Cougars Back on Track With Win

Piedmont Academy’s varsity football team enjoyed the thrill of victory again last Friday as the Cougars defeated visiting Crisp Academy 42-38.

The win was especially meaningful for Piedmont as the victory helped avenge a loss to the Wildcats earlier this season and also came on homecoming for 2018. The win improved the Cougars to 3-4-1 overall.

Despite it being a high scoring game, Piedmont had some strong defensive performances. JT Webb finished with a team high nine tackles while Logan Conner and Tanner Locklear both had five defensive stops.

The Cougar offense had perhaps its best outing of 2018 with 400 total yards. Tate Marks rushed the football 30 times for 217 yards and four touchdowns. Conner also surpassed the 100-yard mark with 101 on 18 carries with two touchdowns.

Webb also had a solid night offensively with five rushes for 48 yards.

Head coach Mike Parris had noted that the first game between the schools was close until late in the fourth quarter and that the final score was not a true indicator of how competitive it was.

The schedule continues to be tough for Piedmont this week as it ventures to Robert Toombs Academy in Lyons on Friday. Robert Toombs enters the game 6-2 overall with wins against Pinewood, Westwood, Creekside Christian, Briarwood, Monsignor Donovan and St. Andrews.

The lone losses in 2018 for Crusaders were against Edmund Burke and Brentwood.

The Cougars will need to have more strong performances on the field similar to what they have had in recent weeks.

In the first game against Crisp back on Oct. 5, Conner had 91 yards rushing on 14 carries. Marks had 56 yards rushing on eight attempts and also passed for 101 yards.

Webb caught five passes for 63 yards and Conner had three receptions for 38 yards and a score in the Oct. 5 contest.

Defensively, Conner had seven tackles while Locklear recorded six and Webb finished with five.

In the Oct. 12 contest against Flint River Marks rushed for 81 yards and 20 attempts while Conner added 42 yards on the ground. Webb finished with 34 yards rushing and a score.

Defensively, Eric Tobler led the team against Flint River with 11 tackles. Webb finished with nine and Locklear recorded six.

Parris said it will take similar efforts this week against a strong Robert Toombs squad. The coach said he wants his team to improve each week as it continues the rebuilding process.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.