Photo courtesy of Alex Chaney
Courtesy of East Alabama Sports Today
Luke Rhinehart’s extra effort to get over the goal line for a two-point conversion in overtime was the difference in Piedmont’s 22-21 victory over Hokes Bluff in Class 3A Region 6 action on Oct. 27.
The loss dropped the Eagles (5-4, 4-3) to the fourth playoff seed. Hokes Bluff will visit Madison Academy on Nov. 10 in the first round of the state playoffs. The Bulldogs (4-5, 4-3) clinched the third seed with the win and travel to J.B. Pennington.
Cole Wilson’s 10-yard touchdown pass to Ishmael Bethel tied the game at 14-14 with 4:31 left in regulation.
Hokes Bluff scored first in overtime on Anderson Morgan’s 7-yard pass to Logan Wierman. The Bulldogs answered with Will Gunn’s 10-yard touchdown run, and Piedmont head coach Miller made the call to go for the two-point conversion. Rhinehart fought off a tackler to push the ball over the goal line.
For the Eagles, Bryce Whitaker (pictured above) rushed for 64 yards on 15 carries, Morgan ran 14 times for 59 yards and Blain Barron gained 52 yards on 15 attempts.
Morgan was 5 for 7 in passing for 62 yards and two TDs. Colton Shields had three receptions for 22 yards and a touchdown.
Coleman McGinnis led the way defensively with 18 tackles, followed by Shields with nine, Conner Ford with seven and Brayson Hayes with six. McGinnis and Shields each had a sack.
Hokes Bluff finishes the regular season this Friday (Nov. 3) against Etowah County neighbor Sardis. Piedmont closes out its regular season at home against Class 5A Sylacauga.