Piedmont – Back from injury, Pike turns in game-breaking performance as Piedmont wins 35-19 in Smith’s return with Westbrook Christian
By Shannon Fagan
Piedmont senior Trevor Pike made up for some lost time this football season on Friday night.
Injured earlier this season against Sylvania, Pike made his presence felt in every phase of the game against Class 3A, Region 6 opponent Westbrook Christian.
The first time he touched the ball at running back, Pike ran for 54 yards to set up a McClane Mohon 4-yard touchdown less than three minutes into the game. He later caught a 40-yard touchdown pass out of the backfield from quarterback Cole Wilson in the second quarter.
But perhaps his biggest play of the night came in the closing seconds of the first half.
After Westbrook Christian’s Lamycal Mitchell made it a one-score game, Pike returned the ensuing kickoff 81 yards for a score, giving Piedmont a two-score lead again at halftime.
Pike added another touchdown grab in the third quarter as the Bulldogs went on to claim a 35-19 victory.
The win evens Piedmont’s region mark at 2-2 (2-4 overall) and puts the Bulldogs back in the playoff hunt.
“It shifted the momentum,” Pike said of his kickoff return for a score. “They took it there right before halftime, but then we got it right back.”
Pike’s overall presence was something first-year Piedmont coach Jonathan Miller was glad to see.
“We’ve missed him this year (to injury),” Miller said. “We got him back last week against Anniston. He’s a play maker. He hasn’t touched the ball a whole lot because he hasn’t played a whole lot, but we got him back acclimated last week. He played a great game on defense. We’re going to have to start using him some on offense because he’s got some explosion about him.
“Trevor lays his heart out on the field every time he plays. He had a big night. I’m happy and proud for him.”
Miller said Pike “called his shot” on the kickoff return.
“He told the kids over there on the sideline, ‘Give me four blocks, and I’m going to take it to the house.’ He just made a great play. His will to win is through the roof.”
Making his return to Piedmont and coaching against his former team for the first time, Westbrook Christian head coach Steve Smith said Pike was “a difference maker.”
“He was all over the field, both sides of the ball and the return game.
I thought he played really well,” Smith said. “He’s that guy where the ball finds him. It found him tonight, and he did the right things with it and made a lot of big plays for them.
“No doubt that (kickoff return) was a big momentum swing for them. We had cut it to seven there with about five seconds left. We had some momentum on our side. Give him credit. We just didn’t get him on the ground. He kept on battling. We just didn’t do a good job of getting him on the ground.”
Not satisfied with what he did in the first half, Pike returned a Westbrook punt for big yardage down to the 15-yard line in the third quarter and accounted for another Piedmont score. This one was another touchdown grab from Wilson – an 18-yarder with 7:18 remaining in the
third.
Chase Cardelli’s extra point provided the Bulldogs a 28-7 advantage.
Pike caught four passes for 65 yards and two scores. He also ran for 62 yards on just three carries. Wilson was 7-for-15 passing for 91 yards and the two touchdowns to Pike.
The Warriors tried to keep it close on Mitchell’s 1-yard touchdown on their ensuing drive. Mitchell helped set up the score with his 44-yard catch from quarterback Greyson Carroll that gave Westbrook a first-and-goal from the Piedmont 3-yard line.
After forcing Piedmont to punt, Westbrook Christian had a chance to cut the Bulldog lead even further, but Carroll was sacked and lost the football. Piedmont junior linebacker Kale Austin scooped up the fumble and returned it 24 yards for a touchdown, giving the Bulldogs a 35-13
lead after three quarters.
Carroll connected with Mitchell on an 80-yard score with 8:42 left in the game to bring the Warriors within a 35-19 margin.
Carroll completed eight of 20 pass attempts for 195 yards and the touchdown to Mitchell. Mitchell caught five passes for 165 yards.
Piedmont’s defense sealed the game on Mohon’s interception of Carroll with 4:12 remaining.
“I thought both teams made some mistakes, but they capitalized on the ones we made,” Smith said. “That’s what a good team will do. They capitalize when you make mistakes.
“The mistakes we made tonight hurt us. Credit to them for doing a good job capitalizing.”
Pike and Miller both said it was just good for Piedmont to get a win.
“Everybody’s been working so hard during practice. It’s finally paying off,” he said. “I’m hoping it continues throughout the rest of the season.
“We all knew coming into this game we had to win to have a good shot at the playoffs. That was one of our main driving points tonight.”
Said Miller, “Any win we get right now is just building our confidence. Just about everything has gone against us that can go against us. It’s been a tough year up to this point, but our kids have continued to fight, scratch and claw.
“We’ve played hard. With what we’ve lost, our kids just keep coming back each week and battling that much harder.”
