Cougars Earn First Win
In what had to be termed a “gritty”and “gutsy” performance, the Piedmont Academy football team took a 28-7 road win against Bethlehem Christian Academy last Friday to notch the first win of 2015 for the Cougars.
Piedmont’s defense turned away Bethlehem Christian on three potential scoring opportunities, which could have changed the outcome of the contest. The Knights were playing their first-ever on-campus football game in a newly constructed stadium and had plenty of enthusiasm and emotion on their side following a lopsided loss to the Cougars a year ago.
“We picked ourselves up when the chips seemed to be down,” said Piedmont coach Wes Tanner. “We improved as a football team. Our secondary played well defensively and we fought for a win in a game that could have easily turned out differently.”
The Cougars jumped out to a 14-0 lead before BCA got on the scoreboard on a 1-yard run by Chris Ratterree with 2:13 before halftime. A turnover by Piedmont on the following possession put the Knights in prime position to tie the game at halftime.
BCA, however, was out of time-outs and after gaining a first and goal at the one-yard line, the Knights would run out of time as the first half ended.
The Cougars took the opening kickoff of the second half and began on their own 18-yard line. After gaining a first down, Piedmont was forced to punt.
, beginning at its own 40-yard line, moved inside the Cougar 20-yard line before stalling and attempting a 29-yard field goal. The attempt was blocked and the Piedmont defense held once again.
The Cougar offense then took over and moved into Knights territory keyed by a 39-yard run by Ben Davis. The drive eventually ended on an unsuccessful fourth and fourth play.
BCA then moved from its own 32-yard line to the Piedmont 20 before being unable to convert on a fourth and two. It was the third potential scoring opportunity by the Knights that the Cougar defense prevented points from being put on the scoreboard.
Piedmont then gave itself some breathing room, on a touchdown by Chris McClain. The play actually started on a run by quarterback Mack Brady, who fumbled, only to see McClain scoop the loose football up and get into the end zone.
The final score of the night came on a 1-yard run by Davis with 3:55 left. A pass from Brady to McClain helped set up the score.
The game was scoreless after the first quarter and it was not until the 9:53 mark of the second period that the Cougars got on the scoreboard on a 14-yard run by Brady. The point after attempt was unsuccessful to leave the score at 6-0.
Piedmont’s defense pushed the score to 8-0 on a safety at the 8:57 mark. That play helped give the Cougar offense possession again at their own 49-yard line. A 30-yard touchdown pass to Michael Edwards then made the score 14-0 with 6:09 left before halftime after another unsuccessful point after attempt.
The game was much more competitive than the 2014 contest which saw Piedmont take a 77-0 win. Tanner predicted as much earlier in the week as he said BCA was an improved team which seemed to be more comfortable on offense and defense.
The coach said McClain and Davis both made key plays throughout the game for the Cougars.
Chris Cain and Noah Quick both had strong defensive performances along with Tanner Coppock. Michael Edwards had an interception in the second half.
In the first half, Piedmont ran 42 plays as compared to 23 for Bethlehem Christian. The Cougars had 11 first downs in the first two quarters with the Knights earning five.
Davis finished the game with 118 yards on 22 carries. Brady was 6-of-15 for 107 yards, 70 of which were to McClain.
“I think Bethlehem Christian will end up being one of the most improved teams we play,” Tanner said. “They are improving as a program and playing with more confidence.”
Up next for Piedmont will be the third road game in as many weeks for the Cougars as they venture to Griffin Christian Friday for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
The Crusaders enter the game 0-1 following a 44-7 loss to Dawson Street on Aug. 21. Griffin Christian was 2-8 in 2014.
Tanner said it will be important for his team to focus completely on this week’s opponent.
“We aren’t good enough to just show up and beat anybody,” the coach said. “We need to have a good week of preparation and then go out and play well and do the things we are capable of doing in order to have success. We need to play with a strong level of intensity.”