Wetumpka has made its fans bite their nails all season.
The Indians went into Friday’s game at Pike Road trying to avoid another setback.
Despite the heroics of Jimmy King, Wetumpka left Patriot Stadium with a 17-12 loss. The Indians have now lost three straight games, all by a total of 10 points.
“We had a freshman quarterback, freshman running back, a new center and two defensive starters went down,” Wetumpka coach Bear Woods said. “It was great to see our guys step up and play hard until the end. That’s how I know we’re building a program at Wetumpka.”
King rushed for 171 yards and a 40-yard touchdown on 26 carries, providing most of the yardage for the Indians (1-3, 0-2 Class 6A, Region 2). King’s touchdown put Wetumpka up 6-3 with 8:18 left in the first quarter.
The rest of the Indians offense struggled as quarterback Charles Skipper threw three interception and completed four passes.
Skipper’s legs were key on Wetumpka’s final drive as he scrambled for 43 yards on four carries before throwing a 15-yard touchdown to Matez Wright with 1:48 left into the game.
Justin Godwin played some snaps at quarterback and rushed for 63 yards on seven carries. Ethan Bailey had a pair of sacks for the Wetumpka defense.
Wetumpka outgained Pike Road 329-309, but the three turnovers proved costly.
“We played the better game tonight, but the scoreboard doesn’t reflect it,”. “King was awesome tonight, and he hasn’t been healthy all season Our offensive line played its best game of the season. We’re looking at three possessions away from winning these last three games.”
A failed two-point attempt and onside kick sealed the victory for Pike Road (2-2, 2-0).
The Patriots got a 27-yard field goal from Connor Hall then struck big on a 61-yard touchdown pass from Cason Myers to Jordan Holmes for a 10-6 lead.
The 10-6 score held up until Patriots running back Ja'Michael Jones got loose in the third quarter for a 35-yard score for a 17-6 lead. Jones finished with 19 carries for 120 yards.
“I was happy with the outcome, but not the way they came up with the win,” Pike Road coach Granger Shook said. “We weren’t very disciplined. We didn’t play to our standard. Give credit to Coach Woods and his team. We’re motivated after a win, so that’s a good sign for us.”
Pike Road’s defense was led by Rufus Boone, who had ten tackles and an interception. His fourth-quarter stop of Jordan Hill’s fourth-and-goal rushing attempt gave the Patriots the ball back.
Myers completed 14 of 21 passes for 190 yards. Mason Hussey caught five passes.
Wetumpka’s loss to Pike Road last season sparked a 5-2 finish following a 0-3 start. The Indians host Rehobeth next Friday.
“There’s going to be a lot of parody in this region,” Woods said. “It makes me excited as a coach and I can’t wait to get these guys back out there next week.”
