By Trey Hunter
Sports Editor
EL RENO – The Wildcats accepted Jeff Hall’s challenge after Week 1.
“We told them no matter what happens, we have to get better,” Piedmont’s first-year head coach said. “They came in, went to work and that’s what they did. They really took it to heart.”
The Cats (9-2) avenged one of two regular season losses Friday night, holding off Canadian County rival El Reno (8-3) for a 24-21 win and a spot in the Class 5A quarterfinals. They fell 13-7 to the Indians in the season-opener.
“We all knew we were going to do it, but it’s even sweeter now that it’s done,” Piedmont senior Colby Matlock said after the game. “We’re always being doubted, even this week we were the underdogs. We love it. It makes it even better.”
Matlock helped provide a dynamic 1-2 punch in Piedmont’s rushing attack, combining with fellow senior Davontae Pickard to rack up 265 yards on the ground. Matlock finished with 120 yards while Pickard tallied 145.
“We really couldn’t do what we do without each other,” Matlock said. “It’s like a package deal. He goes in and grinds and then I break loose on the outside. We had it going tonight.”
Although Piedmont’s run-game controlled the clock and buried El Reno’s defense, it was big plays that sparked a 14-0 run in the first quarter.
Senior quarterback Dylan Hampton hit senior Doran Hillman for a 33-yard touchdown strike to give the Cats a 7-0 lead after their first drive. Junior Caden Hendren followed with a 70-yard punt return for a touchdown to make it a two-score advantage.
“There were several moments I thought were huge, but those were definitely two of them,” Hall said following the win. “It was a total team effort from offense to defense to special teams. Each side of the ball made big plays and picked each other up.”
El Reno responded quickly as Dorian Plumley, one of the state’s top all-purpose players, returned the ensuing kickoff 82 yards to put the Indians on the board and cut Piedmont’s lead to 14-7. Plumley accounted for all of El Reno’s points and finished with 311 total yards, including 215 on the ground.
Big plays on defense and special teams down the stretch of the first half were key for the Wildcats.
Piedmont forced a turnover on downs and then recovered a Plumley fumble so stop any momentum El Reno could build going into halftime. The Cats capitalized on their final drive, marching 85 yards with 2:17 left and capping it with a 21-yard field goal by junior Preston Fansher to extend the lead to 17-7 at the break.
“I’m proud of the way we executed there,” Hall said. “Everybody thinks that with the flex-bone offense you can’t go score in a two-minute scenario. It was a great drive and we finished with points, which proved to be big.”
The Wildcats drove 60 yards down to the El Reno 1-yard line to open the second half, but a costly fumble by Hampton led to a 72-yard scoring drive by the Indians, capped with an 11-yard touchdown run by Plumley. After a missed extra-point, El Reno cut the score to 17-13.
Piedmont responded, ultimately icing the game with a 77-yard scoring drive followed by a big defensive stop. Hampton punched in a 1-yard quarterback sneak to extend the lead to 24-13 before the team’s defense forced a three-and-out on the ensuing El Reno possession, leaving the Indians in a deep hole with 8:53 remaining.
The Cats were forced to punt before an El Reno score on a four-yard run by Plumley. However, after burning their final timeout prior to the touchdown, the Indians were forced to try an onside kick. Piedmont recovered and burnt the final 2:15 before kneeling out the victory.
“We have a ton of respect for those guys,” Hall said. “But you can’t say enough good things about our kids. Even after Week 1 they took on that challenge and continued to compete. We have a bunch of kids that just don’t quit.”
Piedmont finished with 402 total yards while holding El Reno to 290. The Cats rushed for 349 on 52 carries while Hampton finished 3-for-6 with 53 passing yards.
With the win, Piedmont advances to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in Class 5A. The Wildcats travel to Coweta (6-5) next week to play for a spot in the semifinals. The Tigers upset District 5A-4 champion Tahlequah 42-21 Friday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
