Piedmont opens the 2022 football season Friday night at Noble. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. Here are six players to watch this season.
Cannon Wood, 6-2, 220 LB/RB
Wood is only a junior, but is already heavily recruited and has a good shot to be a Division-I signee. Wood this summer earned invite-only camp appearances at the University of Oklahoma, Kansas State and Tulsa, among others. On offense, he is a powerful runner with breakaway speed and good moves in the open field. As a linebacker, he’s a punishing hitter – who is known as ‘The Hammer’ – with a nose for the ball and excellent football instincts.
Kolten Luschen 5-10, 180 DB/WR
Luschen won’t do much damage running traditional pass routes in the Wildcats’ flex-bone offense but make no mistake, Piedmont will find a way to get this playmaker the ball. Whether it be on jet sweeps or quick, short passes, Luschen will be heavily involved in the offense. The speedy senior could also be a big factor in the return game and on defense.
Brogan Hardy, 6-2, 225 LB/OL
The offense can’t get all the love. Hardy has the bloodlines – his brother Bo was a standout for PHS and is now a walk-on linebacker at Oklahoma State – to be the next great Wildcat linebacker. With Hardy and Wood teaming up, teams will have to think twice before challenging the middle of the field. Hardy is physical and has the lateral quickness to make plays from sideline to sideline. Thanks to his wrestling background, Hardy understands leverage well, which gives him another advantage.
Josh Mars, 6-0, 190 QB
The quarterback of a team will almost always make this sort of list by default, but Mars has earned it. With a full year of experience running Piedmont’s flex-bone attack, Mars understands the reads and reactions in Jeff Hall’s offense exceptionally well. Mars’ quarterback runs were limited last season because a trusty backup wasn’t always available, but he’ll be a factor in the running game early and often in 2022 and could put up big numbers. Mars, a lefty, is also a capable thrower and could get to show off his arm more this season.
Israel Robles 6-1, 200 RB/LB
Robles is just one of a multitude of options in a crowded PHS backfield, but he might have the most big play ability of them all. He does most of his damage between the tackles and is happy to plod away with modest gains, but usually breaks free for at least one long gain each game. Last season at Noble, Robles ripped off an 80-yard run that ended just short of the endzone as PHS racked up 481 yards rushing.
Talan Owen 6-3, 230, DL/OL
As a defensive end, Owen can impact the game in multiple ways. First, he has the size and strength to hold up against the run game. He also has the quickness and agility to rush the passer and continues to refine his skills so he can be more of a factor on passing downs this season. The best part? Owen is only a junior, so his potential is sky high.
– Compiled by Sports Editor Blake Colston
