Pike Defeats North Central at VYPE GOW

By DAMANI DICKERSON

For VYPE Magazine (Central Indiana)

VYPE High School Sports Magazine (Central Indiana) kicked off its 2012 Football Game of the Week tour at North Central High School where the No. 21 ranked Panthers (0-1) played host to the No. 18 ranked Pike Red Devils (1-0) in a Class 5A gridiron battle.

Pike, behind the two touchdown grabs of Co-Vype MVP Dominique Booth, took an early first-half lead and went on to defeat North Central in their season opener 23-6.

Defensively the Red Devils were one special teams play away from a shutout and offensively they just simply wore the Panther defense down.      

“There were some good things and we’re really going to build upon those. But at the same time we have some things we still need to work on,” Pike head coach Derek Moyers said following the game. “They always say your best strides are between Week 1 and Week 2, and that’s what we hope to do.”

Booth finished with 11 catches and 136 yards receiving. His first score was set up by a Panthers special team’s miscue that gave the Red Devils great field position. On their very first offensive play of the season junior quarterback Brent Lyles found Booth in the corner of the end zone for an 11 yard touchdown putting Pike up early 7-0.

Late in the second quarter Lyles and Booth hooked up again this time on a short screen pass the junior receiver took 42 yards that gave Pike a 20-6 halftime lead.

Lyles completed 19-of-32 passes for 198 yards with only one interception. Junior running back Derrick Wilkerson led the running attack with 124 yards on 19 carries.

“Those kids (Lyles and Booth) have worked together all summer. It’s no secret that they have a really good relationship because of the work they’ve put in this off season. They know each other, they know what’s going to happen,” Moyers said.  “We know number one is our guy and we’re going to try to get him the ball.”

After the game while excited with the win and his team’s performance Booth had a calm “all in a day’s work” swag. He’s very optimistic and looking forward to the season.

“We’re not losers, we’ve never been losers.  In middle school we never lost, and we were almost undefeated as freshmen,” he said confidently.  “We’ve never been losers, and we’re not about to lose now. We’re a good team, and we’re going to show it this year.”

Co-MVP senior kicker Nick Hernandez connected on all three of his field goal attempts (37, 27, 25). After somewhat of a disappointing season last year, he’s determined to be better in 2012.

“Feels good,” he said about his play. “When I miss field goals I feel like I let down my team, so I put a lot more practice in so I can bust down every single one.”

The Panthers never had any real consistency on offense and had trouble keeping their defense off the field. Their sole score was on a 95-yard kickoff return by junior James Mitchell early in the second quarter.

Junior running back Jalen McIntyre had a good night on the ground rushing for 168 yards on 19 carries. Junior defensively lineman William Harris led the defense with two sacks. 

North Central head coach plans to use this game as a block for his young team to build on.

“Pike’s a good team. I think we ran out of gas,” Shelton said.  “It’s only one game. We’ll keep our kids together, work on some things and we’ll be back.”

                                                       Quarter-By-Quarter

North Central High School         0   6  0 0 - 6

Pike High School                          7 13 3 0 - 23