Tough Loss Doesn’t Take Away From Successful Season

Piedmont Academy football coach Wes Tanner had to give his team the speech he didn’t want to give after Saturday’s state championship game.

The Cougars had just fallen 42-35 to a quality Memorial Day team in the GISA Class AA state championship game played at Mercer University in Macon. Piedmont’s final attempt to tie the game was not successful and the Blue Thunder was able to run out the remaining time to earn another state title.

The loss left Piedmont players trying to sort it all out.

“It’s tough,” lineman Chris Cain said. “Very tough.”

“I am proud of every one of you,” Tanner said in the minutes following the game. “You left it all on the field. You played with pride and class today and all season. I am honored to be associated with you. It was great to have this chance. I just wished it would have turned out a little different.”

It was the first loss to a Class AA team all season for the Cougars. Piedmont entered the title game 10-1 with its only setback coming to Class AAA John Milledge, a team which reached the semifinals in its classification.

There will always be debate among fans and parents about whether state championship games should be played on campus at a participating school’s field. When the Cougars won state in 2010 and 2011, both of those games were played in Monticello.

The GISA, however, decided to follow a similar formula used by the Georgia High School Association in playing state championship games at a neutral location. The GHSA plays its title game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta and now the GISA has its championship contests at Mercer University in Macon.

The advantage of playing at a location like Piedmont and Memorial Day did Saturday is that there is plenty of room for all fans (including parking), the condition of the field will not be an issue due to it being field turf and it is played in a central location of the state.

Regardless, winning a state championship, wherever the game is played, is special. Not being at home didn’t seem to phase players from either team Saturday.

Piedmont Academy’s fan base had a large turnout. Some players on the 2014 team actually are second generation players for the Cougars. The former players, who are now parents, enjoyed seeing their sons have the chance to be successful on the field as well.

The only thing that would have made Saturday better, of course, would have been a win. The Middle Georgia sun allowed the temperatures to be comfortable when the game started. The temperature had dipped by the time the contest was over but it was not a factor in the outcome.

Piedmont players showed the ultimate amount of class. Despite falling in a hard fought, back-and-forth contest, the Cougars offered congratulations to their opponent.

High school football has always gone hand-in-hand with small town America. Songs have been written about it. Movies have been made about it.

On Saturday, Nov. 29, our hometown players gave their all in a quest for championship glory. They did not come out on top this time, but they will realize, even if it takes a few years, how special 2014 was. Congratulations to coach Wes Tanner, his coaches, players and all involved in the program on a memorable season.

I’ll put off looking to 2015 to enjoy 2014 just a little longer.

Monticello native Chris Bridges covers Piedmont Academy athletics for The Monticello News. He welcomes feedback at cbridges@barrowjournal.com.