Cougars Fall In First Round to Brentwood

Piedmont Academy’s football team entered the 2012 season as a young squad that was forced to grow up in a hurry.

The Cougars battled a brutal non-region schedule but would eventually win the Region 4-AA title. Piedmont’s postseason run ended, however, in the first round Friday night in a 17-0 home loss to Brentwood.

Injuries played a factor in the game, but even more so than many would realize, coach Rhett Farmer said.

“Most people would focus on Peter (Lawson) being out, but we were also without Mike Weatherly, our starting center,” the coach said. “McKenzie Brittain was also injured in the first half Friday night. All of that has a trickle down effect because you are moving people out of the position they had been contributing at.”

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With the exception of two plays, Farmer said the Cougar defense played well in the home playoff game.

“Offensively, we moved the football at times, but didn’t hold our blocks long enough,” the coach said. “We didn’t have an identity on offense. If we would have had a couple weeks to prepare then it might have been different.”

In the first half, Piedmont moved the football deep into Brentwood territory twice. On one possession, a pass attempt to Hank Strickland was batted down at the last second, preventing a possible big play.

The Cougars had a chance to score right before halftime but could not capitalize.

“They played eight in the box with a man defense most of the night,” Farmer said. “We just missed some chances. Still, I think we played hard and fought for the win.”

Gaven Edge was moved from tight end to tailback with Lawson out. Lawson suffered a broken collarbone in the win the previous week against Flint River.

“We were out of our comfort zone,” Farmer said. “We also didn’t tackle well in spots but other than their two rushing touchdowns, we played well on defense.”

Hunter Clark had a big night defensively with six solo tackles, 11 assists and two fumble recoveries. Payden Cantera finished with five solo stops (two for loss) and four assists. Malik Reid contributed four solo tackles with five assists.

“Considering how young we were in spots, we did some things well this season,” Farmer said. “If we had been 100 percent healthy for the playoffs then we felt we had a good chance to go to the Final Four. The bracket seemed to be in our favor to do that.”

Despite falling in the opening round of state, Piedmont posted the fifth consecutive region title for the program.

“That is certainly something to build on,” Farmer said. “We just didn’t catch many breaks this season.”

STATS vs. BRENTWOOD

•Hunter Knox: 13 carries; 34 yards, 3-of-9 passing for 52 yards

•Nick Dimsdale: 4 carries; 8 yards, 4-yard reception

•Gaven Edge: 14 carries; 33 yards

•Mills Smith: 1 reception; 14 yards

•Hank Strickland: 1 reception; 34 yards

•Malik Reid: 4 solos, 5 assists

•Hunter Clark: 6 solos, 11 assists and 2 fumble recoveries

•Austin Taylor: 1 solo and 4 assists

•Nick Dimsdale: 1 solo and 2 assists

•Hunter Knox: 1 solo and 3 assists

•Hank Strickland: 3 assists

•Gaven Edge: 1 solo and 2 assists

•Payden Cantera: 5 solos (2 for loss) and 4 assists

•Josh Hempel: 2 solos and 4 assists

•Chris Cain: 3 assists

•Andrew Wilzman: 2 assists

•Evan Harvey: 1 solo and 3 assists

•Justin Autry: 1 solo

•McKenzie Brittain: 3 solos and 4 assists