On a rainy senior night, Piedmont downed the Putnam City High School Pirates 21-14, and it was a 3-yard run from a senior that put that game away.
Piedmont and the Pirates were tied at halftime 7-7. The teams were also knotted up after three quarters at 14-14. Piedmont led in the fourth quarter 21-14 on a Jayden Fuston touchdown run, and the Wildcats held on to win it.
The first quarter was a story of two turnovers.
Putnam City running back Rodgerick Sloan fumbled a wet ball that gave Piedmont the first chance to strike. But Carter Hainrihar fumbled it back on the next play.
In the second quarter, Piedmont had a bad snap on a punt attempt got away from Ethan Burns who picked it up in the end zone but dropped it and Putnam City recovered for the first score. Rain continued to be a factor as lightning stayed away and play continued.
The rain let up as Piedmont mounted a drive by staying on the ground with senior Jayden Fuston. Quarterback Grayson May used a juke move to score on a 10-yard run with less than a minute in the half.
After halftime, the ‘Cats drove down the field and Hainrihar scored on a sweep.
Putnam City drove right down the field and answered with a 15-yard pass to even the game at 14.
The Wildcats put together a game winning drive capped off with a Jayden Fuston touchdown. Fuston, a senior, had a great night with 27 carries for 173 yards.
Before the game, due to a flood watch in the area, the Friday, Nov. 8 Piedmont Senior Night activities were postponed until Thursday, Nov. 14, according to the Piedmont Public Schools Athletics and Activities Department.
Activities had been planned for the Piedmont Wildcats game night with Putnam City High School on Friday, Nov. 8.
A message from Piedmont Athletics & Activities read, “Due to anticipated inclement weather conditions on Friday, Nov. 8, the Piedmont Senior Night celebration has been rescheduled to Thursday, Nov. 14 at F&M Bank Stadium.”
Piedmont football’s 14 seniors on the 2024 squad are: Jayden Fuston, Ethan Shelton, Dylan Watkins, Mikah Rocco, Logan Mozola, Carson Coleman, Gabe Clifton, Lane Whitworth, Terrence Sharpe, Miguel Mercado, Jesse Knapp, Laith Shawareb, Ian Mitchell and Stephan Rabadi.
The National Weather Service in Norman issued a flood watch for northeastern Canadian County until 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8.
The chance of rain increases to 99% by kickoff. Check piedmontnewsonline.com for game announcements and updates.
About the game
Piedmont improved their record to 6-4 overall and 4-3 in 6A-II District 1 going into the game with the Pirates. The Pirates dropped to 6-4 overall and 4-3 in the district.
For Piedmont, the leading receiver going into the game was Carter Hainrihar with an average of 26.7 receiving yards per game. And Jayden Fuston is the leading rusher with a 123.8-yards per game average.
Fuston has had 10 touchdowns.
On defense, senior linebacker Ian Mitchell was the leading tackler with 6.7 tackles per game. Defensive end Clayton Harrington has had four sacks and Mikah Rocco has had one interception.
With the win, Piedmont will host the opening playoff round in their district against Ponca City.
Follow piedmontnewsonline.com for live updates to local news and sports and read the Piedmont-Surrey Gazette for more community coverage.
The results of the games this fall 2024 follow.
Aug. 30, Midwest City, won 13-0.
Sept. 6, El Reno, won, 27-14.
Sept. 20, Norman, lost 41-14.
Sept. 27, Choctaw, lost 56-40.
Oct. 4, Northwest Classen, won 61-6.
Oct. 11, U.S. Grant, won 62-0.
Oct. 18, Lawton Eisenhower, 49-31.
Oct. 25, Southmoore, lost 29-28.
Oct. 31, Stillwater, lost 49-7.
Nov. 8, Putnam City, won, 21-14.
Read The Piedmont-Surrey Gazette and follow piedmontnewsonline.com for updates to local news and sports.
Sports writer and photographer Jason Nieuwenhuis of JN Photography contributed to this report.
