Staff Reports

PIEDMONT – In a rematch from last year’s Class 3A second round football playoffs, the Piedmont Bulldogs exacted revenge against Lauderdale County, winning 21-6 to advance to the third round for the ninth time in 10 years.

Cole Wilson led the No. 2 Bulldogs (12-0) by completing 15 of 23 pass attempts for 293 yards and three touchdowns. Rollie Pinto caught five passes for 195 yards and two scores. Ishmael Bethel had nine receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown.

Wilson connected with Pinto on a 67-yard pass for Piedmont’s first score with 10:15 to go in the first quarter. The extra point made it 7-0 Bulldogs.

Lauderdale County (8-4) got on the scoreboard just before halftime on Curtis Ritter’s 34-yard touchdown pass. The point after was no good, keeping the score at 7-6 Bulldogs at halftime.

Ritter led the Tigers by completing 8 of 19 pass attempts for 88 yards and a touchdown.

A Wilson-to-Pinto 97-yard touchdown pass was the only score in the third quarter, which extended Piedmont’s lead to 14-6. Wilson connected with Bethel eight seconds into the fourth quarter on a 24-yard touchdown toss for the final.

With the win, Piedmont advances to the third round where it will host fifth-ranked Fyffe. The Red Devils (9-2) defeated Gordo 42-14 in other playoff action on Friday.