Staff Reports

LOCUST FORK – Piedmont senior Rollie Pinto scored touchdowns on a kickoff return, a punt return, and a rushing attempt to help the Bulldogs bulldoze Locust Fork 49-9 in Class 3A, Region 6 football action on Friday.

After spotting the Hornets (1-5, 1-3) an early touchdown lead, the second-ranked Bulldogs (6-0, 4-0) scored 43 unanswered points.

Pinto posted Piedmont’s first points on an 80-yard kickoff return following the Hornets’ touchdown to tie the game at 6-6. Nick Mixson’s 72-yard touchdown run closed out the first quarter scoring, with the Bulldogs in front 12-6.

In the second quarter, Pinto returned a punt 59 yards for a touchdown. The 2-point try was successful, giving the Bulldogs a 20-6 advantage. Pinto later scored on a 45-yard touchdown run. Quarterback Cole Austin’s 2-point run made the score 28-6 with 7:04 remaining in the first half.

Austin connected with Mason Morrow on a 21-yard touchdown pass, and following another successful 2-point try, Piedmont held a 36-6 lead at halftime.

Austin opened the third quarter scoring with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Taylon Swain. Jaxon Thomas added the point after for a 43-6 advantage.

Austin finished the game 6-of-10 passing for 69 yards and two touchdowns. Morrow and Swain both had a pair of catches and a score apiece.

An Omar Aguilar 27-yard field goal near the end of the third quarter ended Locust Fork’s scoring drought, making the score 43-9.

Piedmont’s Jaxson Howard scored on a 17-yard run early in the fourth for the final.

Howard had 52 yards on six carries with a touchdown. Mixson led the Bulldog running game with 128 yards on seven totes with a touchdown. Pinto had a pair of carries for 47 yards a score.

Piedmont travels to J.B. Pennington on Friday.