Piedmont Defeats Harvester Christian
Another impressive night of offense helped push the Piedmont Academy football team to 4-0 for the season.
The Cougars rolled to a 54-36 victory against Harvester Christian as the Region 1-AA schedule looms. Piedmont has now scored at least 40 points three times this fall.
“We actually struggled early offensive,” Cougar head coach Rhett Farmer said. “We knew they were going to jump around defensively. Their defensive line and linebackers outplayed us early. However, we were patient and didn’t panic.”
Piedmont eventually took a 48-13 lead with approximately eight minutes left in the game. Farmer and his coaching staff then began allowing younger players a chance to gain game experience. Harvester continued to use its starters and added some late points.
“We are committed to getting everyone playing time if possible,” Farmer said. “Overall, I was pleased with our offense. Our defense is giving up some numbers but is also playing well.”
Once the Cougar offense got on track last week, Harvester was unable to keep up. A balanced attack was led by Peter Lawson (73 yards rushing), Blake Hammock (61 yards) and Dakota Collins (51 yards). Quarterback Alex Hall rushed for an additional 27 yards and threw for 50.
Piedmont’s special team play was also effective, Farmer said. Hammock returned a kickoff 51 yards and a punt 66 yards for a score. Zach Benjamin had a 60-yard kickoff return and Lawson returned a punt 57 yards following a safety.
Sam Cleary also made four extra point attempts.
On the defensive side of the football, Collins had six solo stops and five assists while Lawson added six solo tackles and four assists. Josh Brennan also registered two sacks. Rhett Roberts finished with three solo tackles, including two for loss, along with six assists and a pass breakup.
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As impressive as the team has been to this point in the season, Farmer knows this Friday is when it really counts. The Cougars open region play at home against Westminster (Augusta) at 7:30 p.m.
“Even with everything we have done up to this point, you have to look at it like we are 0-0,” Farmer said. “We will try to sell our kids on that this week.”
In preparing for Westminster, Farmer said the Piedmont coaching staff is somewhat up in the air as one of the Wildcats’ key players has been out recently.
“They are somewhat tricky to prepare for if he’s not in the game,” the Cougar coach said.
This week’s opponent will use three and four wide receiver looks.
“They are another team who likes to throw it,” Farmer said. “It gives them big play capability which is always scary.”
Defensively, Westminster will use a 4-3 look.
Kickoff at Cougar Field is set for 7:30 p.m.
Stats for Harvester Christian
Offense
•Blake Hammock: 12 carries for 61 yards and 3 TDs, 66- yard punt return for a TD, 51-yard kickoff return
•Alex Hall: 6 carries for 27 yards and 2 TDs, 3-of-8 passing for 50 yards
•Peter Lawson: 4 carries for 73 yards, 57-yard kick return down to 5-yard line after safety
•Dakota Collins: 4 carries for 51 yards and 1 TD, 2 receptions for 50 yards
•Zach Benjamin: 2 carries for 23 yards and 1 TD, 1 reception for 16 yards, 60-yard punt return to 4-yard line
•Nick Dimsdale: 1 carry for 20 yards
•Tyler Cullum: 4 carries for 12 yards
•Sam Cleary: 4 kicks for point after touchdown
Defense
•Peter Lawson: 6 solos/4 assists
•Alex Hall: 1 assist
•Nick Dimsdale: 1 solo
•Zach Benjamin: 1 solo, 1 assist and 1 pass break up
•Dylan Collins: ½ sack and 1 assist
•Rhett Roberts: 3 solos (2 for loss), 6 assists and 1 pass deflection
•Sam Cleary: 3 solos, 2 assists, 1 interception returned for 28 yards
•Tyler Cullum: 2 solos (1 for loss), 3 assists
•Dakota Collins: 6 solos and 5 assists
•Josh Brennan: 2 solos and 1 loss
•Jakey Dunagan: 1 sack, 5 assists and 1 pass deflection
•Seth Harvey: 1 sack and 1 pass deflection
•Justin Wilson: 1 assist
•Willy Roberts: 1 solo and 1 assist
•Malik Reid: 2 assists
•Glade Tuggle: 1 assist
•Evan Harvey: 1 assist