By Will Gaines, Fort Payne Times-Journal
SYLVANIA – Sylvania played one of the best programs in the state tough for four quarters, but in the end, the Rams couldn’t pull off the victory as they fell 40-20 to Piedmont in the first round of the Class 3A state playoffs.
Piedmont’s Jack Hayes threw two touchdown passes and rushed for two more in the victory, which sets up a second-round showdown with Lauderdale County. Lauderdale County defeated Vinemont 28-6 in other first-round action on Friday.
“This was not your usual first round game,” Piedmont head coach Steve Smith said. “I think both of these teams could have made a deep run in the playoffs. We are certainly glad to come up here and get this win. It was a big win for us.”
Sylvania head coach Tyler Vann praised his team’s effort.
“Piedmont is a really good football team that I think will make a really deep run,” Vann said. “We are a really good football team too. I just don’t think we played well enough to win tonight and they deserve the credit for that.”
Piedmont (9-2) jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter after Hayes scored the first touchdown of the night on a two-yard run. Sloan Smith added the extra-point to make it 7-0 with 4:15 left in the first.
Piedmont scored again with a 53-yard punt return for a touchdown from Austin Estes with 3:07 left in the first. Smith added the extra point.
Sylvania (8-3) didn’t stay down long. As the first quarter ended, the Rams began to build momentum.
On the first play of the second quarter, Preston Bates scored on a 13-yard run. Conner Andrade added the extra point to cut Piedmont’s lead to 14-7.
However, on the next drive Hayes hit Estes for a 42-yard touchdown pass. Smith added the extra point to make it 21-7 with 9:55 left in the first half.
Sylvania responded again with a 62-yard touchdown pass from Brody Smith to Zack Anderson. Andrade made it 21-14 with 2:47 left in the first half.
Piedmont got into field goal range just before the half, but the 34-yard attempt was blocked and returned to midfield by Anderson with eight seconds remaining.
Sylvania’s Smith then connected on a deep pass inside the five-yard line, but offensive pass interference was called as time expired in the first half.
In the second half, Piedmont began to take control. The Bulldogs opened the third quarter with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Hayes to Estes. The extra point failed, but Piedmont led 27-14.
Hayes scored again with 4:22 left in the third on a 1-yard run, which was set up by a 21-yard run by Estes. The two-point attempt failed and Piedmont led 33-14.
Again, Sylvania responded with a 55-yard touchdown pass from Smith to Sawyer Hughes. The extra point attempt failed, but Sylvania made the score 33-20 with 7:30 remaining.
Piedmont sealed the win with 2:28 remaining on a 3-yard run from Parker Thornton. Sloan Smith added the extra point.
Hayes finished with 92 yards rushing and two touchdowns. He also went 11-for-20 passing for 146 yards and two touchdowns. Estes had 81 yards receiving for two touchdowns and added 28 yards rushing. Brayden Morgan had 69 yards rushing on six carries, and Coleman Reid had three catches for 49 yards.
For Sylvania, Brody Smith went 13-for-30 for 201 yards and two touchdowns. Hughes had 114 yards receiving and a touchdown. Zack Anderson had 87 yards receiving and a touchdown.
