By Blake Colston
Sports Editor
Piedmont, it seems, is on the right track as the most crucial stretch of the regular season schedule commences.
There was plenty of good to take from the ‘Cats’ 28-10 loss at fourth-ranked Carl Albert last week.
The Wildcats bottled up the Titans’ explosive offense that had torched Bishop McGuinness – Piedmont’s opponent this week – in the previous game. The Wildcats also totaled more yards than Carl Albert, which isn’t easy to accomplish versus the five-time defending state champions.
“It’s tackling in space and doing the fundamental things. In the (Carl Albert) game, I feel like we did a whole lot of good stuff,” head coach Jeff Hall said. “I’m not a moral victory guy, but it was something to build on.”
Piedmont’s offense sputtered at times, but managed a late touchdown drive to build momentum heading into its matchup with the Fighting Irish Friday evening at 7 at F&M Bank Stadium.
“They had some athletes that made the reads we make – for our quarterbacks and other guys – really tough,” Hall said of Carl Albert. “They’re just a good ball club.”
McGuinness (4-3, 3-1) presents many of the same challenges for Piedmont (3-4, 2-2). The Irish, like the Titans, have a talented backfield combo of running back Michael Taffe and quarterback River Warren to go with a playmaker at receiver in Paul Tarman.
The Irish’s defense has been susceptible at times, but Piedmont would still prefer to limit the number of possessions for each side by controlling the ball rather than playing a high-scoring, high-possession game.
There’s also the issue of the race for the fourth and final playoff spot in 5A-2. Piedmont’s game at Lawton Eisenhower next week could become a must-win to earn a postseason bid unless the Wildcats upset McGuinness.
Piedmont has never beaten the Irish before, but that won’t matter much during Friday night. Especially with a young Wildcat squad seemingly rounding into form at the right time.
