Weather Prevents Piedmont Play
It was the weather which turned out to be the victor last Friday night in Sparta.
As a result the scheduled season opener between Piedmont Academy and John Hancock Academy was not played. The Cougars made the road trip but after a three-hour delay the decision was made to call it a night.
“We were never able to even warm up,” said Piedmont coach Will Johnson. “It was certainly disappointing. You work on a game plan all week but then can’t play.”
Johnson said there is a possibility the game could be played later in the season. Both teams have Sept. 20 open date and that would be the most likely scenario if the contest is rescheduled.
Various factors will have to be weighed including the injury situation for both teams. Johnson said Piedmont headmaster Clint Welch and athletic director M.C. Sikes would be involved in the final decision.
John Hancock is not in the same region as Piedmont and actually does not compete in the GISA so there is no requirement the game has to be rescheduled.
Cougar players went back to work this week in preparation for this Friday’s game at Monsignor Donovan in Athens. The Rams are a GISA Class A program as are the Cougars in 2019.
Monsignor Donovan has struggled in recent seasons but posted an impressive 40-7 win against defending Class A champion Flint River Academy last week. That game was postponed Friday but the teams were able to play the following day.
Piedmont was hosting an annual fund raiser this past Saturday which prevented its game with JHA from being made up then.
After a scoreless first quarter the Rams put 26 points on the scoreboard in the game’s second 12 minutes to take control. Monsignor Donovan finished strong with two fourth-quarter touchdowns as well.
“This is a completely new team from recent years,” Johnson said of this week’s opponent. “They have several transfers from Clarke Central. I can’t go in with the mindset that this is the Monsignor Donovan of old. This is going to be a tough test.”
The Cougars and Rams are similar in some ways. Both run a spread offense and both are looking to restore their past winning traditions.
Kickoff in Athens is set for 7:30 p.m.