Young Cougars Record First Win of Season

Piedmont Academy’s Junior Pro (Elementary School) football team make a trek to Pinehurst Tuesday and returned home with a victory against Fullington Acadey.

The young Cougars held on for a 20-13 win, their first victory of the season.

I can’t fully express how proud I am of the effort given by these boys,” said coach Justin Owens. “They continue to improve and really came together as a team. I also want to express my appreciation to the wonderful parents we have supporting this team and the development of these young players.”

After allowing an early touchdown by the Trojans in the first quarter, Piedmont’s defense stepped up and played its best game of the year, Owens said, keeping the opponent out of the end zone for the remainder of the first half.

The Cougars also scored in the first quarter on a run by fifth grade tailback Carson Hammock.

In the second quarter, fifth grade quarterback Mason Owens broke loose on a 52-yard run, capped by a two-point conversion run by Hammock.

Fullington attempted to add a late score in the first half, but the drive was stopped on an interception by fourth grader Boone Pope, which allowed the Cougars to still lead 14-7 at intermission.

The second half was a defensive struggle. Fullington managed a touchdown in the third quarter but failed on the extra point to still trail 14-13.

Piedmont’s offense was able to add another score on a 52-yard run early in the fourth quarter by Hammock.

Smelling victory for the first time this season, the Cougars continue to excel defensively, keeping Fullington out of the end zone. Fifth grader Drew Maddox broke up what appeared to be a possible game-tying touchdown pass which forced an incompletion.

The Cougars were on the field defensively most of the final quarter and had to make a final stand as the Trojans got to the 4-yard line. After being stuffed on the first play and using its final timeout, Fullington moved to the 2-yard line on a penalty against Piedmont.

The Cougars would hold, however, as the final seconds ticked away for the victory.

The offense was led by Hammock, who finished with 113 yards and two touchdowns. Owens helped lead the defense with 10 tackles (six for a loss). Fifth graders Joe Clark, Maddox and Dalton Wallace all had six tackles.

Pope had several defensive stops including a quarterback sack and interception. Fourth graders Sean Davis and Ridge Stroud and second grader Matt Allen all had key tackles.

“In a night where the defense really led the way, the entire team played at one point or another on the defensive side of the ball and each player participated fully for the win,” Coach Owens said.