Elementary Cougars Football Season Begins

The Piedmont Academy Elementary School football team took the field for the first time this season against John Milledge Academy in a home game Tuesday afternoon at Cougar Field.

While the young Cougars fell 30-12, the contest will be used as a stepping stone for coach Justin Owens’ team.

“This was our first game of the season and we have several starting players who have never played before so it was a bit of a learning experience,” the coach said. “While the score didn’t come out as we had hoped, we were able to identify some of our challenge areas which will allow us to adjust and implement a few changes before our next home game.”

Piedmont trailed 16-0 at halftime with both teams scoring twice in the second half Tuesday.

The offense was led by fifth graders Drew Maddox, Russ Hagwood and Carson Hammock along with fourth grader Boone Pope.

“One goal for this year has been to develop a love for the sport and build a team concept for these young players,” Owens said. “I want them to be proud of their school and more importantly of themselves and each other. Building that ‘Piedmont Pride’ will pay dividends as they move forward in their athletic careers while in school, and learning to trust each other and work as a team will benefit them individually for the rest of their lives.”

Fifth graders on this year’s team include Maddox, Hagwood, Hammock, Joe Clark, Ben Jackson, Mason Owens, Dylan Pitts and Dalton Wallace. Fourth graders include Pope, Sean Davis, Rhett Harris, Rep Morton, Ridge Stroud and Jake Vaughn. Third grade players are Jake Pope and Hudson Reed with second grade players Barrett Downing, Matt Allen, Gavin McCart, Gabe Moore and Hunter Thompson.

Owens is assisted with the team by Mark Allen, Jeff Clark, Mike McCart and Andy Maddox.

The Elementary Cougars will host Creekside on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 6 p.m. The team has a seven-game season in 2015.