PIKEVILLE – For at least the first 30 minutes, UPIKE had the pedal to the metal offensively to carry the team to a big win on Saturday, defeating St. Andrews 55-28.
The Bears scored a program record 48 points in the first half, beating the mark set in the first half by the 2011 squad against Faulkner.
The first five of UPIKE’s seven first half touchdowns came from the hand of quarterback Bowen Smith, who had a career day on Saturday. Smith completed 16 of his 20 passes for 266 yards and those five touchdowns. His five touchdowns are tied for third-most in a single game behind his position coach, Trevor Hoskins, who threw six twice in his storied career.
Even more impressive for Smith was the fact that each of his touchdowns went to a different receiver. Overall, his 16 completions went to 10 different receivers.
Smith need almost no time to get the scoring started, needing just four plays to find Alexander Shelton wide open downfield for a 36-yard touchdown. UPIKE’s next drive was even shorter, taking three plays to go 65 yards before Smith found Willie McCloud to put the Bears up 14-0.
That touchdown was McCloud’s first of two touchdowns on the day. He later capped off a long third-quarter drive with a four-yard run in UPIKE’s only second-half score. Overall, McCloud had 173 all-purpose yards.
Smith’s favorite target on the day was Anfernee Brown, who was the only receiver with more than two receptions. Brown had the out route working all day long and it resulted in five receptions for 43 yards and a touchdown
Darrion Leslie had his second consecutive game with a touchdown as well, catching a 47-yard bomb from Smith. The junior quarterback’s final touchdown pass went to Duke Ferguson, who was the Bears’ leading receiver on the day with 61 yards.
After stumbling a bit toward the end of a first half where they had been dominant, the Bear defense shut down the Knights in the second half.
Josh Green was all over the field making plays with a team-high 11 tackles, seven of which were solo tackles. He also had two pass breakups in the game.
Johran Broadnax also had himself quite a game with seven tackles, a jump-ball interception as well as a 16-yard sack toward the end of the game.
Derius Gibson and Trevon Wofford also scored rushing touchdowns in the game to round out the UPIKE scoring.
UP NEXT
The Bears have its annual bye week next week but will be back on the 20th to host Union on Homecoming. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at Hambley Athletic Complex.
(Source: UPIKE Sports Information Office)