Cougars Open Region Play With Big Win

The Piedmont Academy football team opened the region portion of its schedule Friday night clicking on all cylinders.

In their Region 1-AA debut, the Cougars, who are ranked No. 1 for GISA Class AA, took a 62-6 victory against visiting Westminster Christian of Augusta. The win improved Piedmont to 5-0 overall and was the second time this season the Cougars have topped the 60-point mark.

“It was a good night,” Piedmont coach Rhett Farmer said. “It was good to play so well even with Blake (Hammock) out. It was great to see others step up.”

Hammock suffered an ankle injury earlier in the week and did not dress out for Friday’s game. Farmer is hoping the standout will be back this week when the Cougars host Central Fellowship in another region contest.

“Blake was disappointed in not being able to play,” the coach said. “However, he’s such a team player that he was there supporting us.”
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Peter Lawson helped fill in at the tailback spot last week. Dylan Collins also had a 40-yard touchdown run from the position.
Lawson finished with 69 yards on seven carries and two scores. Also helping the offense was Dakota Collins, who contributed 80 yards and two scores. Quarterback Alex Hall rushed for 47 yards on six carries and was also 2-of-2 passing for 25 yards.
Zach Benjamin finished with 45 yards on five carries and a touchdown.

Defensively, Sam Cleary had four solo tackles, three assists, an interception and two pass break-ups. Rhett Roberts had four solo stops, one assist, a pass break-up and recovered a fumble on a kickoff.

Nick Dimsdale also had a big night defensively with five solo tackles, two assists and a pass break-up. Jakey Dunagan had two quarterback sacks and Tyler Cullum returned an interception for a score.

“We executed offensively and fired off the football,” Farmer said. “We took control of the game early. Defensively, we also played well. We were able to control the line of scrimmage. Westminster is a younger program and they were missing one of their running backs. They attempted to throw it several times but we responded with two interceptions.”

Another important factor in the game, the coach said, was winning the turnover battle.

“It was just one region game,” Farmer said. “We hope to be able to build on it. We still have to keep getting better.”
“Central Fellowship is a good looking team,” Farmer said. “They are big in spots and athletic. Their base offensive set is similar to ours although they have a different blocking scheme. They have a quarterback with good speed and a big running back who is very physical. They have some weapons.”

Defensively, the Lancers use a 4-3 scheme and at times go to a 3-5.
“They are scary,” Farmer said. “We hope to be ready. We have to take this team serious. They can be very dangerous.”
Central Fellowship raced out of the starting gate with three victories against Randolph Southern, Covenant and Curtis Baptist before falling to Heritage and Edmund Burke.

Piedmont, in addition to scoring at least 60 points twice, has also scored 54 points in one game and 40 in another. The lowest point total for the Cougars this season came in a 27-13 win against Griffin Christian.

“The kids are doing everything we ask,” Farmer said. “We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, however. We are competing in a brutal region.” Kickoff Friday is set for 7:30 p.m.
Offensive Stats

Peter Lawson: 7 carries for 69 yards, 2 TDs;
Alex Hall: 6 carries for 47 yards, 2-of-2 passing for 25 yards and 1 TD;

Nick Dimsdale: 4 carries for 43 yards, 1 TD;
Mills Smith: 2 carries for 5 yards;
Zach Benjamin: 4 carries for 45 yards, 1 TD, 38 yards on 2 punt returns;

Dylan Collins: 1 carry for 40 yard TD;
Sam Cleary: 1 reception for 3-yard TD, 8-for-8 on PATs;
Tyler Cullum: 3 carries for 5 yards;
Dakota Collins: 7 carries for 80 yards, 2 TDs

Defensive Stats

Peter Lawson: 1 solo and 4 assists;
Alex Hall: 1 assist;
Nick Dimsdale: 5 solos, 2 assists and 1 pass break up;
Zach Benjamin: 1 solo;
Dylan Collins: 2 solos and 1 assist;
Rhett Roberts: 4 solos, 1 assist, 1 pass break up and recovered a kickoff;

Sam Cleary: 4 solos, 3 assists, 1 interception, 2 pass break up;
Tyler Cullum: 1 solo, 2 assists, 2 pass break ups and 10 yard interception return for TD;
Dakota Collins: 2 solos and 3 assists;
Josh Brennan: 1 sack and 2 assists;
Jakey Dunagan: 2 sacks;
Seth Harvey: 1 sack and 1 assist;
Willy Roberts: 2 assists

Players of the Game
Zach Benjamin, Offense
Sam Cleary, Defense
Jakey Dunagan, Lineman