Cougars Trample Bethlehem Christian
It was pretty much over before it started Friday night at Cougar Field.
Piedmont Academy’s varsity football team improved to 2-0 as coaches had a chance to give each team member valuable playing experience as the Cougars crushed visiting Bethlehem Christian Academy, 77-0.
The points scored are a new record for the varsity football program, topping the 68-point mark from 2011 against Griffin Christian.
The game was over — literally — after the first quarter as Piedmont led 49-0. The coaching staff began playing subs in the first half. The Cougars would add two touchdowns in both the second and third quarters before not adding any more points in the fourth.
While games of this nature don’t allow for coaches to tell much about their team, Piedmont coach Wes Tanner said there was one positive.
“All of our backups were able to play for about three quarters,” Tanner said. “Our younger players went there and really got after it.”
Hunter Knox got the contest started with his team’s first touchdown on a 2-yard run. Chase Young would then kick his first of 11 point-after attempts.
Wyatt Galloway hauled in a 21-yard pass from quarterback Zach Beggs for a two-touchdown lead before Beggs found Hank Strickland on a 10-yard scoring pass.
A 33-yard run by Knox and a 13-yard run by Beggs added to the first quarter total.
The special teams also shined for Piedmont Friday night as Michael Edwards returned a punt 46 yards for a score. A 36-yard run from Strickland closed out the first quarter scoring.
Gaven Edge added to the offensive production with a 26-yard run while Mack Brady found the end zone for the first time in his varsity football career on a 46-yard run.
Edwards also scored on a 97-yard run and the final six points came on an interception return from 30 yards out by Seth Wiles.
While the number of points caught people’s attention across the state, the Piedmont defense also played well holding BCA to just 17 yards passing on 3-of-34 attempts. Graham Doolittle did rush for 72 yards for the Knights, who are a young program now competing in just their third full season of varsity play.
For the Cougars, Edwards rushed for 111 yards on just four attempts while Knox added 118 yards on eight carries. Ben Davis rushed six times for 61 yards while Strickland had two carries for 50 yards.
Beggs was 5-of-7 through the air for 143 yards. Galloway had two catches for 52 yards and Strickland had two receptions for 57 yards.
Tanner said he was impressed with the performances of Edwards, Brady, Wiles and Hunter Pope.
Up next for Piedmont will be Griffin Christian tomorrow, Sept. 5, at 7:30 p.m. It will be the third consecutive home game of the 2014 season for the Cougars.
“We are just try to get better each week,” Tanner said. “Griffin Christian is also a young program who is trying to get better. They are a run first team. Their quarterback has the potential to be dangerous. You have to pay attention to what he is doing.”
STATS vs. BCA
•Hunter Knox: eight carries for 118 yards
•Michael Edwards: four carries for 111 yards
•Hank Strickland: two carries for 50 yards
•Ben Davis: eight carries for 61 yards
•Wyatt Galloway: two catches for 52 yards
•Hank Strickland: two receptions for 57 yards
•Zach Beggs: 5-of-7 passing for 143 yards
•Team: 39 rushes for 508 yards
Players of the Week:
•Zach Beggs: Offense
•Seth Wiles: Defense
•Michael Edwards, Chase Young: Special Teams