Staff Reports

GERALDINE – Ish Bethel caught five passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns, but the Piedmont Bulldogs fell at No. 8 Geraldine 42-27 in Class 3A, Region 6 football action on Friday night.

Bethel put Piedmont (3-5, 3-3) out in front 7-0 with his 75-yard touchdown grab from quarterback Cole Wilson with 6:44 to go in the first quarter. Geraldine’s Jaxon Colvin countered with a 21-yard touchdown run that tied the game at 7 after a quarter.

Kale Austin put Piedmont back out in front 14-7with his 47-yard fumble return for a touchdown early in the second quarter. Colvin tied the game again at 14 with his 23-yard touchdown run with 2:27 remaining in the first half.

Wilson connected with Bethel for another Piedmont score in the third quarter. That one went for 35 yards and it gave Piedmont a 21-14 advantage.

Geraldine (7-1, 5-1) struck back with a pair of Carlos Mann touchdown runs of 26 and 41 yards, giving Geraldine a 28-21 lead early in the fourth quarter.

Hayes Gunn got Piedmont back within a point with his 10-yard touchdown run with 7:25 remaining in the game, but the extra point was blocked to keep the score at 28-27.

Geraldine then put the game away on Mann and Colvin’s touchdown runs of 44 and 41 yards respectively for the final.

Trevor Pike added 38 yards on seven carries for Piedmont. Wilson had 14 carries for 42 yards, and McClane Mohon caught five passes for 42 yards.

Piedmont hosts Hokes Bluff on Friday. Geraldine is at Glencoe.