By Blake Colston
Sports Editor
MIDWEST CITY – Piedmont’s entire team sprinted toward the end zone with one thing in mind.
Snow angels.
That seemed like the only way fitting to celebrate after the Wildcats’ 60-41 win over top-seeded Midwest City on a snowy Friday evening inside Jim Darnell Stadium.
“It reminded me of the intermediate play ground in the winter, we were just going at it. We couldn’t even see the field to play sometimes those snowflakes were so big,” PHS running back Cannon Wood said after running for more than 200 yards and two touchdowns. “It was just a good time out there. You don’t get many games like that.”
“I don’t know how many times I said on the headset, I’ll never forget that,” head coach Jeff Hall added of playing in a snowstorm during the first half. “There were times we couldn’t even see the other sideline. I’ll definitely remember this forever.”
Piedmont (7-4) racked up more than 500 yards rushing in its wire-to-wire victory over a Midwest City team that had won eight straight entering Friday night.
It was clear from the start that the five-time state champions had no answers for the ‘Cats flexbone attack. Wood scored untouched on a 64-yard run on his third carry of the game, which sent an early message to the Bombers (8-3).
“They have a good defensive line, but that set the tone,” senior offensive lineman John Whetter said, “the whole game we just dominated them.”
Later, Israel Robles busted loose for his own 64-yard touchdown run as the snowfall reached its peak intensity. Robles ran for more than 150 yards and also had a pair of touchdowns.
Piedmont has found a weakness and continues to exploit it. This time it’s Israel Robles up the middle for 64 yards. Kolten Luschen adds the 2-point conversion. ‘Cats have Midwest City on the ropes, leading 29-15 w/ 6:45 till half. #okpreps pic.twitter.com/OJx3rIdXwv
— Blake Colston (@CBlakeColston) November 12, 2022
“There’s nothing they could’ve done. We ran the ball down their throats,” said PHS quarterback Josh Mars, who added three touchdown runs.
Piedmont led 29-21 at half and extended its lead to 45-35 by the start of the fourth quarter. Mars’ 5-yard touchdown run with 10:02 remaining put the ‘Cats in front 53-35 after PHS converted its fifth two-point conversion of the game.
Hall said going into the game that the Wildcats had a plan to exploit Midwest City’s defense, and Piedmont didn’t have to deviate much from its script.
“We saw how they played Altus and Altus runs an offense similar to ours. We knew if that’s what they were going to do, we had an answer,” he said.
The prolific victory snapped a two-game losing skid for PHS, which plays in one of the toughest districts in the state. All four of the playoff qualifiers from 5A-2 – Carl Albert, Bishop McGuinness, Guthrie and Piedmont – advanced on Friday.
Now, a suddenly red-hot Wildcats squad advances to take on McAlester in the quarterfinal round of the Class 5A playoffs next Friday night. PHS is three wins away from its first state championship in program history.
“Everyone’s goal is to win a state championship and that’s not going to change,” Mars said.
For now, though, Piedmont will enjoy this victory before getting back to work.
“I’m pretty proud of this one. Coming in and beating the No. 1 seed, it feels good,” Hall said. “There’s 80 guys in that locker room pulling on the same rope.”
