Jr. Pro Cougars Fall to Gatewood

Piedmont Academy’s Jr. Pro team traveled to Gatewood in Eatonton Tuesday night where it was apparent the Gators had a score to settle after their loss to the Cougars the previous week.

Despite a strong offensive showing by Piedmont which included 238 yards of total offense and four touchdowns, it was not enough to hold off the host Gators as Piedmont fell 48-28.

After a fumble and turnover on Piedmont’s first play from scrimmage, the Gators ended up in excellent field position and scored quickly in the first quarter, but failed on the extra point attempt.

The Cougars rebounded on their next possession when sixth grader Joe Clark rumbled for 60 yards for a touchdown. After a holding penalty on the extra point attempt, sixth grader Mason Owens converted the two-point try on a 15-yard run which gave the Cougars their only lead of the night.

Gatewood answered with a nine-play drive resulting in a touchdown and two-point conversion to regain the lead at 14-8. Piedmont answered with a seven-play drive which was capped with a 35-yard touchdown run by third grader Matt Allen on a fourth and 5. The extra point attempt failed, however, leaving the score tied at 14.

The Gators’ were able to get another touchdown right before the half, however.

The second half started slow for the Cougars and they were unable to find the end zone while Gatewood managed two more touchdowns.

There was a bit of comeback attempt in the fourth quarter, which saw two more touchdowns for the Cougars. One came on a one-yard run by Owens which was set up by a 40-yard reception by Allen.

Another score came on a 20-yard run by fourth grader Hudson Reed. That score was set up by a big fumble caused by sixth grader Drew Maddox which was recovered by sixth grader Sean Davis.

However those points proved to be not enough and game expired with a 48-28 Gatewood win.

The defensive leaders for the night were Maddox with nine tackles and Reed who had six.

“I think the holiday weekend really hurt us as we gave the boys a break from practice in order spend time with their families,” said coach Marc Allen. “The lack of practice really showed and we weren’t fully prepared for this game and the other team was. We will learn from this loss and I expect more big things from this team over the remaining games.”