By Trey Hunter
Sports Editor
COWETA – The Wildcats struck early and often Friday night.
Piedmont (10-2) scored 28 unanswered points in the first 18 minutes, spurring a 62-21 route over Coweta (6-6) to clinch a spot in the Class 5A state semifinals for the first time in program history.
“We just started too hot,” senior quarterback Dylan Hampton said after the victory. “And they couldn’t keep up with us.”
Hampton totaled five touchdowns on the night, including three in the first half that helped the Cats build a 41-14 advantage at the break. He rushed for 193 yards on just eight carries, including touchdown runs of 66 and 58 yards in the first two quarters. He also passed for 133 yards and three scores.
“We were just sticking to the same triple-option scheme,” he said. “They were trying to make me run the ball and that’s just how it goes. You can’t defend everybody in this offense.”
The Wildcats hit on the very first play of the game, recovering a short attempt on the opening kickoff while catching Coweta completely off guard. The Cats capitalized with a 28-yard drive capped by a one-yard touchdown run by senior Davontae Pickard. Pickard added to his All-State-caliber season with 127 yards and two scores in the contest.
Piedmont struck again on Coweta’s ensuing drive. Senior Colby Matlock picked off Tiger quarterback Gage Hamm and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown, giving the Cats a 14-0 lead and every ounce of momentum.
“The first kickoff and Colby’s pick was huge,” Hampton said of the team’s big plays early in the game. “It got us started on the right track. From there we knew we had to just take care of business the rest of the way.”
Hampton’s first touchdown from 66 yards out made it 21-0 late in the first quarter before a second big play defensively by the Wildcats. Senior Doran Hillman intercepted Hamm on the ensuring possession, setting up a 76-yard Piedmont drive and a five-yard touchdown by Pickard to extend the lead to four scores.
Coweta ended its first-half drought on its next drive with a 22-yard touchdown run by Hamm. But Piedmont answered just two plays later on Hampton’s 58-yard touchdown run to make it 34-7 after a missed PAT.
“That’s the thing with the triple-option. If you’re going to take away our B-back and the pitch-man, there is still somebody else,” Piedmont coach Jeff Hall said of Hampton’s big night that also included a 46-yard run later in the game. “Some of those things have been there throughout the year, but they’ve taken our quarterback away. Tonight they decided to take away the pitch guys and the B-back and Dylan answered.”
Hampton went to the air for Piedmont’s next three scores, including a 60-yard touchdown pass to senior Kameron West in the second quarter followed by a 62-yard strike to West to open the second half and make it 48-14. Hampton hit Hillman for a 11-yard score to close out the third quarter.
“We knew their offense is very good,” Hall said of Coweta’s ability to come back in games. The Tigers stormed back last week from a first-half deficit to knock off Tahlequah. “It was evident all year and obviously last week. So we knew it was big for us to come out after building a big lead in the first half and extend it.”
Piedmont iced the game late in the fourth quarter with a 69-yard touchdown run by senior Palmer McCall. The Wildcats totaled 550 yards offensively, including 417 on the ground. They held Coweta to just 278 yards total with two takeaways.
“A lot of times when you have two different groups offensively and defensively there is a lot of animosity,” Hall said. “But this is the most complete group I’ve ever been a part of. We’ve challenged them to love each other and get to know each other and they’ve done a great job.
“I feel like that is a huge part of the way this team has come together this year and the run we’ve been on. Everyone is pulling on the same rope.”
Piedmont’s win sets up a semifinals rematch with District 5A-2 champion Carl Albert (11-1), who defeated McAlester 38-7 Friday. The Wildcats handed the Titans their only loss this year and ended the their 40-game win streak with a 10-6 victory Oct. 4 at F&M Bank Stadium.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at Western Heights High School in Oklahoma City.
