Messenger Article
Monroe Academy (2-1, 1-0) at
PLAS (1-1, 1-1)

The No. 6 Patriots aim to rebound from last week’s 34-28 loss to Macon-East. They will look to do so against a formidable foe. The top ranked Monroe Academy Volunteers pay a visit to Dwight Ward Field in a matchup of perennial powers.

Two-time defending state champion Pike lost to Monroe twice last season including in the playoffs. The Volunteers then fell in the state championship game to Ft. Dale.

The Patriots have never defeated Monroe in four tries. The Volunteers were a AISA 2A power for years before making the move to 3A in 1998.

Monroe lays claim to seven state title with the last coming in 2009 (Monroe played in 2A in 2008-09).

CLASH OF THE TITANS

Link to Original Article
by Wes Johnson

Troy Messenger Photo

Patriots look to rebound against No. 1 Monroe

As Pike Liberal Arts prepares to face the top ranked team in the AISA, head coach Steven Kilcrease knows his team must shake off last week’s disappointing 34-28 loss to Macon-East. The Patriots fell from second down to sixth in this week’s ASWA poll but that is the last thing on the Pike’s mind. Monroe destroyed the Patriots last season in two matchups by a combined score of 72-7.... [read entire article]

PIKE LOOKS TO REBOUND AGAINST #1 MONROE...

Troy Messenger Photo

Troy Messenger Preview...
Monroe Academy (2-1, 1-0) at
PLAS (1-1, 1-1)

The No. 6 Patriots aim to rebound from last week’s 34-28 loss to Macon-East. They will look to do so against a formidable foe. The top ranked Monroe Academy Volunteers pay a visit to Dwight Ward Field in a matchup of perennial powers.

Two-time defending state champion Pike lost to Monroe twice last season including in the playoffs. The Volunteers then fell in the state championship game to Ft. Dale.

The Patriots have never defeated Monroe in four tries. The Volunteers were a AISA 2A power for years before making the move to 3A in 1998.

Monroe lays claim to seven state title with the last coming in 2009 (Monroe played in 2A in 2008-09).

Patriots fall, Rebels rise in Power Rankings

Link to Orginal Article

by Wes Johnson

The second edition of The Messenger’s Power Rankings are hot off the press. These rankings do not reflect whether one team is better than another in a head-to-head matchup. They only show our opinion of how well each team is playing in comparison to others in the area. So here they are:
1. Zion Chapel (2-0, 1-0) Last Week: 2
The Zion Chapel Rebels are No. 1 not only because they are the only 2-0 team in the area but because they have scored at will. The Rebels must keep it up, however, as the schedule get a lot tougher.
2. Charles Henderson (1-1, 1-0) LW: 3
The Trojans are improving and if the strong running game continues CHHS could make a run at a region title.
3. Pike Liberal Arts (1-1, 0-1) LW: 1
The Patriots fall from the top slot after suffering a 34-28 loss to Macon-East. Pike’s secondary was shredded for over 200 yards passing. McLaughlin did carry for 225 yards but he can’t be a one-man band if the Patriots want to compete for a state title..... [read entire article]

VICTORY SERVED...

Link to Original Article
by Wes Johnson

The Pike Liberal Arts Lady Patriots upended Ft. Dale Tuesday afternoon in straight sets 25-23, 25-22, 25-13. The win lifts Pike’s record to 4-3 overall and 2-3 in region play. Head coach Mindy Avant feels that the team is getting stronger despite their youth...... [read entire article]

2011 JV FOOTBALL ROSTER...

Click here to view and print the 2011 PLAS JV FOOTBALL ROSTER...

GO PATRIOTS!

PLAS falls in shocker, 34-28

Link to Original Article
by Wes Johnson

Pike Liberal Arts stumped their toe in Cecil Friday night as the second-ranked Patriots fell to Macon-East 34-28 in their first region game of the season.  The Patriots (1-1, 0-1) fell behind, 14-0, early before the offense could get them back in the game.  Josh Starling hooked up with Taytom Barnes in the second quarter for a 37-yard strike to bring the Patriots back to within eight, 14-6.  Nick McLaughlin would score on a 5-yard run just before half and convert the two-point conversion to tie the game..... [read entire article]

PIKE FOOTBALL HITS THE ROAD IN BIG MATCH-UP VS. MACON EAST!

Tonight the PLAS Patriots will take a 1-0 record on the road against Macon East of Montgomery.  The Patriots have a 4-7 record against Macon East.  However, last year, the Patriot destroyed Macon East by a score of 40-7.  Let's take a large crowd and cheer on our Patriots!

DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO MACON EAST - CLICK HERE

GO PATRIOTS!!!

LISTEN NOW! - HEAR THE LASTEST IN HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS....

LISTEN NOW! - HEAR THE LASTEST IN LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS....The "Sports Cafe" podcast is hosted by The Troy Messenger.  Join us as we discuss local high school football (includes PLAS news!).

No.2 Patriots remain only ranked area team

Link to Original Article
by Wes Johnson

The Pike Liberal Arts Patriots remain the only area team ranked in the Alabama Sports Writers Association poll and also remain ranked second behind Monroe. The Patriots received five first place votes after their victory over Lyman Ward.... [read entire article]

PATRIOTS LOSE NEWMAN FOR SEASON...

Link to Original Article
by Wes Johnson

The Pike Liberal Arts Patriots will be without a valued member of their team for the remainder of the season.

Junior Dustin Newman cracked his T-5 vertebrae during a kickoff in last week’s game against Lyman Ward Military Academy.

The injury came just over three minutes into the contest. Newman was stabalized and carted off on a stretcher. He was taken for evaluation via ambulance.

While head coach Steven Kilcrease is saddened to lose a player for a season due to injury, Kilcrease said he is relieved Newman will make a full recovery....[read entire article]

PIKE FOOTBALL IS ON TOP IN LATEST TROY MESSENGER "POWER RANKINGS!!"

See Original Article Here

by Wes Johnson

The high school football season is underway and it’s time for the first edition of The Messenger’s Power Rankings. These rankings don not reflect whether one team is better than another in a head-to-head matchup. They only show my opinion of how well each team is playing in comparison to others in the area. So here they are:
1. Pike Liberal Arts (1-0 Overall, 0-0 Region)
The Patriots handled Lyman Ward with revative ease and look to do the same this week against Macon-East.
2. Zion Chapel (1-0, 0-0)
Yes, Zion Chapel. And not because they were the only other area team to will a game. The Rebels dominated Pleasant Home from the opening kick.... [read entire article]