Cougars Work Toward New Season

It’s still June but the Piedmont Academy football team has been extremely busy as the countdown to the new campaign continues.

First-year Cougar head coach Aubrey Payne has been overseeing summer conditioning and workouts, as the 2025 season is now less than two months away.

Already Payne has had to reshuffle his initial coaching staff. Christian Palmer, who was set to be the team’s offensive coordinator for the 2025 season, recently took a job at Tattnall Square Academy in Macon.

“You can’t replace someone like him,” said Payne. “He is a great person and great coach. It hurt to lose him. We do wish him the best moving forward in his career.”

Payne and Palmer both recently completed their first season at Piedmont. Palmer, who was also the school’s boys basketball coach, accepted an offer to become the new hoops leader at TSA.

With the move happening relatively late in the school year, Payne said he will be his own offensive coordinator and call the plays.

“I believe this will help myself grow and to be closer to the kids,” Payne said. “When you are a head football you may not be as hands on with a position.”

The summer program began June 2 for Cougar players. The first day saw approximately 50 players turn out which the new coach called “an awesome number.”

“We have been up and down since then with vacation and some illness,” Payne said. “However, the kids show up every day ready to play. We have around eight in high school who did not play last year but will be vital pieces to our team.”

The coaches are recognizing players throughout the summer. The first varsity Iron Cougar of the Week was Tyler Griswell, one of those who did not take part in the sport last season. Cason Phillips was the Middle School winner.

Payne said his players would continue throughout the summer with their training and conditioning. The team was set for a 7-on-7 event this week as the coach noted it would be a positive to compete with some other teams.

An upcoming 7-on-7 event will be at Trinity Christian School in Dublin.

A preseason scrimmage will be Aug. 7 at Strong Rock. The jamboree will feature multiple schools. The season opener is Aug. 14 at Thomas Jefferson.

Payne also welcomed Luke Welch and Jackson Welch to the coaching staff along with Jason Dudley. Luke Welch will coach wide receivers and defensive backs while Jackson will work with linebackers, tight ends and halfbacks. Dudley is a community coach working with the program.