By Robert Medley
Managing Editor
Due to the extremely high temperatures of late, the Piedmont Wildcats first home football game against Noble will start an hour later, officials announced.
The kickoff will be 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25, at F&M Bank Stadium.
The team has been practicing later in the evening to prepare for the blazing weather this week, as well.
A Facebook post from the Piedmont Public Schools Tuesday reads, Due to extreme heat, kickoff for the Piedmont Wildcats game on Friday has been moved to 8 p.m. Thank you for your support of the health and well-being of our student-athletes and fans. See you at F&M Bank stadium!”
With a heat wave in full force in central Oklahoma, the Piedmont Wildcats this week took to the cooler hours of the late evening to prepare for their home opener.
The 2023 campaign for the Wildcats football team, their last one in Class 5A before going to Class 6A next fall 2024 begins against the Noble Bears at F&M Bank Stadium
The Wildcats will look to avenge a 12-6 loss at Noble in 2022. Noble finished the season 5-5 and the Wildcats ended their 2022 year with an 7-5 record.
Coach Jeff Hall said practices during the hot week were inside during afternoon hours and from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the field.
The temperature was 94 degrees at 9:04 p.m. Monday night, Aug. 21 at the stadium.
The first and second team offenses worked on their red zone formations and plays during a no contact workout.
Senior quarterback Joshua Mars was under center. Mars will be one of the players to watch in an offense that returns senior Cannon Wood, a 6 ‘1 and 215 pound running back, and Seth Shelton, senior receiver standing 6 ‘1 inch and 170 pounds. The defense is anchored with size on the line with seniors Jackson Lucas, tackle, 6 ’3 and 297, and defensive end and tackle Talan Owen, 6 ’3 and 235 pounds.
The Wildcats scrimmaged Ardmore Friday, Aug. 18. Coach Hall said he was pleased with the freshmen, junior varsity and varsity performances.
“I think we did a lot of good things in each group. It is a testament to the really good kids and coaches,” Hall said.
This will be the last game Friday with Noble, as the Bears decided not to schedule Piedmont in the future with Piedmont leaving for Class 6A.
The teams have developed a bit of a rivalry in recent years, with their almost matching gold and blue uniforms, Hall said.
He said the players are familiar with each other and their schemes.
“I think Noble is a really well-coached team. I expect it to be a really competitive game,” Hall said.
