The Pinewood Patriots football team hosted the Vikings of First Presbyterian Day (FPD) School on Friday, September 16, 2022. In what can be considered an upset, the Patriots came out on top of the Vikings 34-28. 

The Pinewood Patriots have had a rough couple of weeks, losing to both Savannah Country Day and Vidalia High School. Both of these teams are not only members of the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) but also very successful in their prospective divisions and much larger school systems than Pinewood Christian Academy (PCA). Additionally, after losing a large and very talented senior class last year, the Patriots have had to regroup and rework their winning approach. 

Well, it all came together this past Friday against First Presbyterian Day School, and it was an amazing event to watch. A much larger school, with almost twice the number of students and football players, First Presbyterian Day School from Macon is finding their way back into the Georgia Independent Athletic Association (GIAA) after spending nearly 10 years in the GHSA. 

The Patriots dominated the offensive side of the ball, recording 448 total offensive yards and 25 first downs. Quarterback Banks Booth showed off his exceptional skills with the pigskin; the sophomore threw 28-41 with 354 receiving yards, no interceptions, and four touchdowns. 

Receivers Walker Todd and Jake Rogers, both juniors, also had a great night. They recorded 174 and 121 receiving yards respectively; Todd with one touchdown and Rogers with three. 

Rogers also had a great game defensively with eight solo tackles. Other leading tacklers included Kaedan Arnold with six solos and Avery Beasley with four. 

FPD was the first team to score. A five-yard run put them ahead of the Patriots… but not for long. A 10-yard combination of Banks to Rogers put six on the board for the Pats. Ben Swindell added his name to the stats with a conversion reception from Booth. First quarter score read 8-7. 

PCA scored again five minutes into the second quarter with another Booth and Rogers combo for 14 yards. Swindell again added to the moment and was good on the reception for the conversion. First Presbyterian responded with another touchdown and point after kick for seven points. 

Later in the second, Booth completed a 26-yard pass to Walker Todd. Todd fumbled the ball after a nasty run-in with a Viking defender. Luckily, Banks Durrence recovered the ball for a touchdown and the Patriots scored another six points. Score leading into halftime read 14-7. 

The third quarter saw yet another combo between Booth and Rogers for another touchdown–this time for seven yards. Although the conversion was no good, the Patriots were still sitting pretty up 20-7. 

The Vikings, however, tried to recover the game, scoring twice in the fourth quarter for an additional 14 points. Unfortunately for the Vikings, though, Booth and Todd were ready to seal the deal. Booth passed to Todd for a huge 27-yard touchdown, turning out the lights for the Vikings and reaffirming the Patriots position in Bellville and in the GIAA. Final score of the game read 34-28 in favor of the Bellville Boys. 

The Patriots will play away this Friday, September 23, against yet another large opponent, Mount de Sales, in Macon. Game time is 7:30 p.m.