By Trey Hunter
Sports Editor
The Wildcats dug a hole they couldn’t climb out of Friday night.
Piedmont (6-2, 4-1) allowed 22 first-quarter points in a 29-7 loss to Bishop McGuinness at F&M Bank Stadium, missing its opportunity to all but lock up a district championship.
The Irish (7-2, 5-0) gashed the Cat defense early, totalling 115 yards in the first 12 minutes, all while losing star running back Dominic Richardson. The TCU-commit limped off the field with a knee injury during the first drive of the game, but quarterback Luke Tarman more than made up for the loss.
Tarman rushed for 189 yards and two touchdowns, including a seven-yard score to give the Irish a 7-0 lead and a four-yard run to make it 15-0 after a successful two-point conversion. He also connected with Aaron Beck for a 39-yard touchdown later in the quarter, building a 22-point deficit Piedmont couldn’t overcome.
The Wildcat offense entered the game hot, but was cooled off early.
Senior Colby Matlock fumbled on the second play of Piedmont’s first drive followed by two straight punts and fruitless drive to kill the half and enter the break scoreless. The Cats totaled just 63 yards in the first two quarters, including just 13 in the first.
Piedmont’s deficit grew in the third quarter. The team’s first possession of the half stalled after driving 71 yards and failing to convert on fourth-and-short. The Irish capitalized with a 73-yard march capped by a one-yard Evan Ille touchdown to make it 29-0.
The Cats failed to convert again on fourth down on their next drive, but followed by forcing a punt and finally cracking the scoreboard. Senior quarterback Dylan Hampton cut McGuinness’ lead to 29-7 with a 73-yard touchdown run with just over two minutes remaining. Hampton finished with 109 yards on seven carries while senior Davontae Pickard rushed 29 times for 88 yards.
Piedmont racked up 259 yards on the ground, but converted just seven first downs while going 7-for-17 on third and fourth down. The Wildcat defense allowed 297 yards, including 249 on the ground and gave up 13 first downs. McGuinness went 9-for-14 on third- and fourth-down plays.
With the loss, the Wildcats could now finish in second or third place in District 5A-2 pending both McGuinness and Carl Albert win next week before facing off in Week 10. Piedmont must win both of its final two games and with an Irish win over the Titans, would finish second and host a playoff game. Two wins and a McGuinness loss could lead to third place, but still a playoff berth.
The Wildcats look to bounce back next Friday at home against Northwest Classen (2-6, 0-5) before closing the regular season on the road at Woodward (4-4, 3-2) Nov. 8.
