Staff Reports

PIEDMONT – Cole Austin completed 7-of-9 pass attempts for 257 yards and four touchdowns in leading the Class 2A, No. 4 Piedmont Bulldogs to a 54-6 thrashing of Gaston in Region 6 football action on Friday.

Austin’s touchdown tosses went to Bentley Chandler for 15 yards in the first quarter, Carson Sanders for 58 yards in the first quarter, Carson Cleveland for 32 yards in the second quarter, and Mason Morrow for 70 yards in the second quarter.

Piedmont led 21-0 at the end of the first quarter and 41-0 at halftime.

Jaxson Howard added 110 yards on 17 carries with three scores and a 2-point conversion for Piedmont (5-0, 3-0). Isaiah Pinto ran for 67 yards on five totes with a 19-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

Zyien Dupree prevented the shutout by scoring Gaston’s lone touchdown on a 4-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Piedmont hosts Class 4A, No. 2 Alexandria in non-region action on Friday.