By Blake Colston
Sports Editor
Piedmont opens district play Friday night at F&M Bank Stadium when the Wildcats host Guthrie for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
The Wildcats (0-2) fell at Noble last week 49-35 while Guthrie (3-0) won at Duncan 41-7.
It’s early, but a win over Guthrie would give Piedmont inside position to earn its third straight playoff appearance.
“It’s very important for us to win this game,” senior center Dax Priddy said. “We want to show what we can do on both sides of the ball.”
On paper, Guthrie and Piedmont appear to be headed in opposite directions. The Jays are unbeaten while the Wildcats haven’t won this year, but there’s plenty of reason for optimism in Piedmont.
The ‘Cats’ triple option attack found its rhythm at Noble, totaling 481 yards rushing and scoring 35 points. Cannon Wood (19 carries, 160 yards, one touchdown) and Israel Robles (18 carries, 152 yards, two touchdowns) ran wild as sophomore quarterback Josh Mars was on point with his option reads.
“The thing with the triple option is, teams can take away two options and our job is to get to the third,” head coach Jeff Hall said. “Our kids are really understanding the scheme.”
Now in their third year in the system, Hall said Piedmont is as comfortable as its ever been with the flexbone. Against Noble, the execution on offense was strong at every position.
Seniors Glendon Barnes, a guard, and Priddy anchored the offensive line. Alan Adame earned a start vs. Noble thanks to a week of strong practices and played well, Hall said. Offensive tackle Camdyn Cardwell missed Piedmont’s first two games, but will play versus Guthrie, giving the line an additional boost.
“Those guys along the offensive line have to get used to the monotony of repetition. We may be running a different play, but their assignment is the same one every time, “ Hall said. “They’re doing a great job.”
Piedmont’s backs are hitting the holes that are open and, Hall said, the ‘Cats’ receivers are playing physical on the outside. That led to several long runs last week at Noble.
Despite the production, Hall said his team could have produced many more points.
“We should’ve had 60,” he said.
Priddy, a senior and two-year starter, concurred with his coach and said playing physical is the key.
“You’ve got to enjoy hitting people every play. There’s no letting someone hit you, you have to take it to them,” he said.
No Bad Blood
A positive COVID-19 test within the Guthrie program last season led to a cancellation of last year’s game. Piedmont was on its way to Guthrie when Blue Jay officials told them to turn around.
The late cancellation led to some interesting social media interactions between the two sides that gave the impression the teams didn’t like each other. That’s ancient history now, though, Hall said.
“Both teams respect each other,” he said.
Piedmont knows it’s in for a challenge Friday. The Blue Jays have outscored their opponents 141-7 this season.
“They’re huge up front,” Hall said. “They’re well-coached and do a lot of good things scheme-wise.”
Piedmont has had an edge in the series recently. The Wildcats beat Guthrie 49-7 in Hall’s first season at PHS in 2019.
“It was really fun to kick the dog out of them at their place,” Priddy said.
“I think we surprised them a little bit,” Hall added.
Priddy said the Guthrie game is one of his favorites to play in each year.
“I love how intense the games are,” he said. “This is definitely a rivalry game.”
