Cougars Advance To Semifinals
Piedmont Academy’s football team took a big step toward its ultimate goal in 2014 with a 28-14 quarterfinal playoff victory last Friday night against Robert Toombs Christian Academy.
The Cougars (9-1 overall) built a 21-0 lead and then held on in the second half against the Crusaders, who won the 2013 Class A state title before moving up this fall. Piedmont will now host Monsignor Donovan in a semifinal matchup this Friday, also at Cougar Field.
“What a game,” said Piedmont Academy coach Wes Tanner.” You almost find it tough to explain just what a great effort we had. The key was the way we played such a team effort on defense. That’s what is more impressing than anything. We don’t have to count on any one person. Every player is a key spoke in the wheel.”
In the game with Robert Toombs, Piedmont’s defense played a major part in the win, stopping several scoring opportunities by its opponent. The Crusaders took the game’s opening kickoff and marched from their own 14-yard line before stalling on a fourth and one at the Cougar 26. Robert Toombs completed a 61-yard pass for a touchdown, but the play was nullified for a block in the back penalty.
Once Piedmont took possession at its own 31, the Cougars used 12 plays to find the end zone on a four-yard pass from Zach Beggs to Michael Edwards. Chase Young’s extra point kick made it 7-0 with 11:21 left before halftime.
An interception by Mack Brady stopped the next series for Robert Toombs and the Cougars then moved in front 14-0 on a one-yard run from fullback Jeremiah Dave on fourth and goal. Young’s kick made it a two score game with 7:28 left before halftime.
The Crusaders then returned the ensuing kickoff to the Piedmont 22-yard and set themselves up in prime position for a score. The Cougars defense, however, held and fourth down. Piedmont then delivered another score when Hunter Knox raced 86 yards for the end zone on the first play after the change of possession.
Robert Toombs tried again before halftime to put points on the scoreboard and had a first and goal at the Cougars six-yard line. Once again, however, Piedmont’s defense held and took a three-touchdown lead into the locker room at halftime. Zach Wilson had a quarterback sack during the Crusaders’ final possession of the first half.
“It feels good to get this win,” Wilson said after the quarterfinal contest. “We just kept working and knew if we did what we were supposed to do then everything would be fine.”
Wilson, along with teammate Chris Cain, helped spearhead one of the team’s top defensive performances of the season.
“We knew what we had to do and we went out did it,” Cain said. “We believe in our teammates and play well for each other. It’s all about the team. Right now we have to remember that we can’t let up. We will need another good week of practice for the semifinals.”
Tanner and the Piedmont coaching staff told the team at halftime that Robert Toombs was not going to quit and that the Cougars had to avoid a letdown.
The Crusaders pulled to within 21-7 on a one-yard run by Rico Rogers with 11:55 left in the fourth quarter. Rogers, who entered the game as one of the top statistical running backs in the GISA, was held in check by the Piedmont defense, coordinated by Jeff Beggs. Rogers finished the game with just 23 yards on 12 carries.
Robert Toombs forced a punt on the next series for the Cougars. The Crusaders went three and out, however, thanks in part to two defensive plays by Wyatt Galloway.
Once Piedmont regained possession, Knox stepped in at quarterback and directed a six-play, 52-yard drive. The senior then capped the drive on a 35-yard scoring run with 6:23 left. Knox added another impressive performance for the season rushing for 217 yards on 30 carries with two scores. He compiled a 7.2 yard per carry. Knox now has 1,936 yards for 2014 with 26 touchdowns.
“That was an offensive package we have been keeping under wraps,” Tanner said. “We have been working on it a couple of weeks, but we didn’t have to show it. It’s nothing extremely different, just a new look.
That score gave the Cougars enough breathing run to survive any more threats by Robert Toombs. The Crusaders did add a 15-yard touchdown pass with 2:53 left but were unable to recover the onsides kick.
The final possession by Robert Toombs ended on an interception by Edwards.
The game was hyped as a matchup of teams with two of the top rushers in GISA Class AA in Piedmont’s Knox vs. Robert Toombs’ Rogers. In the end, Knox compiled 219 yards on the ground while the Crusaders had only 33 yards as a team.
Robert Toombs quarterback Brentt Anderson was 17-of-35 for 174 yards.
Piedmont’s offensive line, consisting of Clay Kirkpatrick, Payden Cantera, Nolan Cleary, Cain and Edwards helped lead the Cougars on offense.
Even with Friday’s night’s win still fresh on their minds, Piedmont coaches and players immediately began to look ahead to the semifinal matchup with Monsignor Donovan and some “unfinished business,” as Coach Tanner termed it.
The teams faced off Sept. 12 in Athens, but the game was called in the second quarter due to weather conditions. The game was tied 14-14 when it was called but, it did not count as official since an entire half had not been completed.
The Rams are one of the most improved programs in the state. A year ago, Monsignor Donovan went 4-4 in its first season of varsity play. This fall sees the team at 8-2 overall and the No. 1 seed from Region 4-AA. The Rams defeated Southwest Georgia 35-14 last week.
“Their scheme fits their personnel very well, especially on offense,” Tanner said.
Monsignor Donovan uses multiple sets out of a spread scheme.
“We have to eliminate the big plays,” Tanner said. “We want to make sure we get lined up in a sound scheme. We have to take away the home run play that they are capable of making.”
The Rams played “solid football” in their playoff opener against Southwest Georgia, coach Kurt Page said. A.J. Stokes had two rushing touchdowns and also had eight tackles and two sacks on defense.
Lee Brackman was 8-of-22 through the air for 151 yards and a score. Jeremiah Jordan had one rushing touchdown as well as a receiving score.
Defensively, Cannan McCloud (six tackles, two interceptions) and Braxton Haley (seven tackles, one interception) stood out defensively in the win for Monsignor Donovan.
Kickoff at Cougar Field is set for 7:30 p.m.
NOTES: Captains for last week’s playoff opener for Piedmont were Hank Strickland, Hunter Knox, Gaven Edge and Payden Cantera.
The 1992 and 2014 state baseball championship teams were recognized at halftime Friday.
Players of the Week
•Offense: Hank Strickland
•Defense: Entire defensive unit
•Special Teams: Gaven Edge
•Overall: Michael Edwards
Stats vs. Robert Toombs
•Hunter Knox: 30 carries for 217 yards, 2 TDS
•Zach Beggs: 2-of-4 passing for 22 yards
•Michael Edwards: 3 solo tackles, 5 assists
•Jeremiah Dave: 1 solo tackle, 8 assists
•Gaven Edge: 2 solo tackles, 10 assists, 1 tackle for loss
•Wyatt Galloway: 5 assists, 2 pass breakups
•Hank Strickland: 1 solo tackle, 6 assists, 1 tackle for loss
•Mack Brady: 1 interception, 1 assist
•Payden Cantera: 3 assists
•Zach Wilson: 1 tackle, 1 assists, 1 tackle for loss, 1 quarterback pressure
•Chris Cain: 2 solo tackles, 7 assists, 1 quarterback pressure, 1 pass breakup
•Ben Davis: 3 solo, 1 assists, 1 pass breakup
•Chase Young: 4-of-4 on extra-point kicks, 1 tackle on special teams
Scouting Report vs. Monsignor Donovan
•The Game: Piedmont Academy hosts Monsignor Donovan, Friday, 7:30 p.m., GISA Class AA semifinals, Cougar Field, Admission $8 for adults, $5 for students
•Records: Piedmont, 9-1, No. 1 seed from 1-AA ; Monsignor Donovan, 8-2, No. 1 seed from 4-AA
•Coaches: Piedmont, Wes Tanner; Monsignor Donovan, Kurt Page
•Last Week: Piedmont defeated Robert Toombs 28-14. Monsignor Donovan defeated Southwest Georgia 35-14
•Notes: The two teams played for approximately a quarter and a half on Sept. 12 in Athens. The game was not finished due to weather conditions. Both teams had put 14 points on the scoreboard when the game was called. Piedmont’s defense had a big night last Friday limiting Robert Toombs’ powerful ground attack. The Cougars led 21-0 at halftime. The Monsignor Donovan Rams’ lone losses have been to AAA teams. Piedmont’s lone setback was to Class AAA John Milledge. The winner will advance to the state championship on Saturday, Nov. 29, against the survivor of the Memorial Day-Georgia Christian game. The championship game will be at Mercer University in Macon.