Glencoe (1-1, 1-0) at Piedmont (2-0, 1-0)
Last week: Glencoe 15, Weaver 3; Piedmont 36, Ashville 13
Last meeting: 2011 Piedmont 28, Glencoe 17
Series record: Glencoe 23, Piedmont 17 (one tie)
By Gene Stanley/Messenger Sports Correspondent
Ever since Steve Smith became head coach at Piedmont in 2006, the Bulldogs have won all four meetings against Glencoe.
That puts Yellow Jackets coach Lee Ozmint with an 0-4 record in the series.
Ozmint hopes to end that drought tonight as two of the best teams in Class 3A, Region 6 clash.
“I’m not going over there to lose a game,” Ozmint said. “On paper, Piedmont is a much better team than us, but you’ve got to line the field, put on your pads and play the game.
When it gets between the lines, nothing else matters.”
Ozmint is confident that his team will play hard and will be doing its best to produce a victory.
Both coaches have had winning results but with markedly different styles. Glencoe – page 3B
In five seasons, Smith’s teams have scored over 2,600 points and have yielded over 1,300. Meanwhile, in the same amount of time, Glencoe’s teams have scored over 1,400 but have given up only a bit over 900.
“(Piedmont) has a whole stable of good running backs,” Ozmint said. “They’ve got a quarterback who can run or pass and they’ve got great receivers. You can hold them for two plays, then they might bust loose for 80 yards on the next one.”
Glencoe lost to Westbrook in the season opener, then defeated Weaver last week. Ozmint saw a lot of improvement in a week’s time.
“On the field, team chemistry means a lot,” he said. “And I think that when our team is playing right, we’re hard to deal with, too.”
Smith agrees with that last sentiment.
“Weaver probably has as good of skill players as any team in our region,” Smith said. “And Glencoe held them, so I know their defense will be tough, as always. (Ozmint) has got their program to where they think they’ll win ever week. We’re at the same point, so the game could come down to which team makes the fewest mistakes.”
Last week against Weaver, Thomas Ozmint rushed 18 times for 70 yards and a touchdown, while Daniel Otwell gained 63 yards on seven attempts.
Hunter Nunnally completed 5-of-16 passes for 71 yards. Daylon Freeman had two receptions fro 26 yards.
Mason Brown led the Yellow Jackets in tackles with nine, while Blake Christian and Dalton Gowens each had two sacks.