The UPike Bears jumped on top early and never looked back as they cruised to a 49-0 homecoming win over the Kentucky Christian University Knights on Friday at Hambley Athletic Complex.
The Bears (4-3) jumped on top early when quarterback Lee Kirkland found U’Kari Baker for a 10-yard touchdown pass. A few minutes later, Kirkland got his second touchdown pass when he connected with Derrick Griffith for a 23-yard scoring strike and 14-0 lead. UPike’s last score in the quarter came when Kirkland found Diego Soto for a 19-yard touchdown pass to make the score 21-0.
Kirkland threw his fourth touchdown pass in the second quarter as he connected with Bralin Barton for a 13-yard score. The final score in the half came when UPike blocked a punt and Obie Wilson returned it for 30 yards and a 35-0 halftime lead.
The Bears scored on the final play of the third quarter when D’Andre Stafford caught a 32-yard touchdown pass from Xavier Malone. Gary Galloway added a touchdown in the fourth quarter on a 3-yard run to make it 49-0.
Kirkland completed 18-of-31 passes for 186 yards, 4 touchdowns and 1 interception.
Galloway was UPike’s leading rusher with 41 yards and 1 touchdown on 3 carries.
Griffith was the leading receiver with 71 yards and 1 touchdown on 6 catches. Soto hauled in 3 passes for 57 yards and 1 touchdown. Stafford had 3 catches for 45 yards and 1 touchdown.
UPike will next travel to Bluefield University on Saturday for a 7 pm kick off.
Photo Courtesy of UPike Athletics
