By Blake Colston
Sports Editor
MIDWEST CITY – Piedmont had visions of an upset Thursday night at fourth-ranked Carl Albert.
Then Kentrell Bizzell dashed 66 yards the other way and erased them all.
Bizzell totaled four touchdowns, including his 66-yard blocked field goal return for a score, as the Titans topped Piedmont 28-10 at Gary Rose Field.
“We talk to our kids about blocked kicks and how they change the game. The win percentage behind that is astronomical,” Piedmont head coach Jeff Hall said. “I’m not saying that’s where the game was lost, but it was huge.”
Piedmont actually gained more yards (221-178) than Carl Albert and was behind only 7-3 late in the first half, but the Titans closed the half strong with a 12-yard touchdown run from Bizzell followed by the blocked field goal.
But nothing came easy for the five-time defending state champions. It took the Titans 13 plays to travel 50 yards for a score on the opening possession of the game.
Piedmont blanked Carl Albert in the second half until a fumble provided a short field which led to Bizzell breaking free for an 18-yard touchdown jaunt.
“The way our defense responded all night, I was really proud of them,” Hall said. “In this game, I feel like we did a whole lot of good stuff.”
Piedmont got its only points of the first half on a Talon Cope 35-yard field goal with 5:51 left in the first half to cut the Titans’ lead to 7-3.
The Wildcats put together their best drive of the night on their final possession. Josh Mars hit Kolten Luschen for a 19-yard completion, found Cole Riggs for a 17-yard gain then finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run.
“I’m not a moral victory guy by any means, but this is something to build on. We’ll get better,” Hall said.
Piedmont will host Bishop McGuinness next Friday.
