Piedmont Falls, 12-10
If one only looked at the stats from last week’s football game between Piedmont and Holy Spirit, one would be convinced the Cougars emerged with the win. However, in the only stat that counted, Holy Spirit scored 12 points to Piedmont’s 10.
That resulted in a bitter region setback for the Cougars who had hoped to take another step toward a region championship.
“It was a hard pill to swallow,” Piedmont coach Beau Johnson said of the loss. “We had twice as many yards and almost three times the number of first downs they had, but we just came up a little short.”
The Cougars also had two touchdowns called back and were on the wrong side of a questionable spot late in the game. Johnson said he would not comment on the officiating, but said his players had many obstacles to overcome last Friday in Atlanta that were out of their control.
“I do not want to take away anything from Holy Spirit’s kids, but I feel bad for our players,” Johnson said. “For both schools’ kids to work for six months and play for a region championship on that field in those conditions is a disgrace. I am embarrassed for our region and the schools in it. The players for both schools deserved better.”
The game was played on a field at Life University, which does not have a football program. Holy Spirit does not have an on-campus facility.
Piedmont led just 3-0 at halftime on a 31-yard field goal despite appearing to dominate the game. Penalties and other mental mistakes helped keep the Cougars out of the end zone in the first half and would cost the team in the end, Johnson said.
Holy Spirit scored first in the second half although Piedmont answered for a 10-6 lead midway through the fourth quarter. The winning drive by Holy Spirit was kept alive by three successful fourth down plays as the final touchdown came with 1:20 left.
The Cougars did move back down the field and attempted a 36-yard field which fell short. Johnson, however, said the game was not decided on that one final field goal attempt.
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“I would send Tyler out there again because I have confidence in him and if that situation comes up again this week we will do the same thing,” Johnson said. “We had our chances throughout the game and did not make it happen. It is very disappointing to be that close and work as hard as we have and come up short. Our season is not over until the final whistle. We still have opportunities and goals that can be reached. We, as a team, have to make a decision on how the rest of our season will go.”
Piedmont rushed for 226 yards last week with Justin Atkins leading the way with 116 yards on 23 carries with a score. Kale Blackshear added 72 yards on 12 attempts. Ryan Dinardo had two catches or 40 yards while Atkins had one for 23 yards. The Cougars had 17 first downs in the contest.
By comparison, Holy Spirit had just 160 yards of total offense. Last Friday’s game could be used as a life lesson, the Piedmont coach said.
“Our players played well enough to win, I just did not come through for them,” he said. “It is a shame after all the work they did this summer that injuries and other circumstances did not give our kids a fair shake. That is why football is a great game. It’s just like life. The kids need to know that life is not fair.
“We have to pick up the pieces and make the playoffs. If we win out, we will be one of eight teams still playing in the AA playoffs in two weeks. If we give up on our season then this week’s opponent (Heritage) will take our place in the playoffs. They will be more than happy to take the No. 2 seed.”
Johnson said his team will need to respond to the recent adversity by playing well this Friday. “This week is about getting up when you have been knocked down,” he said. “It is a gut check. We will find out if our staff and kids have guts this week. How will we respond? We still need to understand our situation. A win and we are in the postseason where anything can happen. I really want our seniors to make the playoffs.
“Once we are in anything is possible. With all of our injuries this season and the way things have gone, if we win the next two weeks and go 7-4 and make the playoffs, it would be a nice season for these kids. I guess we will know more about ourselves after Friday night.”
Johnson said Heritage is very well coached and the Hawks run the double wing offense. “They are much improved this season,” he said. “They played Holy Spirit really close and have been competitive in all of their games. I am also worried about our mental state this week. It is Senior Night so I hope that makes a difference.”
Kickoff at Cougar Field is set for 7:30 p.m.
Stats
Team rushing: 47 attempts for 226 yards
Justin Atkins: 23 carries for 116 yards, one TD
Kale Blackshear: 12
carries for 72 yards
Tyler Landress: 31-yard field goal
Ryan Dinardo: two catches for 40 yards
Justin Atkins: one catch for 23 yards
Defense:
Matt Wilson: two solo tackles, two assists, one sack
Kale Blackshear: four sole tackles, one assist
Nick Rubuelta: four solo tackles, one assist
D.J. Allen: one interception
Patrick Simoes: three solo tackles, one assist