Cougars Open Season with Big Win

A big night of offense, along with a rapidly improving defense, helped the Piedmont Academy football team open the 2011 season with a convincing victory.

The Cougars (1-0) defeated visiting Brookwood from Thomasville, 49-27. On a night when his offense compiled 456 yards on the ground, Piedmont coach Rhett Farmer was also impressed with his team’s defense.

“To get gashed like we did early and still win says a lot about us,” Farmer said. “We are very young on defense but we improved as the game went along. Coach Wes Tanner and Coach Josh Daher made some great defensive adjustments.”

Brookwood jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead and then moved back in front following a scoring answer by the Cougars.

“I was very pleased with our team’s effort and the toughness we showed,” Farmer said.

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Tanner, who is the team’s defensive coordinator, believes there is great potential for the season.

“They have to stick with it and believe in the scheme and we will be just fine,” Tanner said. “There is still a ton of room for growth and improvement though.”

Peter Lawson was praised for his effort on the defensive side of the football and Farmer said Hank Strickland and Hunter Clark played well in the secondary as they stepped into key roles.

Offensively, Lawson had a monster night with 275 yards on 13 carries. Quarterback Zach Benjamin had a successful debut adding 77 yards on 13 carries.

“Zach did a great job and ran the option well,” Farmer said.

Gaven Edge added 71 yards on just three carries while Nick Dimsdale finished with 22 yards on the ground as well as a 21-yard reception from Benjamin.

“You don’t get disappointed when you rush for that many yards,” Farmer said. “We did run it well. Peter Lawson had a great 85-yard run on a busted play that helped us take the lead for the first time.”

With standout Jakey Dunagan out for approximately a month following an emergency appendectomy, Seth Harvey moved from tight end to tackle. Payden Cantera was placed at the tight end position. McKenzie Brittain also earned snaps on offense.

Defensively with Dunagan out, Daniel Leinweber played at defensive tackle. Farmer said Leinweber was already slated to be in the defensive rotation.

On special teams, Austin Corley stepped in at long snapper. Harvey also had a big night on special teams as he converted 3-of-4 extra point attempts and had a 42-yard punt. Three of his kickoffs also were for touchbacks.

Piedmont will remain at home this Friday when the Cougars host Nathanael Greene. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

Bill Byce is in his first season with the Patriots and is using the Wing-T offense.

“It will be the second week in a row we’ve seen that offense,” Farmer said. “They have some good backs. Their philosophy is to keep it simple. They are staying with five or six plays. That tells me Coach Byce is building and focusing on building a foundation. To me, that’s good coaching.”

Farmer said Nathanael Green’s Ben Holcomb is a quick wingback whom Piedmont will need to contain.

Friday will be the first game of 2011 for the Patriots. While Farmer and the Piedmont coaches saw tape of the John Hancock Classic in which Nathanael Greene scrimmaged, special teams remains a mystery.

STATS vs. BROOKWOOD

Offense

•Peter Lawson: 13 carries for 275 yards, four touchdowns

•Zach Benjamin: 13 carries for 77 yards, two touchdowns; 1-of-3 passing, one touchdown

•Gaven Edge: three carries for 71 yards

•Nick Dimsdale: four carries for 22 yards, one reception for 21 yards, one touchdown

•Hunter Knox: one carry for five yards

•Payden Cantera: two carries for six yards

Defense

•Peter Lawson: five solos, two assists

•Hunter Clark: three assists, one fumble recovery

•Hank Strickland: three solos, two assists

•Nick Dimsdale: one solo, two assists

•Evan Harvey: one solo

•Zach Benjamin: two solo, one assist

•Glade Tuggle: one solo, one assist, one fumble recovery

•Payden Cantera: 1 solo, four assists, one tackle for loss

•Austin Corley: five solos, four assists

•Seth Harvey: four solos, four assists, one tackle for loss

•Justin Wilson: one solo, four assists

•Tyler Cullum, two pass breakups

PLAYERS OF THE GAME:

•Peter Lawson: Offense

•Austin Corley: Defense

•Seth Harvey: Special Teams