Pike confirms it belongs in the MIC

By Vince Alexander

     It was initiation time for Pike.
     Pike, playing at home in its popsicle-red uniforms, triumphed in its first game as a member of the powerful Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference with a 41-22 high school football victory over North Central, kicking off the 2013 season.
     Pike and defending state champion Lawrence Central have joined the MIC, replacing Terre Haute North and Terre Haute South. The Red Devils will be joining Lawrence North, Ben Davis, Carmel, Center Grove, and Warren Central in arguably one of the toughest conferences in the country.
     Led by quarterback Brent Lyles and linebacker Quentin Moon, Pike was ready for the challenge against North Central’s dink-and-dunk offense. Pike led 21-15 at the half, before Lyles began to connect with his receivers. With only a six-point lead, Lyles took the Red Devils on an 8-play, 65-yard drive. He finished it off with a 2-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Devin Pearson, building the third-quarter lead to 28-15.
     Pike’s defense helped set up the lead. Moon had two tackles for losses in the quarter and the Red Devils got the ball for Myles and company after recovering a fumble.
     However, North Central showed why the MIC is tough. The Panthers responded when running back Milton McClain caught a dump-off pass from quarterback Michael Loggan, broke several tackles and a few Pike ankles with his dazzling moves before racing down the right sideline for a touchdown. Loggan finished the game 22-of-34 for 209 yards.
     On defense, North Central linebacker’s Sherrod Graham and Jeff Harris were making tackles all evening. But Lyles kept them off balance with his passing. After McClain’s impressive catch and run, Lyles helped Pike score 13 unanswered points. He scored on a 1-yard run, but the extra point was blocked by Graham. His final score came on a 36-yard pass to Dominique Booth.
     Lyles finished the game 20-of-33 passing for 282 yards. Along with Booth, Rashad Medaris caught one and Pearson two. Teammate Quentin Taliaferro added five catches for 86 yards. Lyles also scored on a 1-yard run.
     Pike opened the scoring with a 71-yard run by Taylor Sanders. Sanders finished the game with seven carries and 130 yards.