Prep notes: Pike Liberal Arts stands out in the Wiregrass

By David Mundee

Published: November 26, 2008

The final book is now shut on the high school football season in the Wiregrass.

Only one team out of the 47 in the Dothan Eagle coverage area reached double digit wins and only one had less than three losses.

The honor on both belonged to Alabama Independent School Association AAA state champion Pike Liberal Arts.

The Patriots carried the banner in the area, finishing 12-1 after taking a 20-17 win in the finals over Fort Dale Academy last Friday.

No other area team reached double figure wins, though two came close, and no other team finished with two or less losses, though eight were not far off.

The two teams with nine wins were Slocomb and Daleville. Slocomb finished 9-3 after losing in the second round to T.R. Miller and Daleville was 9-4 after losing to Miller in the quarterfinals last week.

Teams finishing with three losses were Slocomb (9-3), Straughn (8-3), Barbour County (8-3), Houston Academy (8-3), Ariton (8-3), Marianna (8-3), Graceville (8-3) and Ashford Academy (7-3).

Overall, only 18 of the 47 coverage teams finished with a winning record — only 38 percent. Including the aforementioned 10 teams, others with winning records were Enterprise (7-4), Charles Henderson (7-4), Elba (7-4), Geneva (6-4), Cottonwood (6-4), Eufaula (6-5), Dale County (6-5) and New Brockton (6-5).

Two teams finished at .500 with 5-5 records — Pike County and Providence Christian.

On the flip side, two teams finished winless and seven teams earned only one win. The two winless were Kinston and Chipley (both 0-10), while the teams with just one win were Dothan, G.W. Long, Samson, Florala, Dixie Academy, Holmes County and Early County. All were 1-9 except Florala and Dixie Academy, who were 1-8.

First AISA title in 12 years: Pike Liberal Arts ended a 12-year drought for Wiregrass AISA teams last week with its state championship victory.

The Patriots’ state title was the first by one of the five area teams in the AISA since Dixie Academy’s won state in 1996.

It was the fifth overall state title by an area team in the AISA. Dixie also won titles in 1982 and 1995 and Ashford Academy won in 1994.

Patriot players earn weekly honors: Pike Liberal Art players Jerel Foster, Doug Hawkins and Corey Goodson were honored by the Alabama Sports Writers Association for their play in last week’s state title game.

Foster, who accounted for all but 43 yards of offense in a 20-17 win over Fort Dale, including 224 yards rushing on 35 carries and two touchdowns, was one of the three finalists for back of the week honors.

Hawkins and Goodson were honored for special teams/defensive play.

Hawkins’ big play was picking up a batted ball on a Fort Dale Academy punt, knowing it was a dead ball, but not downed, and racing 55 yards for a touchdown.

He also had three tackles and broke up Fort Dale’s final pass attempt of the game and caught a game-high five receptions for 39 yards.

Goodson had a game-high 12 tackles, 10 solo, including one for a loss.

AISA all-stars: Seven area players have been selected to play in the AISA all-star football game at Prattville’s Stanley-Jensen Stadium on Thursday, Dec. 4.

All seven will play on the east team at the game which kicks off at 7 p.m.

Of the seven, four are from state champion Pike Liberal Arts, two from Ashford Academy and one from Abbeville Christian.

Those selected from Pike Lib were running back Jerel Foster, running back/wide receiver Doug Hawkins, offensive lineman/defensive end Corey Goodson and defensive tackle Phillip Quincey.

Ashford Academy players at the game will be running back Justin Ingle and safety Kevin Gray.

Abbeville Christian’s representative is linebacker Gabe Newman.

Pike Liberal Arts head coach Steven Kilcrease will be one of the coaches for the east team.