Cougars Fall To Lions in Close Road Game

Piedmont Academy’s varsity football team fell for the second time this season but the game against the Loganville Christian Academy Lions was not decided until the final play of the contest.

The Cougars dropped a 13-6 road contest after playing its second Class AAA opponent in as many weeks. Piedmont led the game 6-0 at halftime after a 10-play, 80-yard drive was capped by a 20-yard touchdown reception by J.T. Webb from Tate Marks with 6:14 left in the second quarter.

LCA scored two second half touchdowns to avenge a loss to Piedmont in 2016. The Cougars moved into Lions territory one final time before a Hail Mary attempt on the game’s final play from the LCA 37-yard line fell short.

“We showed a lot of improvement,” said coach Wes Tanner. “I was proud of the heart and effort we put into the game. We continued to battle until the final play when we had a chance to tie or win.”

Owen Brady led Piedmont with 61 rushing while Marks passed for 110 yards. Webb hauled in 55 yard receiving.

Defensively Parker Clark led the Cougars with four tackles and two assists while Webb had four stops with four assists. Logan Conner finished the game with four tackles and an assist while Tanner Coppock and Dylan Coe both recorded two tackles.

“We need to continue to work on some things but we are a young bunch,” Tanner said. “We are gaining valuable experience against some quality opponents.”

Piedmont will play its third Class AAA foe in as many weeks when the Cougars travel to defending state champion John Milledge Academy Friday for an 8 p.m. kickoff. The game will be a tall challenge for Piedmont and could very well be the toughest test of the season for the Cougars.

“It will be a challenge,” Tanner said. “We will use this as an opportunity to get better. That will be our message throughout the week and throughout the game.”

Coach Tanner said the opponents his squad has faced to this point in 2017 should prove beneficial down the road once the Cougars begin their own region schedule.

John Milledge was undefeated in 2016 and is off to a 2-0 start outscoring its first two opponents by a 61-0 mark. Kickoff Friday in Milledgeville is set for 8 p.m.

Players of the Week vs LCA

Overall: Brett Bush

Offense: Tate Marks

Defense: Logan Conner