The UPike Bears lost in heart-breaking fashion as they fell to 24th ranked Reinhardt, 41-35, on Saturday in Waleska, GA.
Reinhardt (3-2) struck first in the opening quarter when quarterback Taylor Jackson scored on a 12-yard run to make it 7-0.
The Bears (3-3) tied it up early in the second period as Lee Kirkland found Derek Griffith on a 14-yard touchdown pass.
Reinhardt regained the lead with 4:53 left in the half when Jackson threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Ghant to make the score 14-7 at the half.
UPike tied the game at 14-14 with 11:44 left in the third period when Kirkland found D’Andre Stafford on an 18-yard pass.
Reinhardt regained the lead in early in the fourth quarter when Jackson connected with Jakari Clark for a 33-yard touchdown pass.
The Bears tied it at 21-21 with 8:43 left in regulation as Stafford caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Kirkland. Pikeville took the lead, 28-21, with 1:14 left on the clock on a 1-yard Kirkland run.
Reinhardt was able to get into position to score in the final seconds and Jackson scored on a 23-yard run with 0:17 left to tie the game at, 28-28, and send it into overtime.
UPike and Reinhardt traded touchdowns in the first overtime. Reinhardt got a 25-yard pass from Jackson to Luis Morris. The Bears had a 1-yard touchdown run from Kirkland, and the teams were tied, 35-35. Reinhardt finished off the game on a 21-yard touchdown pass from Jackson to Collin Fletcher in the second overtime.
For UPike, Kirkland completed 19-of-34 passes for 243 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also carried the ball 7 times for 58 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Alex Sanders had 126 yards rushing on 22 attempts. Tyrese Christian finished with 5 carries for 32 yards.
Griffith led all receivers with 116 yards and 1 touchdown on 5 catches. Stafford tallied 2 catches for 39 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Jackson led Reinhardt by completing 15-of-27 passes for 266 yards and 4 touchdowns while carrying the ball 14 times for 65 yards and 2 touchdowns.
UPike will next host Kentucky Christian on Saturday for the school’s Homecoming. The opening kick is set for 7 pm at Hambley Athletic Complex.
Photo Courtesy of UPike Athletics
