Cougars Open Season August 19

Piedmont Academy will now open the 2011 football season one week earlier than originally expected.

Coach Rhett Farmer announced last week the Cougars would host Brookwood Friday, Aug. 19 for the first game of the new season. The late addition was made after Harvester Christian, a previously set opponent in September, had to be removed from the schedule. Harvester will return to playing eight-man football this fall, Farmer said.

“Aug. 19 was the only day we could use that would work for both of us,” the Piedmont coach said. “It’s not an ideal date but we wanted to have five home games. We are now having to speed up to get ready.”

The Cougars opened practice last week and, despite the heat, got off on the right foot.

“The kids practiced well,” Farmer said. “It was a good effort by everyone. There was nothing to be disappointed about.
“We are inching closer to figuring out our starting lineup. We have more questions on defense right now.”

The ordeal the Piedmont coaches face is how much to rush in an attempt to prepare for the opener. While Brookwood is a fellow AA school, it is not in the same region with the Cougars.

“It’s unchartered territory to some degree,” Farmer said.
Piedmont held three days of camp earlier this week and will host a team scrimmage today, Aug. 4, at approximately 7:45 p.m. at Cougar Field. The team is scheduled to have Friday off.