Piedmont Defeats Gatewood, 14-7
It was the hottest day of the year, but the Piedmont Academy football team overcame all obstacles to defeat long-time nemesis Gatewood 14-7 in the 2014 season opener last week at Cougar Field.
Piedmont (1-0) used a late touchdown on a 38-yard run by Hunter Knox to break a 7-7 tie. Knox’s game-winning run came with just 1:14 left in the contest. The Cougar defense then hold off one final Gatewood drive to preserve the victory.
“We kept running it right at them all night,” Knox said. “I knew we could break one. Our line did a great job and Jeremiah (Dave) gave me a great lead block.”
It was a successful debut for new Piedmont head coach Wes Tanner.
“We came through on the hottest day of the year,” Tanner said. “Hunter put us on his back and carried us and our defense stood up all night. We showed heart and that’s what it takes to wear the Piedmont Academy uniform.”
Tanner returned to Piedmont this summer after serving as the head coach at Covenant Academy in Macon last season. He previously was the defensive coordinator for the Cougars for several seasons, including two state championship campaigns.
“We left it all on the field,” the head coach said. “The effort was outstanding in terms of first game execution. Our kids played through being tired and gave a solid effort.”
Piedmont put the first points of the game on the board with 1:18 left in the first quarter. Dave, a newcomer to the program this season, broke a 62-yard run to give the Cougars a first and goal at the Gatewood 2-yard line. Knox capped the drive on the following play. Chase Young then added his first of two extra point kicks for a 7-0 lead.
Gatewood’s lone score came as a result of a long interception return late in the first half. The Gators returned an interception to the Piedmont 3-yard line before Palmer Clark found the endzone on first and goal.
The Cougars had chances in both the first and second halves to score additional points but penalties and other miscues hampered some scoring chances.
After Gatewood’s touchdown, Piedmont took possession at its own 28-yard line and moved into Gatewood territory. A 54-yard halfback pass from Knox to Hank Strickland found the end zone but the Cougars were called for motion. The drive then ended with an interception at the Gator 6-yard line.
Piedmont mounted a long drive on its first series of the third quarter. The Cougars moved the football to the Gatewood 10 where they faced a fourth and three. The conversion attempt was literally an inch shy of a first down which ended the scoring attempt.
Piedmont’s defense, led by new coordinator Jeff Beggs, was stingy throughout the game, allowing just seven first downs the entire game.
Several players had strong nights defensively including Peyton Cantera, Dave, Strickland and Chris Cain. The defense forced Gatewood to punt the football six times last week.
On the offensive side of the football, the line played well despite the tough playing conditions. Clay Kirkpatrick, Cantera, Nolan Cleary, Hunter Burson and Cain each helped clear the way for the backs.
Zach Beggs played his first game as quarterback and was effective on pass completions to Strickland and Wyatt Galloway.
Cougar players were happy to earn a win in the 2014 opener against such a big rival.
“It was a physical game,” Cantera said. “It was tough. Gatewood is a good team. We worked hard all summer to be ready to get this win and it’s great to see that work pay off.”
Teammate Zach Wilson agreed the game was physical from start to finish.
“It’s great to have this feeling knowing we beat Gatewood and that the hours of preparation were successful,” the junior lineman said.
Knox finished the season opener with an impressive 178 yards on 30 carries. Dave added 107 yards on 10 rushes. Beggs completed 5-of-12 passes for 99 yards.
Tanner said the offensive line played well for the first game of the season.
Defensively, Tanner said some halftime adjustments helped the team in the third and fourth quarters.
“We had a simple game plan defensively and our players executed it well,” Tanner said.
Up next for Piedmont will be a home game this Friday against Bethlehem Christian Academy from Barrow County.
The Knights are a relatively new program, competing in just their third full season of varsity action. BCA is a growing school, however, and has already moved into Class AAA in the GISA for 2014-2015.
BCA lost to Windsor Academy 62-32 in its season opener last Friday. The Knights use a spread option attack offensively utilizing a short passing game. Running back Graham Doolittle, one of four seniors on the team, scored four touchdowns against Windsor as did teammate Chris Ratterree.
This will be the first matchup between the schools in football. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Cougar Field.
“We cannot overlook any opponent,” said Tanner. “We have to treat each game as our biggest rival and go after each victory with everything we have. Bethlehem Christian used numerous offensive formations and we have to be ready for each one we may see.”
BCA coach Lance Fendley said his team would have to eliminate turnovers in order to have a chance to compete with the Cougars. The Knights had seven turnovers in their season opener.
NOTES: Before Thursday’s game, former Piedmont Academy player Blake Hammock was honored. The 2011 graduate died after an automobile accident earlier this month.
Hammock helped lead the program to its first state football title in 2010 during his senior year. For his career, Hammock rushed for 5,158 yards and 56 touchdowns on 589 carries. He compiled an 8.8-yard average.
His career best performance came on Aug. 27, 2010 when he rushed for 304 yards and four touchdowns on just eight carries against Nathanael Greene Academy.
The Piedmont players wore a sticker on their helmets with Hammock’s initials and his number was highlighted on the playing field. His family was in attendance and was presented the game ball by Coach Tanner after Thursday’s win.
There have been many classic encounters on the football field between Piedmont and Gatewood through the years. One came during the 1987 season when the Cougars won 21-6. Piedmont assistant coach Keith Mason was a member of that team along with Pat Hayes, who is now helping coach Gatewood. That season saw the Cougars advanced to the Class AA state title game against Pinewood.
“I remember it was a tough game, similar to tonight,” Mason said. “They always seem to be tough.”
New Piedmont defensive coordinator Jeff Beggs was excited to be back on the field. Beggs is a former head coach at Rockdale County and Winder-Barrow who has been working in high school administration in recent years. He is the new athletic director at Piedmont. but is also working directly with the football program in an on-the-field coaching capacity.
“I’m back doing what I love,” Beggs said. “It’s great to be part of this program working with these young men.”
Piedmont Academy’s football coaching staff has some new additions this fall. Walt Nelson, a graduate of the school, is now on the coaching staff along with Zach Norris.
Piedmont was called for six penalties in the season opener, all but one in the first half. Gatewood was penalized three times, all in the second half.
Captains for the opener were Hunter Knox, Payden Cantera and Gaven Edge.
STATS vs. GATEWOOD
• Hunter Knox: 30 rushes for 178 yards, two TDs
•Jeremiah Dave: 10 rushes for 107 yards
•Zach Beggs: 5-of-12 passing for 99 yards
•Chase Young: 2-of-2 on extra-point kicks
•385 total yards of offense
Players of the Week:
•Hunter Knox: Offense
•Chris Cain and Gaven Edge: Defense
•Chris McClain: Special Teams