Cougars Roll To Win in Home Opener
While the Piedmont Academy football team posted some impressive stats along with a convincing victory last Friday, coach Rhett Farmer still believes his team is capable of playing better.
The Cougars dispatched of Nathanael Greene 40-14 in Siloam and are now preparing for the 2010 home opener against Griffin Christian this week.
“It was a good night and a good opener for us, but we’re still a long way from where we need to be,” Farmer said.
Blake Hammock had a monster night rushing the football. The senior finished with 304 yards and four scores on just eight carries.
“They put eight men in the box which took away our fullbacks,” Farmer said. “We hurt them on the edge and with our off tackle plays and sweeps.”
Overall, Piedmont had 440 yards on the ground. The Cougars threw the football only once. Farmer said he probably should have called for more pass plays in order to work on that area of the offense.
“I am proud of the players,” the coach said. “They played hard. We have some young linemen who are still learning. I am proud we won and proud of the effort. Still, we know there is still a lot of work to do to get to where we want to be.”
Helping clear the way for the offense were linemen Jakey Dunagan, Justin Wilson, Daniel Leinweber, Austin Corley, Dylan Collins, Garrett Richardson and Wiley Roberts. Defensively, Piedmont held the host Patriots to just over 200 yards.
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“They moved the football some but when the field got short, we played well in our 50 defense,” Farmer said. “The 50 is designed to not get pressure so we started stunting more as the game went on. Just like our offense, we have a ways to go.”
Two key fumble recoveries played a key part in the victory, the coach said.
While the Cougars opened with a Class A opponent, this week’s foe will be a AAA school. Griffin Christian defeated Flint River 25-13 last Friday so both teams enter the contest 1-0.
Senior running back Anthony Lewis will lead Griffin Christian.
“Speed wise, we are going to have our hands full,” Farmer said. “They also play solid defense. It is going to be a tall task. We need a great week of practice.”
Griffin Christian will present multiple offensive formations including a pro set, twins, I formation, split backs and some four wides, Farmer said.
“They will want to keep it on the ground,” the Piedmont coach said. “Like us, they won’t run many plays and will use the lead sweep, kickout and counter trap. They have some weapons offensively. It will probably come down to who turns the football over the least amount of times.”
Kickoff at Cougar Field is set for 7:30 p.m.
Stats vs. Nathanael Greene
Offense
•Blake Hammock, 8 carries for 304 yards, 4 TDs (runs of 74, 66, 25, 83)
•Alex Hall, 4 carries for 23 yards, 1 TD (1)
•Dakota Collins, 3 carries for 20 yards
•Peter Lawson, 3 carries for 18 yards
•Mills Smith, 1 carry for 8 yards and 1 TD
•Malik Reid, 1 carry for 0 yards
•Nick Dimsdale, 5 carries for 17 yards
•Dylan Collins, 1 carry for 0 yards
•Zach Benjamin, 3 carries for 22 yards
•Tyler Cullum, 2 carries for 31 yards
Defense
•Peter Lawson, 9 solos and 9 assists
•Malik Reid, 1 assist
•Alex Hall, 1 assist and 1 solo
•Zach Benjamin, 5 assists and 1 pass break up
•Dylan Collins, 6 assists and 3 solos (1 for a loss)
•Rhett Roberts, 3 assists, 4 solos and 1 pass break up
•Sam Cleary, 1 assists, 2 solos and 1 fumble recovery
•Tyler Cullum, 5 solos and 1 pass break up
•Dakota Collins, 5 solos, 7 assists and 1 fumble recovery
•Josh Brennan, 1 solo for a loss
•Daniel Leinweber, 2 assists
•Jakey Dunagan, 1 assists
•Austin Corley, 2 solos (1 for loss) and 4 assists
•Justin Wilson, 2 assists
•Garrett Richardson, 1 solo
•Glade Tuggle, 3 assists
•Carl Gonsalves-Barreiro, 1 solo
•Nick Dimsdale, 1 pass break up
Players of Game: Blake Hammock, Peter Lawson, and Dylan Collins.