By Addam Francisco
Sports Editor
EL RENO – The Piedmont Wildcats football team started their season off on the road against El Reno, a team they had no luck against last season. Just like last season, the Wildcats couldn’t muster up a victory against the Indians but were extremely competitive, falling 33-27.
The first quarter was generous to the Wildcats after they drove down the field 64 yards but stalled before reaching the end zone. They stopped El Reno’s offense with a three-and-out and on the ensuing offensive possession, with great field position, Piedmont scored on a 16-yard touchdown pass from Jack Chester to Dylan Hampton.
Late in the first, things got rocky for both schools. El Reno fumbled the ball at the Wildcat’s 35- yard line, then almost immediately after, Piedmont did the same. The Wildcats still led 7-0.
“After the first quarter, the team was confident. They had a little bit of momentum, which is a big thing for us,” head coach Trent Worley said. “Our kids believing and giving themselves a chance is a big focus of ours and they are getting better at it.”
The second quarter wasn’t much better for Piedmont. Almost three minutes in, El Reno scored on a one-yard run, which evened the score and the momentum seemed to sway in favor of the Indians. Piedmont continued to fight after connecting on a seven-yard touchdown pass to go up 14-7, but within two minutes they trailed El Reno 21-14 after a 36-yard touchdown pass and a Piedmont-thrown interception capitalized into another touchdown for the Indians.
As a result, El Reno went into the break with a one-touchdown lead.
The third quarter started just like the first. Piedmont constructed an impressive 75-yard drive, capped off by a three-yard quarterback keeper by Hampton for a touchdown, which evened the score at 21 with more than half the quarter to play.
After a couple of dry possessions by both teams, Piedmont forced and recovered an El Reno fumble with 2:19 remaining in the third but Hampton threw an interception, which an Indian defender took 77 yards for a touchdown, jumping in front of the Wildcats 27-21 with only 14 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
“The guys had plenty of chances to fold up, but they just kept battling,” Worley said.
They did continue to battle but so did El Reno. Piedmont drove straight down the field to start the final quarter but stalled out in the red zone and ended up turning the ball over on downs. The Indians then went back down the field and scored, but missed an extra point which left the Wildcats hopeful, only down 33-21 with 5:54 remaining in the game.
Piedmont then went 60 yards on the kickoff and Hampton threw a 35-yard touchdown pass. Coincidentally, Piedmont missed their extra point as well and the score was 33-27.
