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By: Chris Evans
What a season makes. Well, that is what Piedmont head coach Trinity Johnson may be hoping as his Piedmont Wildcats come to Guthrie for a 7:30 pm kick with the top ranked Guthrie BlueJays.
The Jays defeated Piedmont, 62-0, last season inside the Rock, in Week 2, that saw six different BlueJays score. In that game, Piedmont was without the service of 13 starters. The Wildcats finished the 2007 season without a win, but snapped their 12-game losing streak last week at Harrah, 22-10.
"We'll have a chance to make the playoffs if we're able to stay injury-free," Johnson said of his Wildcats, who play in Class 4A-1 and are predicted to finish seventh according to the coaches of the district.
In last years game with the Jays, Piedmont had up to 13-players who did not play due to injuries, but the Wildcats this season are healthy.
Piedmont dropped their opening game of the season to arch rival Deer Creek, 35-20, and the game at Jelsma Stadium will be the first on the road this season for the 1-1 Wildcats.
Leading the way for the Wildcat offense is senior running back Evan Heath (5'8 200lbs). Heath is a three-year starter and will get the majority of the work load. In the two games this season, Heath has rushed for 91-yards on 28-carries and has a touchdown run. Heath has been bothered with injuries throughout his career and missed last season's game with the Jays. As a freshmen he gained over 900-yards.
Piedmont inserts a new quarterback in junior Travis Mustain (5'10 160lbs). Mustain has a completion rate of .476 by completing 10 of 21 passes for 120-yards and has both thrown for a touchdown and an interception, but the 'Cats rely on the run game.
The top receiver and cornerback for the 'Cats returns in senior Zach White. White is tough to beat one-on-one and is very rangy.
The best blocker for the Wildcats is the junior tight end Corbin Ross for an offense that has rushed for an average of 130-yards on the ground and 70-yards through the air.
Defensively, Piedmont is allowing 197-yards on the ground, 100-yards in the air, and give up 22.50 points a contest which may not be good news for the Wildcats. In addition, the 'Cats will have numerous of players playing on both sides of the ball.
The Jays are averaging 310-yards of offense so far in two games and average 28-points a contest. Senior running back Clayton Smith is expected to be back in the Guthrie line-up after sitting out last week's game with a toe injury.
Meanwhile, the Guthrie defense has not allowed a touchdown so far in eight quarters of football along with seven shut-out quarters.
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