Cougars Defeat Pinecrest
The Piedmont Academy football team got back on the winning track last Friday by defeating Pinecrest 27-12 in the Cougars’ Region 4-AA opener.
Piedmont (5-2 overall, 1-0 in region play) snapped a two-game losing streak in defeating the visiting Paladians. In a game where the playing conditions were less than desirable, the Cougars used a strong first half to get back in the win column.
“We really played well in the first half,” said Piedmont coach Danny Camp, whose team led 27-0 at the break. “In the second half, we didn’t play that well.”
While the Cougars ended up winning by 15 points, the game really was never in doubt as Pinecrest scored two late touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
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“It was a messy night and the conditions were miserable,” Camp said. “It rained all day Thursday and Friday. The field was in pretty good shape when the game started but it was a mess after the game. Still, both teams had to play in it so you can’t use that as an excuse.”
Lance Richardson paced the Piedmont offense with 116 yards on 16 carries and one touchdown.
“Lance is really having a good year for us,” Camp said. “He has been solid week in and week out.”
Justin Atkins added 30 yards rushing for the Cougars while J.J. Tweedell finished with 23.
Piedmont scored first on a 38-yard pass from Zac Hauther to Whit Morgan. The play was set up by an interception by Atkins.
Morgan scored his second touchdown of the night on a 42-yard interception return.
Touchdown runs by Richardson and Tweedell would close out the first half for Camp’s troops.
Defensively, Morgan, Atkins and Cris Jackson each had an interception. Pinecrest, which employs a wide-open passing offense, continued to throw the football despite the wet conditions.
“I was not happy with our execution in the second half,” Camp said. “We still have a lot of things to work on before our next game.”
Piedmont faces perhaps its toughest opponent this Friday on the road as the Cougars face Flint River. The Wildcats, the 2004 state runner-up, are undefeated this fall and have not been challenged.
The most points any team has scored against Flint River was 19 and that came in a 41-19 season-opening Wildcat win over Brookwood.
Flint River has enjoyed a high level of success the past two seasons finishing with only one loss in 2004 (in the state finals against Trinity) and posting an undefeated mark to this point in 2005.
“They are just as good as last year even though they lost several key players,” Camp said. “They run the split back veer mostly, but will mix it up and give you plenty of looks. They have a chance to win it all this year.”
Despite this week’s formidable opponent, Camp said his team is ready for the challenge.
“You like to prepare for games like this,” the coach said. “If we can get a win this week then we are suddenly looking at a possible region championship.”
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. in Woodbury.