The drive killer
- Updated: August 28, 2021
Foster’s drive-killing interceptions propel Piedmont past Cherokee County, 27-0
By Shannon Fagan
Special to East Alabama Sports Today
PIEDMONT – Just call Piedmont senior defensive back Omarion Foster the drive killer.
The Bulldogs were on their defensive heels a bit on Cherokee County’s first drive of the game. From their own 2-yard line, the Warriors marched down inside the red zone behind the bullish running of Damien Ramsey in 10 plays, but then penalties backed them up to force a third-and-long passing situation.
That’s when Foster came up with his first big play of the night. He intercepted a Cade Hopper pass in the end zone and returned it back to the 38. Piedmont’s offense put together a touchdown drive from there to take the lead.
But Foster wasn’t content with making just one interception. He picked off another Hopper pass on the Warriors’ second drive of the night, returning it all the way down to the Warriors’ 2, which resulted in another Piedmont score.
Foster’s interceptions were the catalysts that led Class 3A No. 2 Piedmont to a 27-0 season-opening win. It was the 10th straight victory Piedmont has posted over its Highway 9 rival, and its first shutout since 1993. It also broke the all-time series tie; the Bulldogs now lead 38-37-3.
“I was just playing my position,” Foster said. “I was just there when he threw it, and I broke on the ball. If I know my receiver is on his route, then I try to scan the quarterback a little, then I go back on the ball wherever he throws it. I was glad to get a turnover. That’s what we needed.”
“Obviously, those (interceptions) were big,” Piedmont coach Steve Smith said.
“They were drive killers,” Cherokee County coach Jacob Kelley. “The thing about it is we had other guys wide open … Cade’s got to make better decisions, especially when you’ve got CJ (Gresham) out there basically one-on-one. Right now, our inconsistencies on offense are making it hard for us to be competitive. It’s really that simple.”
After Foster’s first interception, Piedmont (1-0) scored its first touchdown on a 7-yard Brayden Morgan run. Sloan Smith’s extra point made it 7-0 with 2:54 remaining in the first quarter.
Following Foster’s second pick, Piedmont quarterback Jack Hayes scored on a 2-yard run 70 seconds after the Bulldogs’ first score to take a 14-0 lead.
Piedmont was driving again early in the second quarter, but Mother Nature stalled that one with an hour-and-16-minute weather delay. The teams returned to play the final 6:25 of the second quarter.
Piedmont received the second-half kickoff and marched 82 yards in just five plays, with the end result a 61-yard Hayes-to-Morgan touchdown toss. Sloan Smith’s third extra point pushed Piedmont out to a 21-0 lead.
Parker Thornton scored on a 5-yard run with just under two minutes remaining in the game for the final.
Morgan led the Bulldogs ground attack with 75 yards on 11 carries with a touchdown. Hayes had 72 yards and a score on 13 totes. He was also 5-of-7 passing for 120 yards and a touchdown.
Ramsey topped the Warrior ground game with 111 yards on 19 carries. Lamycal Mitchell added 50 yards on 11 attempts. Hopper completed 12-of-27 pass attempts for 116 yards and three interceptions.
“We let it get away from us,” Kelley said. “It’s just the inconsistencies, the penalties, the things that get us in third-and-long situations. The defense can key in on what we’re about to do. If we don’t make good decisions, then obviously bad things happen.”
Cherokee County travels to Springville next Friday, while Piedmont opens Class 3A, Region 5 play at Saks.
Shannon Fagan is Sports Director at WEIS Radio.
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