By Trey Hunter
Sports Editor
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Wildcats clicked on all three phases Friday night in a 66-7 blowout win over Northwest Classen at Taft Stadium.
Joey Mars (So.) – the team’s Swiss army knife as coach Trent Worley calls him – scored four times while totaling 155 yards passing, rushing and receiving.
“He can do it all,” Worley said of Mars after the win. “We’re in the point of the year where we aren’t necessarily getting him a lot of reps at quarterback, so it was nice to get him in there, but he’s a football player. And a really good one, too.”
Mars got most of his work done on the ground, rushing for 94 yards with four touchdowns – all in the first half. He also caught two passes for 31 yards and stepped in at quarterback in the second quarter, going 3-for-4 for 30 yards.
Dylan Hampton (Jr.) was nearly perfect before coming out with the game in hand. He went 8-for-12 through the air for 122 yards with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Jack Chester (Sr.). Later in the game, Bo Phillips (So.) got his turn at quarterback, going 4-for-6 for 38 yards with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Doran Hillman (Jr.) in the fourth quarter.
Overall the three quarterbacks completed passes to 10 different receivers, including Hillman and Caden Hendren (So.) who each finished with three receptions.
“We’ve got a lot of kids that work hard throughout the week and it’s good to give them some opportunities,” Worley said. “Something we stressed was our expectations are high for everyone. It was good to our kids go out there and execute.”
Davontae Pickard (Jr.), who led the team in rushing last season, also made his 2018 debut, carrying the ball eight times for 56 yards and two touchdowns.
The Wildcats (4-5, 3-3) also dominated defensively and in special teams.
Piedmont held Northwest Classen (0-9, 0-6) to just 99 total yards and forced four turnovers. The team also blocked a punt and recovered a muffed kickoff return.
Baylor Hendren (Sr.) and Connor Hawkins (Sr.) picked off passes and returned them each for touchdowns to open the second half. Hendren also picked off a pass earlier in the game and recovered two fumbles.
The Wildcats also came away unscathed, avoiding any injuries before a final week matchup with Woodward (4-5, 3-3) that will decide the final playoff spot from District 5A-2.
“It’s a battle of attrition obviously,” Worley said. “I wouldn’t say we’re as healthy as we’ve ever been, but we’re not as banged up and we’re hoping to get a few guys back next week too. We’ll wait and see.”
With the win – and Woodward’s over Guymon – the Cats and Boomers are set to battle for a Class 5A postseason birth next Friday at F&M Bank Stadium at 7 p.m.
