Piedmont Falls to Trinity On Road
Piedmont Academy’s varsity football team faced yet another quality opponent last Friday falling to Trinity Christian School-Dublin 55-13 on the road.
“Trinity is an experienced team and their defensive line controlled the game,” coach Wes Tanner said. “We don’t offer much resistance. We’ll keep plugging and try to get better. That’s what you have to do in these situations.”
Tate Marks had a solid game at quarterback for the Cougars throwing a score and rushing for another. Marks passed for 90 yards, including a 15-yard score to J.T. Webb, and reached the end zone on a 5-yard run.
Defensively, Webb, Caleb Faircloth and Parker Clark helped pace Piedmont.
The tough schedule continues this Friday for Piedmont as the Cougars remain on the road against long-time rival Gatewood. Tanner knows the challenge will be tough once again as the Gators enter the game 4-0.
Gatewood has wins against Brentwood (34-0), Monsignor Donovan (66-0), Tiftarea Academy (55-14) and Loganville Christian (54-7) this season. The Gators were the Class AAA state runner-up last season.
“I pay a lot of respect to Gatewood,” Tanner said. “They stick to what they do and do things the right way.”
The game plan for the Cougars will be simple Friday night.
“We have to control the clock,” Tanner said. “That will be the biggest thing for us. We want to hold onto the football and limit their big plays.”
Piedmont defensive coordinator Michael Wilson said Gatewood runs the traditional I-option offense and have plenty of weapons to choose from.
“We will have to play disciplined, assignment football because any breakdowns we have will result in a big play,” Wilson said. “Their offensive line is not big but they are sound and get to where they are supposed to be on each play. They play hard and they play as a unit. They are the type of team you like to watch but one that keeps you up at nights when you have to face them. We hope to slow them down and make some stops for our offense.”
Both Tanner and Wilson agree the 2017 schedule has been extremely difficult for the Cougars.
“The schedule has been brutal and after this weekend we will have arguably played five potential Final Four teams in either AAA and AA,” Wilson said. “However, I am proud to see our players understand this and realize it is making us better and that we do have a real chance of winning our region. I think that’s important with such an inexperienced team for them to understand.”
Dealing with adversity is key for any team, Wilson said, and is something the Cougars have to learn from.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. in Eatonton.
Players of the Week vs. Trinity
•Overall: Tate Marks
•Offense: J.T. Webb
•Defense: Parker Clark
Stats vs. Trinity
Offense:
•Tate Marks: 7-of-19 passing for 90 yards, 1 TD; 8 rushes for 21 yards, 1 TD
•Logan Conner: 7 rushes for 20 yards, 1 catch for 11 yards
•Owen Brady: 4 rushes for 6 yards
•J.T. Webb: 4 catches for 60 yards
•Caleb Faircloth: 1 catch for 15 yards
•Dylan Coe: 1 catch for 4 yards
Defense
•J.T Webb: 3 tackles, 3 assists
•Caleb Faircloth: 3 tackles, 1 assist
•Parker Clark: 2 tackles, 1 assists
•Noah Faubli: 1 tackle, 2 assists
•Tanner Locklear: 1 tackle, 1 assist
•Logan Conner, 2 assists
•Owen Brady: 2 assists
•Brett Bush: 2 assists
•Dylan Coe: 1 assist
•Cameron Mobley: 1 assist