By Ryan McCollough

The Troy Messenger

 

TROY — Pike Liberal Arts had no answer for the one-two punch of Trevor Bates and Jamie Bearden Friday night in the Morgan Academy Senators’ season opening win.

“Things came together for us tonight,” said head coach Bob Taylor. “Pike is going to have a good football team. They are down in numbers, but have talent.”

Morgan Academy rolled over the Patriots to the tune of 39-8 as the offense used the ground game to roll up over 400 yards of offense.

Bates rushed for 92 yards on just eight carries and a touchdown, caught two passes for 33 yards and recorded six tackles on defense.

“Trevor is one of our leaders of the football team,” said Taylor. “He runs the ball hard, he can catch and does a great job defensively. He is a spark plug and gets us going when we need it.”

Not to be out done, Bearden rolled up 132 yards and two touchdowns, on just 10 carries. Bearden averaged over 13 yards a carry.

Morgan used the big play to jump on the home-standing Pats early and often. The Senators had five plays of 20 yards or more and blocked a punt.

Taylor said he was surprised by the play of some of his younger players.

“When you have an eighth grader out there getting blocks and leading the way it’s great,” Taylor said of John Tyler Fisher.

Pike Liberal Arts coach Wayne Grant praised the Senator offensive and defensive line play, as did Taylor.

“We did a great job running our offense,” said Taylor. “We were able to attack the edges and that opened things up in the middle of the field, and we could take advantage of that we came off the ball well, and were able to take control.”

Morgan Academy will return home to Senator Field next Thursday in a non-region contest against Meadowview Christian School.