After standout seasons marked by consistent success and great play, both the boys and girls soccer teams at Pike Road High School have earned their place in the Alabama High School Athletic Association state playoffs.
Their hard work throughout the season has paid off with a major milestone—hosting first-round playoff matches tonight, Thursday, April 23.
The Lady Patriots will take the field against Wetumpka, while the Patriots boys team will face Stanhope in what promises to be a thrilling night of postseason soccer.
Both programs enter the playoffs with momentum and confidence built over strong regular seasons.
Girls head coach Taylor Jones highlighted the team’s consistency and determination heading into the postseason. “The varsity girls are coming off back-to-back area championships and strong seasons,” Jones said. “The girls have put in a lot of work to get to this point, and we hope to have another deep run in the playoffs.”
Jones acknowledged the level of competition ahead but remains confident in her squad. “We’ve got some tough opponents ahead of us,” he said.
“But we think we’re up to the challenge.”
He also emphasized the importance of playing at home. Hosting the first round is an important step,” Jones said. “Hopefully a strong Pike Road crowd can give us the boost we need to move on to the round of 16.”
On the boys side, head coach Jamaal Jenkins emphasized both pride and preparation as his team begins its playoff journey. “Excited for the team and especially all my seniors for the season they have had,” Jenkins said.
“They have achieved a level of soccer this year that they should be extremely proud of.”
Jenkins pointed to the chemistry and experience of his senior class as a key strength. “These 10 seniors have been playing together for so long,” he said.
“Watching them on the pitch together is so enjoyable to me as their coach.”
With the playoffs underway, Jenkins made it clear the mindset has shifted. “Got to go 5-0 to win state, new season,” he said. “I feel like the boys are ready to make whatever run they make. Hopefully we can continue to play good soccer and make a run.”
Both games will be hosted at Pike Road High School on Thursday evening:
- Girls Match: Pike Road vs. Wetumpka at 5:30 p.m.
- Boys Match: Pike Road vs. Stanhope at 7:15 p.m.
As this is an official playoff event, season passes will not be accepted. Admission is $10 per game. To streamline entry and avoid lines, fans are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets in advance using the official links below:
Girls Game Tickets: https://gofan.co/event/6515276?schoolId=AL72525
Boys Game Tickets: https://gofan.co/event/6515270?schoolId=AL72525
A cash gate will be available for those purchasing tickets on-site. However, attendees paying at the gate should be prepared to specify which game they are attending to ensure proper ticketing.
With both teams hosting at home, the coaches and players alike are calling on the Pike Road students and community to show up in full force. A strong home crowd could provide the edge both teams need as they begin their quest for a state championship.
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