Elementary Cougars Battle Injuries

The Piedmont Academy elementary school football team made its home debut for 2014 against Trinity Christian School of Dublin Saturday morning.

The visiting Crusaders were able to take a 14-0 win, but it was a competitive game throughout.

“The kids were really excited to play their first game in the Piedmont stadium,” said coach Justin Owens. “The defense once again played well and held Trinity scoreless until we turned the football over on a fumble at our own 1-yard line with just a second left in the half.”

After the clock stopped on a change of possession, Trinity got into the end zone for the first score of the game.

“Our offense could not get going at all and we were hindered substantially by several injuries which left us putting players into skill positions that they weren’t familiar with,” Owens said. “This limited our options on what plays we could run and we just never could move the football well.”

Trinity broke one big play in the second half for its second score.

Key players for the Cougar defense including fourth grader Tanner Beam and fifth grader Ryan Holder. Also contributing were fourth grader Carson Hammock and fifth grader Mark Hicks. Fifth grader David Bishop was the team’s leading rusher.

In addition, second grade player Hudson Reed had to move to a key position due to injuries.

“This was a spot he had never played before and for such a young player, he really responded well to the stress of jumping into a brand new role and he really gave a great effort,” Coach Owens said.