Cougars Are State Champions-Bask In the Glory

The drizzling, irritating rain gave way to cold Friday night. I’m sure to residents of places like Alaska, Maine or Minnesota it wasn’t that cold but to someone who has spent most of his life in Middle Georgia it was cold.

Yet, the cold temperatures of the evening failed to dampen the feeling of euphoria that was overwhelming on that cold, damp night.
Friday night the Piedmont Academy Cougars took on the Spartans of Edmund Burke in GISA State Championship football game.
The Cougars entered the game undefeated, sporting a record of 12 consecutive wins. Though Piedmont has had many fine football teams through the years none had ever reached the pinnacle of a state championship.

On this night the Cougars of Coach Rhett Farmer would have that opportunity, but the Spartans looked to step on the dreams of the Blue and White. The Spartans, under the direction of Coach Buddy Sorrow, provided a stiff challenge and took an early lead behind the running of a young fellow by the name of Saxton. The Cougars responded as Alex Hall scored a touchdown on an option play.
As the game moved along the Cougars ran a great reverse play and Dylan Collins streaked down the home side line to give the Cougars the lead. The lead would not hold as the Spartans tied the game at the half. Yet, the second half on this night would belong to the Cougars.

Blake Hammock, who scampered for many of his one hundred and seventy six yards during the second half, scored a touchdown and Alex Hall added another. The Cougar defense shut out the Spartans in the second half and as the clock wound down the Cougar legions erupted with a roar as the Cougars claimed their first state championship.

Friday night meant a lot of things in different ways to many people. Granted it was only a football game but anyone who understands the Southern psyche knows that high school football in the small towns of Georgia is much more than a game.

For those who have been around Piedmont since its inception it was an evening that many may have thought they would never see. For alumni of the institution, some of whom had played on the very field which hosted Friday’s game the pain of coming close on many occasions yet falling short was erased.

I know what the night meant for me. No, I didn’t attend Piedmont. I haven’t lived in Monticello all my life. However, this is my home.
Monticello and Piedmont is the place where my daughter has grown from a precocious child to a marvelous young lady. She has been on Piedmont sidelines through her high school career either leading cheers or serving as a trainer. Winning a state championship makes her senior year in high school all the more special. Because it is special for her-it is special for me.

Then there are the coaches who are my friends. Rhett Farmer is a great leader and a wonderful role model for our young people. I stood in front of Wes Tanner and his bride and pronounced them man and wife.

Josh Daher has a great grasp of the game and relates well with young people. If one looks in the dictionary and finds the word “loyalty” one would read a description of the character of Bubba Nelson, Joel Sauls and Keith Mason. One can’t forget J.C. who keeps little brother motivated.

Above all Friday night was about a great group of young people. I have watched many of the young men on the field Friday night play football since they were in the sixth grade.

I’ve been along for the ride as they have grown from adolescence to the cusp of being young adults. Many of them have been guests in our home. I’ve hauled them to the movies, given them friendly advice, corrected a few of them when they needed it, and I even had the honor of coaching some them when they played football in middle school. Some of them I have baptized, others I have confirmed as they publically confessed Christ as their Savior.

I’ve had the privilege for the last six years of being the public address announcer for the Piedmont football games.

It has been a high privilege to narrate the drama played out on the turf of Cougar Field. It was extremely satisfying on Friday night to know that with each cry of “First Down Cougars!” and “Ring that Bell” the Blue and White were moving one step closer to a championship.

Friday night was indeed a glorious sight. The stands were packed. The over flow crowd lined the filed five deep in many places. Many wore the Blue and White of Piedmont while others donned the Red and Black of Edmund Burke. I also saw quite a bit of Hurricane Purple in the crowd cheering on the Cougars and it was wonderful to see our community come together as one.

So it is that we salute the State Champions of 2010. Hail to the Cougars. You can bask in the glow of your accomplishments and you have made your community proud.