Cougars Begin New Season Friday
After reaching the top of the mountain in 2010, the Piedmont Academy football team is set to begin the adventure again this week.
The Cougars will host Brookwood this Friday, Aug. 19 for the season opener as the defending GISA state AA champions, but coach Rhett Farmer knows 2011 is a new year completely.
“It’s always exciting to start a new season and have the first game,” Farmer said. “We just want to improve as the year goes on and be playing our best when the region schedule begins in a few weeks.”
Friday’s game with Brookwood was a late addition to the schedule after the Sept. 17 game with Harvester was cancelled. Farmer said the coaches and players have had to adjust to get ready in a shorter amount of time.
“In the long run, it won’t have an impact with us playing a week early,” the coach said. “In the short term it does. You don’t want to rush too much for the first game and not see the big picture. You want to win but you are having to start a week ahead.”
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Offensively for the Cougars, Zach Benjamin takes over at quarterback with Nick Dimsdale at fullback and Peter Lawson at tailback.
Benjamin, a state track champion, runs the option well, Farmer said.
“We are really excited about his potential,” the coach said.
Freshmen Zach Beggs and Hunter Knox are the backups at quarterback. Payden Cantera will also see time at fullback.
Farmer said Lawson has experience in the backfield and has waited patiently for his chance to step in as the full-time starter. Dimsdale has also been impressive in the preseason at fullback with his quickness.
“Our backfield is new but we are excited about it,” Farmer said.
On paper, the offensive line could be viewed as the team’s strength. Center Daniel Leinweber, right guard Glade Tuggle, right tackle Jakey Dunagan, tight end Seth Harvey, left guard Justin Wilson and left tackle Austin Corley will anchor the offensive front this fall.
Evan Harvey and McKenzie Brittain will add depth to the line.
“Our returning linemen would be considered a strength,” Farmer said. “We still use a tight end while many teams have gone to the spread and three receivers.”
Dunagan had an emergency appendectomy Monday and is expected to be out at least three weeks. That will cause some reshuffling on the offensive front.
The coach did note that Harvey has very little experience playing tight end and that Tuggle is moving into the starting lineup.
‘The others have seen plenty of action at their positions,” Farmer said.
Tyler Cullum and Bobby Mitchell are the projected starters at receiver although Mills Smith and Britton Bailey will get plenty of work. Gaven Edge will also see playing time at tight end.
“We want to run seven or eight plays and execute them well,” Farmer said. “We are not trying to fool anyone. Our playbook is not huge — it hasn’t been since I’ve been here. We are a run-first team and then play action. Our goal is simply to not turn the football overall and to execute our plays better than our opponent.”
Defensively, Corley will be at nose guard with Dunagan and Harvey at the tackles and Wilson and Edge at ends. Lawson and Cantera will be at linebacker with Hunter Clark and Dimsdale at the corners.
Cullum will be at one safety position while the other was still open going into this week. Benjamin will be at the spot some but the coaches would like to rest him as much as possible. Knox and Mitchell could see playing time at safety.
Farmer said players will be shuffled in and out, especially on the defensive front, to help combat the heat.
“Our defense is very young and inexperienced in spots,” the coach said. “We do have some experience but overall we are young. We just want to play disciplined football. We are going to see a misdirection team in our opener and that can cause your secondary some problems. It could also give our young linebackers some issues.”
Piedmont’s defensive scheme is all about discipline, Farmer said.
“We are designed to stop the run first,” he said. “In our league you have to do that. Our front seven has to be very disciplined and our four defensive backs have to play solid and be quality tacklers and don’t get beat over the top.”
Special teams remained somewhat of a question mark going into this week. The earlier than usual regular season opener has cut down on the preparation time for special teams although Farmer said it would be an emphasis this week in practice.
Harvey will handle a good bit of the kicking duties and Dunagan is a standout at long snapper, even drawing the attention of some Division 1-A colleges.
Brookwood runs the option using an inside veer, similar to Piedmont, along with counter trap play and the belly option.
“Their quarterback is a great runner and thrower,” Farmer said. “We will have to play assignment football and know who is accountable for the quarterback, pitch back and dive back. They can go the distance on any play.”
One thing which makes Brookwood scary, according to Farmer, is the entire backfield for the Warriors returns.
Defensively, Brookwood used a 3-5 look a season ago although the Piedmont coaches are also preparing for a split four scheme.
Game time Friday is set for 7:30 p.m.
Those assisting Farmer with the program this fall include: Wes Tanner, defensive coordinator, linebackers and wide receivers; Josh Daher, wide receivers and secondary; Joel Sauls, offensive line and defensive ends; Keith Mason, quarterbacks and secondary; Bubba Nelson, running backs and defensive line and Alvin Hawkes, offensive line and defensive line. Farmer also serves as offensive coordinator and assists with the offensive and defensive lines.
Walt Nelson is the team statistician and Roger Hall is video coordinator.