Friday, September 28, 2007

GAME 3 v. TRINITY

New offense clicks in win
Neither rain, nor sloppy field, nor Trinity can keep Piedmont from completing come-from-behind victory
By Jimmy Durkin
STAFF WRITER
Article Launched: 09/28/2007 03:03:50 AM PDT

With this rate of growth, Piedmont High School coach Kurt Bryan's A-11 offense experiment might turn out to be legendary.
For now, the Highlanders are just happy to get their first win after they beat Trinity 20-14 Saturday on a wet, sloppy night in Weaverville.

"There's been exponential growth in installing the new system," Bryan said. "This is kind of a fluid learning curve for the players and the staff. It really came together, even on a wet field and in wet conditions."
Piedmont (1-2) drove the ball inside the Wolves 4-yard line on its first two drives and got six points on short field goals by Jordan Remer.

But in between, Trinity scored a touchdown and added a two-point conversion. Another Wolves TD in the second quarter and two missed field goals had the Highlanders facing a 14-8 halftime deficit. In the second half, things started to click for Piedmont.

Senior Rory Bonnin returned a punt 67-yards for a touchdown, and junior quarterback Jeremy George connected with Alexander Menke for the game-tying two-point conversion. In the fourth, George -- who finished an efficient 14-for-26 for 180 yards -- hooked up with sophomore Ryan Andrada for a 60-yard TD pass that gave the Scots the lead for good.

"They (the players) earned it, because Trinity was tough," Bryan said of the win. "They were physically tough. They knew they beat a good team. To get a come from behind win on the road is great way to get the first 'W.' "The win also comes just
in time as it give Piedmont confidence entering Bay Shore Athletic League play at 7 tonight at home against St. Mary's.
"It's not only great timing, but somebody asked me if it got the monkey off my back," Bryan said. "I told them, 'I had the whole zoo on my back.' "

Looking toward tonight's game against the Panthers, Bryan knows his team needs to keep improving at the rate it has through the first three weeks. "They're fast and big," he said of St. Mary's. "and it will be a great test for our team. It would be great to get our first at home if we can continue to improve at a good clip."

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