Cougars Take on Gatewood
Piedmont Academy will usher in another football season this week as the Cougars host long-time foe Gatewood at 7:30 p.m. today, Aug. 21.
For Piedmont, 2014 has an adjective of “new” associated with it.
The Cougars have a new head coach in Wes Tanner, who will be running new offensive and defensive schemes and they will be competing in a revamped region and classification.
The ultimate goal is to return to the playoffs, but the first order of business will be to battle — and defeat — an old nemesis in Gatewood.
“It’s ready or not, here we come,” said head coach Wes Tanner, who returned to the school this offseason. “We are getting there. Gatewood will do what they have done for years. It will definitely be a challenge.”
Tanner, who previously served as the program’s defensive coordinator, and the Cougar coaching staff has spent the past several weeks, and months, preparing for the new season. Tanner broke down what players will likely be at various positions in the season opener.
On the offensive line, Nolan Cleary will be at center with Hunter Burson and Peyton Cantera at the guard spots. Chris Cain and Clay Kirkpatrick will be at the tackle positions.
Zach Wilson, Hunter Pope, Michael Davis and Tanner Coppock will also add needed depth up front.
At wide receiver, Michael Edwards, Hank Strickland Chris McClain, Mack Brady, Noah Quick, Seth Wiles, Chris Coogler and Corbin Burrell will all see time in the opener and throughout the season.
Wyatt Galloway, Jeremiah Dave and Edwards will play the fullback/H-back position.
Zach Beggs will be at quarterback with backup from McClain. In the backfield behind Beggs will be Ben Davis, Hunter Knox, Gaven Edge and Dave.
On the defensive side of the football for Piedmont, Wilson will be at nose guard with Cantera and Burson at tackle. Kilpatrick, Jared Autry and Clearly will also work at defensive tackle.
At defensive end will be Cain, Edge, Kilpatrick and Davis.
Dave and Galloway be work at linebacker with backup from Wiles, Pope and Davis.
In the secondary, Strickland, Edwards, Davis, Brady, Young, Quick and McClain will each see action.
For special teams play, Wilson will handle punting from deep snapper Cleary. Chase Young is the team’s kicker.
In preparing for the new season, Tanner said it is actually beneficial to compete against an old rival.
“It helps the players in terms of focus,” the coach said. “They take things more serious because they know the first game is against someone everyone wants to beat. We don’t want to lose to anyone but certainly not to Gatewood.”
The Cougars enter the game healthy with only a few minor injuries.
Piedmont is coming off a 3-7-1 season while Gatewood was 7-5.
Kickoff at Cougar Field is set for 7:30 p.m. today.