By Joe Medley, East Alabama Sports Today
PIEDMONT – Piedmont answered any remaining questions in a big way Friday. Yes, Piedmont is still Piedmont.
The third-ranked Bulldogs rushed for 388 yards and rolled over Locust Fork 61-14 in a battle of unbeatens and a game that could have major implications in determining the Class 3A, Region 6 champion.
With the victory, Piedmont upped to 6-0 overall, 4-0 in its new nine-team region and 10-2 since opening 2023 1-4 under then-new head coach Jonathan Miller.
“We’re back, baby!” wide receiver/kick returner Rollie Pinto said triumphantly after another gem performance, which included an 80-yard punt return for a touchdown.
Miller took over when Steve Smith left for Westbrook Christian. Smith won five state titles in 17 seasons at Piedmont, and his departure naturally left questions about whether the good times will still roll.
A 1-4 start against a brutal schedule, while welcoming 10 new offensive starters and losing Pinto to a season-ending knee injury briefly turned questions into fears.
Piedmont’s 10-2 romp since that tough start to 2023 included its 35-30 loss to Lauderdale County in the second round of the playoffs and a 42-27 loss to eventual semifinalist Geraldine.
“Our kids last year kind of set the tone at the end of the year for what was going to come this year,” Miller said. “We never quit and got better each and every week.
“We had some injury issues. We had a good team last year. We just never could get settled and have our guys on the field together, so you’re seeing good injury luck this year. You’re seeing those guys being out here available and ready to perform.”
Perform they did Friday.
Pinto returned the game’s first punt 80 yards for a touchdown and rushed for 54 yards, including a 44-yard touchdown run.
The punt return saw Pinto catch the ball with his back to the defense, start toward Piedmont’s sideline, turn back and elude several tacklers along Locust Fork’s sideline before breaking free for the final 40 yards.
“I kind of turned my back to the ball before I caught it, so I was just praying I didn’t get killed,” he said. “I was going to run outside, and just cut back in. I saw green grass and just ran as fast as I can.”
Jaxson Howard rushed for a team-best 104 yards, including touchdown runs of three and 35 yards, and Hayes Gunn’s 85-yard night included three touchdown runs (6, 1 and 15 yards).
“We controlled the line of scrimmage,” Miller said. “That’s been an emphasis.
“We’re always going to be able to throw the ball and do some things on the perimeter, but the big thing tonight was we had an idea we’d be able to run between the tackles tonight and have a lot of success.”
The Bulldogs didn’t need much from their highly productive quarterback, but Cole Wilson flexed for a 64-yard touchdown bomb to Isaiah Young and ran for a 2-yard score.
Piedmont led 35-0 at halftime and never let up and 41-0 before Locust Fork got on the board.
Piedmont out-gained the Hornets 476 total yards to 188 and forced six turnovers (3 interceptions and 3 fumbles).
As if the night wasn’t tough enough for Locust Fork (5-1, 3-1), the Hornets lost quarterback Dylan Embry to an apparent knee injury. He finished with 95 yards rushing, including a 5-yard touchdown run before exiting the action.
It was that kind of night for Locust Fork, but it was a dominating night for Piedmont, the kind Piedmont fans got used to in big games under Smith.
“It was kind of viewed as a big game in the region, big game in the state in 3A,” Miller said. “To show up and play the way we did?
“We had a feeling coming in we were going to play pretty well. Our kids were locked in all week and ready to play.”