Cougars Win Again, Prepare for Huge Test
The Piedmont Academy football team took the field last Friday and handled the task at hand.
However, the Cougars probably weren’t able to enjoy the win long with such a huge challenge this week.
Piedmont defeated Central Fellowship 54-14 last Friday to up its overall record to 6-0 this fall. More importantly, the win gives the Cougars a 2-0 region record.
“We played well in spots,” said Piedmont coach Rhett Farmer. “Our offensive line did a great job of firing off the football. Our quarterback (Zach Benjamin) did a good job running the option. The way the game worked out, we actually didn’t run that many offensive plays.”
Defensively, the Cougars’ secondary played well and the defensive line got better, Farmer said.
“We did have some breakdowns early that concerned me,” the coach said. “Overall, I thought we played well defensively.”
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Hank Strickland had two interceptions while Tyler Cullum and Hunter Knox also had one each.
While Central Fellowship is winless this season, Farmer and his coaches made sure his players did not look ahead.
“Anyone can beat anybody,” the coach said. “Our kids came out and took care of business. We had a very business-like approach to last Friday.”
On offense, Peter Lawson helped lead the offense with 122 yards on just four carries with two of them resulting in touchdowns.
Benjamin added 27 yards on two attempts with two scores.
Nick Dimsdale finished with 86 yards and three scores on only five carries. Gaven Edge contributed 77 yards on five rushes.
Seth Harvey, who converted six extra-point attempts, also had a catch for 51 yards.
“We are just continuing to try and get better,” Farmer said. “It’s a long season. We hope we have several more games.”
This Friday should be the biggest challenge the Cougars have faced to this point in 2011. Piedmont will meet Edmund Burke in a rematch of last year’s state championship game won by the Cougars 26-14. Piedmont also won a 34-14 matchup with the Spartans during the 2010 regular season.
While Edmund Burke lost standout receiver Alex Sturkie to graduation, the Spartans also enter Friday’s game in Monticello undefeated. An impressive 19-10 win against Class AAA Westfield stands out on their schedule.
“While they lost Sturkie, who was their big-play athlete, I think they have become more balanced with their attack,” Farmer said. “That concerns me. Last year they were predictable to a degree. He was their main weapon. However, even with him gone, their entire backfield returns. They are hungry after being the state runner-up. They get a chance to come back to our place and avenge that loss.”
A season ago the Cougars traveled to Edmund Burke during the regular season and won a hard-fought contest.
“After that game, they shook our hands and told us they would meet us again,” Farmer said. “As it turns out, they did. I have a lot of respect for their program. They are well coached and are a gritty, hungry bunch.”
The Piedmont coach said he wants his players to realize this is simply one game during the season. Win or lose, the Cougars will have to move on and continue with their effort of improving each Friday.
“I don’t have to tell our players this is a big game,” Farmer said. “I do have to tell them it’s one big game. It’s not the final big game. This will be our seventh game. We hope to play 13 by the time we are finished. If we do advance deep in the postseason, this game could help determine a lot. We still have a lot of room to improve. Our coaches and players know it’s a big one but we can’t let our season be determined on this one game, win or lose.”
Edmund Burke runs a “spread I” formation on offense in addition to some wishbone. In scouting the team, the Piedmont coaches have seen the Spartans in trip formations in addition to lining up with four and five receivers.
“I believe we will see more sets this year than last season,” Farmer said.
Cougar defensive coordinator Wes Tanner said the Spartans will try and stay as balanced as possible.
“They have put in some new wrinkles this year that are really catching people off guard, and that is always a concern going into a big game,” Tanner said. “They have several quality backs that they try to spread the wealth to and a very seasoned quarterback who really seems to lead his team. We will coach our players up and try to get them in the best possible scenario to succeed. It should be a good one.”
Defensively, Edmund Burke will likely be in a 6-2 scheme with designs to slow down Piedmont’s option attack.
“Their defense is a concern,” Farmer said. “Many times when a team uses different schemes each week, they aren’t very good at any of them. That’s not the case here. They will be strong and tough to move the football against.”
The winner will have the inside track to a region championship and be in position to host at least two state playoff games.
Overall, the Cougars are healthy. Cullum suffered a severe finger sprain last week in practice but played against Central Fellowship and had a standout night. Kickoff Friday is set for 7:30 p.m.
SCOUTING REPORT
THE GAME: Edmund Burke at Piedmont Academy, Friday, Oct. 7, 7:30 p.m., Cougar Field
RECORDS: Piedmont, 6-0 overall, 2-0 in Region 1-AA; Edmund Burke, 5-0 overall, 1-0 in Region 1-AA
LAST MEETING: Piedmont defeated Edmund Burke 26-14 in the 2010 state championship game
COACHES: Piedmont, Rhett Farmer; Edmund Burke, Buddy Sorrow
LAST WEEK: Piedmont defeated Central Fellowship 54-14; Edmund Burke defeated St. Andrews 43-0
ITEMS OF NOTE: Piedmont has not lost a game since the 2009 playoffs. Edmund Burke appears to be the toughest regular season opponent the Cougars will face. Piedmont won a regular season game with the Spartans last season and then won the state championship rematch.
Stats Vs. Central Fellowship:
Offense:
•Peter Lawson: 4 carries for 122 yards, 2 TDs
•Zach Benjamin: 2 carries for 27 yards, 2 TDs, 1-of-2 passing for 51 yards
•Nick Dimsdale: 5 carries for 86 yards, 3 TDs
•Hunter Knox: 1 carry for 15 yards, 1 TD
•Gaven Edge: 5 carries for 77 yards
•Hunter Clark: 3 carries for 9 yards
•Seth Harvey: 1 reception for 51 yards; 6-of-8 on PATs
Defense:
•Peter Lawson: 1 solo and 1 assist
•Hunter Clark: 2 solos (1 for a loss) and 2 assists
•Hank Strickland: 2 interceptions, 3 solos (1 for a loss) and 2 assists
•Britton Bailey: 1 assist
•Nick Dimsdale: 2 solos, 2 assists and 3 pass break ups
•Mills Smith: 2 solos and 2 pass break ups
•Evan Harvey: 3 solos and 1 assist
•Bobby Mitchell: 1 solo and 2 assists
•Hunter Knox: 1 interception, 1 assist and 2 pass break ups
•Zach Beggs: 1 solo and 3 assists
•Gaven Edge: 1 solo, ½ sack (solo was for a loss) and 5 assists
•Tyler Cullum: interception and 1 solo
•Payden Cantera: 1 assist
•Daniel Leinweber: ½ sack
•Jakey Dunagan: 2 assists
•Austin Corley: 1 sack, 1 solo for a loss, and 3 assists
•Seth Harvey: 1solo and 1 assist, 1 QB hurry
•Justin Wilson: 1 sack and 1 assist
•Josh Hempel: 2 solos (1 for a loss) and 2 assists
•Zack Whitwell: 1 solo
•Andrew Wilzman: 2 solos