Piedmont Fall to Brentwood

While the final outcome was still a defeat, the Piedmont Academy football team showed improvement in several areas last Friday as the Cougars battled Brentwood on the road.

Piedmont, now 0-3 for the season, fell 14-6 to the Eagles in a matchup of former region foes. The game was scoreless at halftime and the Cougars took a 6-0 lead in the second half before Brentwood rallied.

“We played with a little more heart,” said Piedmont coach Rhett Farmer. “There are some things we are getting slightly better at. We flew around on defense more. We still have a ways to go technique-wise. However, I liked our intensity.”

The special teams play for the Cougars also showed improvement. “We have played so poor in that area that Friday was a step in the right direction for our special teams,” Farmer said.

{{more}}

Quarterback Hunter Knox was praised for his performance against Brentwood, credited for looking at more than one receiver during pass plays.

“Our defensive secondary played a lot better,” Farmer said. “Our front seven is just so young and so inexperienced. We have to be patient.”

Turnovers were a factor last week as Piedmont gave the football up three times.

“The bottom line is we lost the game and turnovers were a big part of the reason,” Farmer said.

Peter Lawson had a strong night in the offensive backfield rushing for 144 yards on 12 carries with a touchdown. Knox was 6-of-10 through the air for 68 yards. Gaven Edge caught three passes for 12 yards while Hank Strickland hauled in a pass, which covered 28 yards.

Defensively, Hunter Clark, who was the team’s Player of the Week, recorded six solo tackles with five assists. Malik Reid finished with four solo stops and three assists.

Nick Dimsdale (five solo tackles and three assists) and Edge (five solo stops and one assist) also helped lead the defense.

“Being in a close game should help us as the season progresses,” Farmer said. “Our offensive line needs to work on finishing their blocks. We did a better job of competing. It all comes down to blocking and tackling. Hopefully, with this game being close, it will make us more hungry.”

The Piedmont Academy football team will return home this week to face long-time rival Gatewood. The Gators enter the game 1-2 overall. Offensively, Gatewood is using a similar offense to the one used by Piedmont. Long-time Tattnall Square assistant Jeff Ratliff is now coordinating the Gator offense using an I-formation, option-based attack.

“They look very similar to use,” Farmer said. “They have simplified their offense and won’t use as many sets. They are committed to running the option. It’s really no surprise considering Coach Ratliff did it for so long with so much success at Tattnall for almost 20 years.”

Defensively, Gatewood will use a “50” look to slow down the Cougars.

On the injury front, Piedmont had a few players dealing with various issues. Luke Andrews had been out since the first game with neck and back problems.”

“We will keep at it and keep working hard,” Farmer said. “That’s really the only thing we can control.”

Kickoff at Cougar Field is set for 7:30 p.m.

Stats vs. Brentwood

Offensive

•Peter Lawson 12 carries for 144 yards and 1 TD

•Hunter Knox 8 carries for 10 yards, 6-of-10 passing 68 yards,

•Nick Dimsdale 4 carries for 9 yards, 1 reception for 21 yards

•Gaven Edge 3 receptions for 12 yards

•Hank Strickland 1 reception for 28 yards

•Britton Bailey 1 reception for 6 yards

Defensive

•Peter Lawson 3 solos and 1 interception for 20 yards

•Malik Reid 4 solos, 3 assists

•Hunter Clark 6 solos 5 assists

•Britton Bailey 3 solos

•Nick Dimsdale 5 solos, 3 assists

•Hank Strickland 2 solos 2 assists, 1 pass break-up

•Payden Cantera 3 solos 2 assists

•Andrew Wilzman 1 solo 3 assists

•Gaven Edge 5 solos 1 assist

•Justin Autry 1 solo 2 assists

•Chris Cain 3 solos 1 assists

Special Teams

•Zach Wilson: 2 punts for 32-yard net average

•Hunter Knox, 40-yard punt return