Cougars Are State Champs, First Time In School’s History
If you are trying to determine a lucky number for the 2010 Piedmont Academy football team you could try 13.
The Cougars recorded their 13th win of the season Friday night, after all.
Or you could try 26, as it was on Nov. 26th that the 13th win occurred.
Perhaps even better, you could look at “one” as the lucky number because the Cougars are No. 1 in the state after defeating Edmund Burke 26-14 in the Georgia Independent Schools Association Class AA state championship game Friday in Monticello.
It was also the first state football title in school history, which dates back four decades.
All in all, it was a night to remember at Cougar Field before a large turnout of spectators who saw Piedmont cap a perfect 13-0 season in claiming the state championship trophy.
“It still seems like a blur,” said coach Rhett Farmer, who in his second season with the program led the team to the ultimate prize. “It has sunk in I guess in some ways. In other ways, I still don’t realize what has happened. I am just so proud of our kids and our coaches.”
In the end, the Cougars simply were unbeatable this season and the final victory came against a foe which Piedmont defeated twice in 2010.
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“It has been a fun weekend,” Farmer said. “It has been a truly gratifying experience.”
Edmund Burke, the team Farmer said was the best opponent his Cougars had faced all season, came ready to play Friday night. Not backing down, the visiting Spartans from Waynesboro took an early first half lead and had the game deadlocked at halftime.
In the second half, however, Piedmont simply would not be denied. The Cougars took the opening kickoff of the second half and marched 55 yards in eight plays to regain the lead on a 3-yard run by Blake Hammock. They would not relinquish the advantage again.
That drive was key to the win, Farmer said.
“Going into the second half, they had the momentum,” the coach said. “They had tied the game right before halftime. Our scoring drive to start the second half was as big as our final scoring driving of the game.”
An interception by Sam Cleary stopped Edmund Burke’s opening drive of the third quarter and it appeared Piedmont was set to score again. The Spartans, however, stopped the threat with an interception of their own.
The Cougar defense rose up and forced a punt, which helped set up the game-clinching score. Moving 73 yards in nine plays, Piedmont gave itself some breathing room with a 14-yard touchdown run by quarterback Alex Hall with 8:13 left. A two-point conversion try failed.
Edmund Burke would not go away quietly, however, and moved deep into Cougar territory, eventually facing a fourth and goal at the 3. Piedmont’s defense held, however, with 4:58 left.
The Cougars picked up one first down on the ensuing possession but then had to punt the football back to the Spartans. Alex Sturkie returned the punt to the Piedmont 19 forcing the Cougars to once again turn their championship game opponent away.
“We weren’t trying to punt it to him but the football actually got tipped,” Farmer said. “He picked it up and almost took it back.”
After the teams traded punts to start the contest, Edmund Burke took a 6-0 lead on a 17-yard touchdown run by Clint Saxon.
Piedmont answered, however, going on a 62-yard drive capped by an 11-yard run by Hall. Cleary, who had a key reception on the drive, added the extra point for a 7-6 lead.
The Cougars moved in front 14-6 on a reverse from Hammock to Dylan Collins with 5:47 left in the first half. The play came on a fourth and five. Piedmont converted two fourth down plays during the drive.
The Spartans were not fazed, however, and would tie the score on a 3-yard score by Hagen Wade with just 53 seconds left in the first half.
The competitive nature of the game did not shock the Cougar head coach.
“I was not surprised at all,” Farmer said. “I had been telling everyone Edmund Burke was a quality football team. They were the best team we played this season. The first time we played (a 34-14 Piedmont win) the game was closer than the score indicated. There were a handful of plays that if they had gone the other way (the first time the teams played) we could have lost. Their defense runs to the football and they use good technique.”
Not panicking after Edmund Burke scored first was key for the Cougars.
“When your opponent scores first in a championship game, you never know what might happen from that point,” Farmer said. “We hadn’t trailed much this year and to suddenly be behind in the biggest game of the year and to not panic, says a lot about our players.”
The coach said he did not believe the game was sealed up until his team went into victory formation in the final minute.
“If you are a fan I know it was a fun game to watch,” Farmer said. “However, as a coach it was gut-wrenching. It was a special night though. This is my fourth year as a head coach so I’m still green at this. This was sweet and the pinnacle of my coaching career to this point. These kids are champions. They refused to lose.”
Hammock compiled 175 yards and a score in the title game, helping lead the offense as he did all season. Hall also rushed for 55 yards and two scores on 10 carries and was 3-of-4 in the air for 57 yards.
After the final seconds had ticked off the scoreboard, Piedmont students, fans and alumni stormed the field and joined the players for the celebration.
“It’s a once in a lifetime feeling,” Cleary said. “I may never get a chance to do anything like this again. It’s amazing, there’s no other way to describe it.”
Teammate Dakota Collins, who played key roles in all phases of the game, echoed his teammate’s thoughts.
“I can’t really explain it,” Collins said. “It has been a great experience. It feels great to be the first team in school history to win a football state championship.”
Peter Lawson, who also was a force on both sides of the football, enjoyed taking the moment in as he was greeted by a mob of well-wishers.
“This feeling is beyond words,” Lawson said. “It makes all the work we’ve done worth it. It’s great to be able to get out what we have put into this.”
Lineman Daniel Leinweber found it hard to describe what was going through his mind as the celebration continued around him.
“I’m a little stunned,” the junior said. “It was a great battle against a great team. It feels great to be the state champion.”
Perhaps Leinweber’s stunned frame of mind was understandable given the situation.
NOTES: Captains for the state championship game were Blake Hammock, Rhett Roberts, Sam Cleary and Garrett Richardson, four of the team’s seniors.
The Piedmont defense made steady improvement throughout the season, head coach Rhett Farmer said. Farmer said he was pleased with the work put in by defensive coordinator Wes Tanner and defensive backs coach Josh Daher in 2010. The Cougars had 20 interceptions this season.
“It was just a pleasure to be a part of the journey,” said Tanner. “To be able to coach such a great bunch of guys was special to be a part of and to work along side great coaches was awesome. Even in adverse situations, the guys never got flustered and always stayed on course. I am so proud of everything they have been able to accomplish for themselves, their school, and for their community. It has been truly special.”
It was also a special night for assistant coaches Bubba Nelson, Keith Mason and Joel Sauls, all three Piedmont graduates and former Cougar players themselves. All three remained on the field long after the game was over posing for photographs and accepting congratulations for their part in the state championship.
The 2010 state title game was the fourth time Piedmont has hosted the final game of the playoffs, the most recent before last week coming in 1993.
STATS VS. EDMUND BURKE
Offensive
•Peter Lawson: 1 carry for 2 yards
•Alex Hall: 10 carries for 55 yards and 2 TDs; 3-of-4 passing for 57 yards •Blake Hammock: 28 carries for 175 yards and 1 TD, 1 reception for 3 yards
•Dakota Collins: 4 carries for 20 yards
•Sam Cleary: 2-of-3 on PATS, 1 reception for 14 yards
•Rhett Roberts: 1 reception for 40 yards
•Dylan Collins: 1 carry for 37-yard TD
Defensive
•Peter Lawson: 6 solos (1 for loss) 8 assists
•Zach Benjamin: 3 assists and 2 pass break ups
•Dylan Collins: 3 solos (1 for loss) and 8 assists
•Rhett Robert: 1 solos (1 for loss), 3 assists and 1 pass batted down
•Sam Cleary -2 solos, 1 assist, 1 interception and 1 pass break up
•Tyler Cullm: 1solo and 1 assist
•Dakota Collins: 4 solos, 7 assists
•Daniel Leinweber: 2 solos and 3 assists
•Jakey Dunagan: 1 solo and 2 assists
•Austin Corley: 1 solo and 2 assists
•Seth Harvey: 2 solos (1 for loss) and 7 assists
