Pike Liberal scores late for win against Lee-Scott

AUBURN — In the end it came down to two fourth down plays. Pike Liberal Arts made its, Lee-Scott did not.

Pike Liberal Arts stopped Lee-Scott with five minutes to go in the game on fourth-and-1 on the 25-yard line. Facing fourth-and-1 on the 12-yard line, Pike converted with 1:32 left in the game to set up the game winning 23-yard field goal four plays later by Tanner Grant.

The field goal, with six seconds to play, gave Pike a 23-21 lead. Pike’s Martin Meeks then recovered an errant Lee-Scott lateral on the kick off and scored as time expired to make the final score 29-21.

The seventh-ranked Patriots improved to 4-1 overall, 3-1 in region play. Lee-Scott fell to 4-3, 2-1.

“It was a great game, a great game for a football fan to watch. Both teams deserved to win,” said Lee-Scott coach Robert Maddox. “They got us this year. If we convert either of our two fourth down plays we should win. But give credit to Pike, they stopped us.

“Our kicking game had some breakdowns that hurt us in the first half and that is my fault, but I want to say there was great effort by both teams out there. I am proud of how my team played.“

Lee-Scott trailed at the half 20-14. Pike’s two touchdown drives were set up by long kick off returns. The other Pike score was a 69-yard punt return.

Taylor Stephens had a 69-yard punt return, Nick McLaughlin scored a rushing touchdown and Trey Walters threw to Daniel Powell for the other Patriot score.

Stephens led the Patriot offense with 110 yards rushing on 15 carries. McLaughlin added 66 yards. Walters was 9-of-18 passing for 46 yards.

Defensively for Pike Lib, McLaughlin had 10 tackles.

Lee-Scott got on the board in the first quarter after a fumble recovery by Will Garner gave them the ball at the 50-yard line.

A 36-yard run by Tucker Tuberville, son of former Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville, gave Lee-Scott a first and goal. Tuberville finished the drive off with a touchdown pass to Tyler Reynolds. Michael Jensen added the PAT to give Lee-Scott an early 7-6 lead.

Late in the first half, an interception by Tucker Carl gave Lee-Scott the ball back with 1:32 to go in the half.

Lee-Scott drove down the field behind the passes of Trey Moreman and the running of Sam Cowles. A big reception by Carl set up Lee-Scott’s first-and-goal with 25 seconds left in the half. On the next play Tuberville rolled to his left and found Aaron Sanderson in the end zone for a touchdown reception to make 20-14 at the half.

Lee-Scott completely dominated the third quarter, holding the ball for 10 of the 12 minutes.

Moreman threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Carl to give Lee-Scott a 21-20 lead with 7:42 left in the third quarter.