Football Cougars Defeat Briarwood
It was another impressive victory against a solid opponent for the Piedmont Academy football team last Friday.
The Cougars (5-2 overall) defeated visiting Briarwood Academy 53-18 as neither the rain, playing conditions or the Buccaneer defense was able to slow down Piedmont on this night.
In addition, it was a strong overall defensive effort by the Cougars.
“We came out and set the tone early and kept our foot on the gas,” said coach Wes Tanner. “That was good to see. We knew we needed to start well defensively and we came out and did that. They have two good running backs and we knew we had to at least slow them down early and we did that. Our defense put our offense in good position early in the game.”
Mack Brady continued to perform well finishing the night 8-of-14 through the air for 104 yards and two touchdowns. Ben Davis and Noah Quick helped lead the ground attack with 102 yards and 89 yards respectively. Davis scored three touchdowns in the game while Quick added two more.
“Ben and Noah were like a two-headed monster running the football,” Tanner said.
Chris McClain caught four passes for 68 yards and a score while Chandler Burrell had a 24-yard touchdown reception. On defense, McClain also returned an interception for a six points.
Defensively, Logan Conner and Wyatt Galloway were credited with their best games of the 2015 season. Quick and Chris Cain had their best performances on the defensive front, Tanner said.
“We controlled the line of scrimmage and executed our defensive scheme well,” the coach said.
To post such a dominating score and performance against an opponent which entered the game with a strong overall record was something that impressed the Piedmont coaches.
“We have some players who are continuing to step up,” Tanner said. “It has been a group effort and that’s what you like to see.”
Up next for the Cougars will be home contest against the Georgia Christian Generals. While the two teams engaged in a close, competitive game a season ago, Georgia Christian enters Friday’s matchup 2-5, coming off a 49-8 loss to Terrell Academy.
The Generals, who compete in Region 3-AA, have managed wins this season against David Emanuel (27-6) and First Presbyterian Christian (34-20).
This week’s game, which is homecoming for Piedmont, will be the final non-region contest for the Cougars.
“Georgia Christian lost some key players from last season but they still have some talent you have to account for,” Tanner said. “It will be about not having a letdown and letting all the homecoming activities be a distraction. The biggest key for us will be to continue to get where we want to be and not to go backwards.”
Georgia Christian has shown multiple looks offensively running everything from the spread to the I formation. On the defensive side the football, this week’s opponent primarily uses a 40 front but at times goes to a 3-4 or 3-5.
Following this Friday, the Piedmont team will have an open date.
Players of the Week:
Offense: Noah Quick
Defense: Logan Conner
Special Teams: Chandler Burrell