Cougars Remain Undefeated; Playoffs Begin Firday at Home

The Piedmont Academy football team capped its second consecutive undefeated regular season Friday night at the expense of an old rival.

The Cougars rolled through Gatewood on the road in Eatonton, 49-12, and will now begin the process of capturing their second state championship in as many seasons. Piedmont hosts Brookwood this Friday in an opening-round contest at 7:30 p.m.

In last week’s game, quarterback Zach Benjamin had a big night, as did the entire Cougar offense. Benjamin finished with 214 yards on 11 carries as well as a 65-yard punt return for a score.

The game was decided by halftime, as Gatewood was not able to contain Piedmont’s offense.

“I am very proud of this year’s team,” Cougar head coach Rhett Farmer said. “The fact that we were able to go through the regular season undefeated is a nice accomplishment. However, we want to continue this season for three more weeks with three more wins.”

There were numerous standout efforts in the game against Gatewood. In addition to Benjamin, Peter Lawson had another big performance on both sides of the football. Lawson rushed for 138 yards on 16 carries with two scores.

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Daniel Leinweber was credited for his efforts on the offensive line. Benjamin gained several yards on keepers and Leinweber helped clear the way. With Gatewood keying to stop Lawson, Benjamin had a huge performance.

“I was very pleased by our entire team,” Farmer said. “On paper, we didn’t have much to play for because we had already secured the region championship. However, we do get excited about playing Gatewood every year so when you combine that with the fact we were going for an undefeated regular season, being motivated wasn’t an issue.”

Defensively, the coach said Austin Corley played well at nose guard as did Seth Harvey and Jakey Dunagan at defensive tackle. Justin Wilson and Gaven Edge stood out at defensive end while Payden Cantera and Lawson had strong outings at linebacker.

Farmer also credited the point-after unit for being 100 percent in the game as well as the punt return team. The coach said the kickoff team also tackled well as it was a quality outing on special teams in all areas.

“It’s good to see us doing well in so many areas,” Farmer said. “We were very good in all phases of the game.”

Thoughts now turn toward the postseason as the Brookwood Warriors from Thomasville make the long trip to Cougar Field this Friday.

The Warriors run a Wing-T offense and their quarterback and fullback have both gained more than 1,000 yards. Piedmont defeated Brookwood 49-27 in the season opener.

“They are very explosive,” Farmer said. “When we beat them in August the game was closer than the score shows. They gave us some turnovers. On their first two drives, they went right down the field moving it at will. I do think we’ve improved defensively.

This will be a huge test. At this point, if you lose you go home. This is going to be a tough one. We cruised in the first round last year, but I don’t think that will be the case this time.”

The winner Friday will face the survivor of the Brentwood-Arlington game. Other first-round games include Gatewood at Valwood and Heritage at Edmund Burke.

NOTES: Brookwood and Piedmont met in the opening round of the 1986 playoffs as well, well before any of the current players were born. Brookwood won that contest played in Thomasville.

Piedmont is guaranteed of at least two home playoff games. A win this Friday would allow the Cougars to be at home again in the semi-finals.

Valwood is the other No. 1 seed and the Valiants would host the state championship game in Valdosta if they and the Cougars reach that point. Piedmont could still host the state championship game if any other team besides Valwood is the opponent.

Playoff tickets for Friday are on sale in the school office for $7, athletic director Danny Camp said.

PIEDMONT vs. BROOKWOOD

•The Game: Brookwood at Piedmont, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Cougar Field, first round of GISA Class AA state playoffs

•Tickets: $7, pre-sale tickets are available in the school office

•Records: Piedmont 10-0; Brookwood 5-5

•Last meeting: The Cougars won 49-27 on Aug. 19 in Monticello

•Last week: Piedmont defeated Gatewood 49-12; Brookwood defeated Southwest Georgia 64-38

•Items of Note: Piedmont has now won 23 games in a row. The Cougars defeated Brookwood during the first game of the 2011 season. Brookwood is coming off an impressive 64-38 win against Southwest Georgia. The Warriors seem to be more dangerous than most No. 4 seeds. Brookwood has had some big offensive outputs this fall.

STATS VS. GATEWOOD:

Offensive

•Zach Benjamin: 11 carries for 214 yards and 3 TDs, 65-yard punt return for a TD, 1-of-2 passing for 2 yards

•Peter Lawson: 16 carries for 138 yards and 2 TDs

•Nick Dimsdale: 8 carries for 40 yards

•Gaven Edge: 1 carry for 48 yards and 1 TD, 1 reception for 2 yards

•Hunter Knox: 3 carries for 18 yards

•Hunter Clark: 3 carries for 31 yards

•Seth Harvey: 6-of-6 on PAT

•Josh Hempel: 1-of-1 on PAT

Defensive

•Peter Lawson: 4 assists

•Hunter Clarke: 1 solo and 3 assists

•Hank Strickland: 4 assists

•Nick Dimsdale: 1 solo

•Zach Benjamin: 1 pass break up

•Bobby Mitchell: 1solo and 1 assist

•Hunter Knox: 2 solos

•Gaven Edge: 6 solos and 3 assists

•Tyler Cullum: 3 solos, 2 assists and 1 pass break up

•Payden Cantera: 1 solo and 7 assists

•Jakey Dunagan: 2 solos and 4 assists

•Austin Corley: 2 solos and 4 assists

•Seth Harvey: 1 QB sack, 3 assists and 1 pass batted down

•Justin Wilson: 1 solo and 1 pass batted down

•Josh Hempel: 1 solo