Cougars Post Another Win, 54-21
Despite a sluggish start, the Piedmont Academy football team posted another runaway victory Friday night, defeating Robert Toombs 54-21 on the road.
Piedmont is now 8-0 overall and, more importantly, 4-0 in Region 1-AA with two games remaining. The Cougars will host Brentwood this week, which is also undefeated in region play.
“We played like a team that had come off a big win and then had a week off,” said Piedmont coach Rhett Farmer, of his team’s win last Friday. “We were sluggish in the first quarter, especially on defense. We did play better in the second half.”
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Offensively, the Cougars once again posted big numbers, both on the scoreboard and on the stat sheet. Zach Benjamin had one of his best games of the season rushing for 198 yards and three scores on 12 carries.
Peter Lawson added 164 yards on 15 carries with two touchdowns.
Nick Dimsdale scored a touchdown and rushed for 38 yards on six attempts. He also had a 12-yard pass reception.
“Offensively, we moved the football all night,” Farmer said. “We didn’t play perfect. We missed some blocking assignments early. Nothing was surprising considering we were off last week.”
The coach said his team was on its heels early as Robert Toombs experienced some success moving the football.
“We came through it, but we have to get better,” Farmer said. “Our kids played hard. We just were not very sharp. It was a long road trip and we had to move our practices inside during the week because of the rain. In the end, we came out with a big win so I am proud of our team for that.”
Piedmont faces a tough challenge this week in the Brentwood Eagles. Brentwood, who is a traditionally strong program with state championships in its storied past, has won all four of its region games after a 0-4 start. Three of those games were against AAAA schools. Region wins have included Robert Toombs (49-14), Gatewood (17-7), Westminster (51-7) and Central Fellowship (61-28).
“We cannot let their overall record lull us to sleep,” Farmer said. “This is a very big game. You could almost look at it like a region championship game. They are playing well. I’m not sure if anyone is playing as well as they are right now.”
Coach Bert Brown has run the Wing-T offense for several years, which helps make the program successful.
“They are a sound, quality program,” Farmer said. “They are well coached. Any thought of us overlooking this team is not in the discussion. This is just as big as the Edmund Burke game, if not bigger.”
Andy Bonifay directs the Eagle offense with help from wingbacks Garrett Riggs and Damon Harris.
“They do what they do,” Farmer said. “They’ve been in the Wing-T since Coach Brown has been there. They are committed to it. That’s why they are good.”
Farmer said Piedmont may have the size advantage up front, but Brentwood counters with quickness.
Defensively, the Eagles are traditionally a 4-4 team but may go to a 5-3 to attempt to slow down the Cougar running game. “We’ve moved the football well against them in the past,” Farmer said. “Hopefully, we can continue that this season.”
Several Piedmont players are dealing with various nagging injuries at this point in the season.
“We’ve played two very physical games in a row,” Farmer said. “Even with a bye week in between it’s tough to do that and not have it have an impact.”
Friday will be Senior Night for all fall sport athletes. A special recognition program will begin at 7 p.m.
PLAYER OF THE GAME Zach Benjamin
STATS VS. EDMUND BURKE
Offensive
•Peter Lawson: 15 carries for 164 yards, 2 TDs
•Zach Benjamin: 12 carries for 198 yards, 3 TDs, 1-of-2 passing for 12 yards, 2-point conversion pass and 2-point conversion run
•Nick Dimsdale: 6 carries for38 yards, 1 TD, 1 reception for 12 yards
•Gaven Edge: 2 carries for 53 yards, 1 TD
•Hunter Clark: 1 carry for 2 yards
•Hunter Knox: 2 carries for 3 yards
•Britton Bailey: 1 reception for 2-point conversion
•Seth Harvey: 2-of-5 on PATs
Defensive
•Peter Lawson: 4 solos and 6 assists
•Hunter Clark: 5 solos (1 for loss) and 5 assists
•Hank Strickland: 3 solos, 3 assists and one interception
•Britton Bailey: 1 assist
•Nick Dimsdale: 1 solo and 2 assists
•Hunter Knox: 4 solos
•Zach Beggs: 1 solo and 1 assist
•Gaven Edge: 3 solos , 2 assists and recovered block punt in end zone for TD
•Tyler Cullum: 2 solos and 3 assists
•Payden Cantera: 5 solos (1 for loss) and 5 assists
•Daniel Leinweber: 1 solo and 3 assists
•Jakey Dunagan: 3 solos and 1 assist
•Austin Corley: 2 solos, 4 assists and 1 fumble recovery
•Seth Harvey: 4 solos, 1 QB sack and 6 assists
•Justin Wilson: 3 solos and 3 assists
•Joshua Hempel: 1 assist
•McKenzie Brittain: 1 assist
•Mills Smith: 1 solo
•Luke Andrews: 1 assist
•Chase Olsen: 1 assist
•Evan Harvey: 3 assists