Cougars Are Region Champs; 9-0 Region Champs

Piedmont Academy’s football team captured the Region 1-AA title last Friday with a 35-7 road win against traditional power Brentwood.

The win moved the Cougars to 9-0 overall and 5-0 in region play. Even with one game remaining in region play, no fellow 1-AA members can catch Piedmont in the standings.

“The kids came out ready to play,” said coach Rhett Farmer. “We took care of business. We knew we had to be ready to play. You are always a little concerned on a road trip. We went out and executed and played with a high level of emotion.”

Brentwood has a storied program with several region and state titles in recent seasons. However, the visiting Cougars simply had too much offense for the Eagles this night and Piedmont’s defense held tough against Brentwood’s Wing-T offense.

Peter Lawson rushed for 153 yards and four scores on 12 carries while Blake Hammock added 145 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown to lead Farmer’s team. Quarterback Alex Hall was once again effective triggering the offense with six carries for 23 yards. Hall was also 3-of-5 through the air for 73 yards.

Rhett Roberts, Dylan Collins and Sam Cleary each had pass receptions.

Defensively, Austin Corley had five solo stops and two assists with Seth Harvey adding four solo tackles and three assists.
“Winning region is special,” Farmer said. “This is the first season we went to the larger region format. We are pleased to be region champions.”
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The Cougars will look to earn their first undefeated regular season since 1988 against long-time rival Gatewood this Friday at home.
“We will approach this game like any other week,” Farmer said. “The kids know our routine. Any time we play we want to win.”

With the long rivalry between the schools, Farmer said he didn’t expect he would have to give his players much motivation, especially considering a perfect regular season was also on the line.

“Hopefully, our kids will realize we are still working to get better,” the coach said.

In scouting Gatewood, Farmer said the Gators use multiple formations both offensively and defensively.

“It will be a long week of preparing,” the coach said.
NOTES: The last two Piedmont teams to finish the regular season undefeated were in 1987 and 1988. Both those squads would eventually play for the state championship. Assistant coaches Keith Mason and Joel Sauls were both members of the 1987 team while Sauls also played for the 1988 one.

The Cougars have outscored their opponents by a 414-155 margin through nine games this season. Piedmont remains No. 1 this week in AA followed by Southwest Georgia, Brentwood, Arlington and Valwood.

Stats for Brentwood

Offensive:

Peter Lawson: 12 carries for 153 yards, 4 TD’s

Alex Hall: 6 carries for 23 yards, 3 for 5 passing 73 yards

Blake Hammock: 19 carries for 145 yards and 1 TD

Dakota Collins: 7 carries for 34 yards

Sam Cleary: 1 reception for 18 yards, 5 for 5 on PAT’s, 0 for 1 on field goals

Zach Benjamin: 3 carries for 23 yards

Nick Dimsdale: 2 carries for 7 yards

Rhett Roberts: 1 reception for 18 yards

Dylan Collins: 1 reception for 37 yards

Defensive:

Peter Lawson: 2 solos and 2 assists

Zach Benjamin: 1 solo and 2 assists and 1 pass break up

Dylan Collins: 3 solos and 3 assists, 2 Passes batted down

Rhett Roberts: 1 solo and 2 assists

Sam Cleary: 1 assist

Tyler Cullum: 1 solo and 2 assists

Dakota Collins: 3 solos (1 for loss) and 4 assists

Jakey Dunagan: 2 solos and 1 assist

Austin Corley: 5 solos and 2 assists

Seth Harvey: 4 solos and 3 assists

Nick Dimsdale: 2 solos

Evan Harvey: 1 solo

Carl Gonsalves-Barreiro: 1 solo

Player of the Game: Garrett Richardson.