By Jason Nieuwenhuis
Sports Writer
Piedmont will kick off the 2024 season Friday night as they travel to Midwest City to take on the Bombers.
Junior quarterback Grayson May takes the reins this year as the ‘Cats enter Class 6A-II. The offense will look a little different with May under center. He has an excellent arm, but will still run Piedmont’s unique flexbone offense.
One weapon in his arsenal will be senior Jayden Fuston in the backfield. Fuston, who is also a standout wrestler, runs hard and low to the ground. He is tough to tackle and has breakaway speed.
Midwest City, always a challenge, will be ready to play.
“They are big and athletic,” head Coach Jeff Hall said about the Bombers. “We will need to execute at a high level to win.”
The secondary will be important as defending the pass is always critical. Senior Lane Whitworth and corners Mikah Rocco and Ethan Shelton will have their work cut out for them as Bombers’ wide receiver Lincoln King is a big-time threat, but the ‘Cats’ athleticism should pay dividends.
Midwest City has a solid offensive line and they will likely look to get their ground game going to open up the pass. Defensive lineman Jesse Knapp will look to apply pressure up front and disrupt the offense.
The last time these two programs met, Piedmont’s flexbone attack ran wild in a 60-41 road victory over the Bombers in the opening round of the Class 5A playoffs in 2022.
See next week’s Piedmont-Surrey Gazette for full coverage from the Wildcats’ season opener.
