Cougars Earn First Win of Season

Overcoming adversity is something all good football teams must do.

The Piedmont Academy Cougars faced their share of adversity last week but in the end emerged with a 13-7 road win against Westwood. In fact, the adversity started well before the game’s kickoff.

The team left for the long trek at 11:30 on Thursday morning. First the air conditioning was not working on the bus. Later the team found itself on the side of the road due to low tire pressure.

With game time approaching the Cougars had still not arrived at their destination. Even the days leading up to the game with the Westwood Wildcats were difficult as practice and preparation were moved up due to the Thursday kickoff.

Once the contest finally began, however, Piedmont would record the win behind an improved defense and an opportunistic offense and special teams play.

“Adversity is something the coaches have been talking to the players about and how to deal with it,” said coach Will Johnson who notched his first career head coaching victory. “It was a good win for sure.”

Johnson credited the Cougars defense for helping secure the win. He also noted the game plan implemented by defensive coordinator Matt Britt.

“The defense was the reason we won the game,” Johnson said. “We held a very good team to seven points. We answered the bell defensively.”

The game was scoreless after the first quarter. In the final minutes of the first half Piedmont blocked a punt to settle up the game’s initial score. The Cougar coaching staff picked up on a blocking scheme Westwood attempted on punts and decided to go for the block.

Trent Coots was able to make the big special teams play which helped put Piedmont in front at halftime. Two plays after the block the Cougars were in the end zone.

Another key to the win was the defense holding Westwood on the first drive of the second half.

The offense had additional chances to score but despite moving inside the Wildcat 5-yard line on two other occasions were unable to punch the football in the end zone.

“We will work on learning to finish drives,” Johnson said.

Coots finished with 80 total yards of offense, 45 of which were receiving. Defensively he had three tackles for loss as well as the blocked punt on special teams.

Owen Brady once again was a standout defensively at linebacker and Jacob Ferguson had an impact at defensive end in his first action of the 2019 season.

Quarterback Chris Pittman was credited for managing the offense effectively. He was 10-of-18 for 110 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed 13 times for 65 yards. Pittman spread the wealth around as six Piedmont players had receptions.

Tate Marks hauled in three passes for 55 yards and a score.

Johnson said the team’s offensive line is showing improvement. Coaches have used several players in the trenches through the first three contests.

Piedmont is off this Friday and spent Monday and Tuesday of this week working on fundamentals and making improvements in various areas.

The Cougars will face Southwest Georgia, a strong Class AA team, next week. Piedmont began implementing its game plan on Wednesday for its next opponent.