By Trey Hunter
Sports Editor
Piedmont-Surrey Gazette
The last time Piedmont and Ardmore squared off, the Wildcats were held scoreless and knocked out of the first round of the state playoffs.
Two years later the two teams meet again under similar circumstances. Ardmore ran the table in Class 5A-District 1 while Piedmont squeaked into the postseason with a late season surge, finishing the back half of the year 4-1. And now they are set to battle it out once again for a spot in the quarterfinals.
WHEN: Friday at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Noble Stadium in Ardmore
TWITTER: @TreyHunter87 and @Piedmont_Sports
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PIEDMONT OFFENSE v. ARDMORE DEFENSE
The Wildcats have become a multi-dimensional team over the second half of the regular season.
Junior quarterback Dylan Hampton has passed for over 1,200 yards with 10 touchdowns and has consistently found senior receivers Jack Chester and Bryceson Henry, who have combined for 11 scores. Piedmont has made an effort to build its passing attack, focusing more on balance after starting the year primarily centered around the run game.
The Cats will still look to get it done on the ground behind junior tailbacks Davontae Pickard and Colby Matlock. Pickard returned late in the year and in three games has scored six touchdowns, including four against Woodward last week. Matlock returned from injury midway through the year and provides an extra dynamic for the Cats.
Ardmore’s defense by the numbers has been stout, allowing just under 10 points per game. The Tigers held opponents to single digits six times, including shutouts against Durant and Southeast. Noble scored 20 against them in Week 9, the most by any team this year.
Watch out for Mylic Ritchie and Ethan Lyles on the defensive line. Both have the size and aggressiveness to stop the run and rush the passer.
PIEDMONT DEFENSE v. ARDMORE OFFENSE
Piedmont’s defense has been the backbone of the team.
The Wildcats have held opponents under 10 points in three of their last five games, including a shutout against Lawton Ike on Oct. 5. Junior Triston Deal leads the team in tackles, tackles-for-loss and sacks. Senior Tyque Blackwell, junior Braden Culp and freshman James Maguire will all be in the mix as well for Piedmont as they try to stop Ardmore’s tough rushing attack.
The Tigers will look to ground and pound with a trio of backs who all rushed for over 500 yards in the regular season.
Senior quarterback Tero Roberts and tailbacks Jadrien Monroe and Cameron Petties all averaged over 50 yards per game, Roberts leading the way with over 900 yards in eight games. Monroe absorbed the bulk of the carries, rushing 137 times for nearly 700 yards with a team-high 11 touchdowns.
The Tigers are ultimately one-dimensional by the numbers, averaging just 37 yards per game through the air. Roberts passed for just under 400 yards this year, primarily using his legs to get the job done.
