CENTRE — Even though Piedmont coach Steve Smith says that the Bulldogs are “predominately a running team,” no one could have imagined the Bulldogs going to Centre, having 14 different players carry the ball, and churning out over 500 rushing yards against the Class 4A Cherokee County Warriors.

But they did.

“We're very fortunate to have an experienced line and they create opportunities for their teammates to take advantage of” Smith said after Piedmont's 42-22 win Friday night.

The victory put an exclamation point on an undefeated regular season for the Bulldogs.

Piedmont set the tone on the first possession, as they marched 65 yards on seven plays. Senior Dalton Riffey picked up the score going off-tackle from the 4. Dillon Terry added the first of his six extra points.

After a defensive stop, junior Sarandon Dunbar blasted 64 yards through the Warriors defense to give Piedmont a 14-0 first quarter lead.

Junior quarterback Tanner Young directed the Warriors on a well-executed drive that culminated in Michael Burleson's fifth touchdown catch of the season, from seven yards out.

Jamie Major became the third Bulldog to score, as he sprinted 28 yards to the end zone with 5:55 left in the second quarter. The score stretched Piedmont's lead to 21-7.

After a quick change of possessions, the Warriors caught a break when they recovered a Piedmont fumble. They capitalized on a pitch and catch from Young to Ty Green, but the score was nullified by a penalty.

The drive stalled there and Piedmont went to work with just under a minute to the break. The Bulldogs needed only three plays before a Major's 59-yard romp rolled the scoreboard numbers, making it 28-7 at the half.

Senior Patrick Lowe had an athletic interception to stop Piedmont as they came out of the gate to start the third quarter. But Piedmont's Cade Bradley dashed the Warriors hopes of a quick score by picking off an errant pass deep in Bulldog territory.

Next to score for Piedmont was Exavyer Jackson. The sophomore cannonballed through the line for a two-yard score, and the Bulldogs pressed the lead to 35-7.
Jay Jackson would be the fifth and final Bulldog to score on a five-yard run, increasing the advantage to 42-7.

The Warriors got 15 points in the final period. Young threw a bullet to sophomore wide receiver Marquise Walker near midfield. Then, Walker caught the ball in stride and won the footrace to the goal line. D.J. McAllister was credited with the two-point conversion to make the score 42-15 with 10:59 left in the fourth.

Jacob Whitmire had a pick-six to record Warriors' final regular season points.
Both teams now turn their attention to the state playoffs. The Warriors (5-5) travel to Class 4A Region 6 top qualifier Anniston (6-4). Piedmont (10-0), the top-ranked team in class 3A, hosts Geraldine.