PIEDMONT WILDCATS
Coach: JEFF HALL
7-5
OFFENSE
The Wildcats return seven offensive starters this season, including a few three-year starters. Getting the start at quarterback – and taking command of Jeff Hall’s flexbone offense – is Josh Mars (5-11, 190, Sr.). As a junior, Mars accounted for 14 rushing touchdowns and 6 passing touchdowns on over 1,100 combined yards. Feature back Cannon Wood (6-1, 220, Sr.) hauled in 15 scores on over 1,200 yards last year while playing both ways. Mars and Wood will share the backfield with Jayden Fuston (5-9, 170, Jr.). Fuston displayed his elusive speed out of the slot last year and is primed for a productive year. The Wildcats line will feature a batch of athletic, skilled bodies, including tackle Talan Owen (6-2, 250, Sr.). Owen, also a capable basketball player and shot-put thrower, missed the first three games of his junior year after tearing his labrum but bounced back for an impressive finish to the season on both sides of the ball. Marshal Wolverton (5-9, 200, Sr.) will get the start at center, and Ty Bohuslavicky (6-2, 260, Sr.) will start at guard.
DEFENSE
Like its offense, Piedmont’s senior-heavy defense returns most of its core from the past two years, including eight total starters from 2022. Brogan Hardy (6-3, 240, Sr.), also a standout on the mats, headlines the Wildcats linebacking corps. Hardy was named a Big All-City selection by The Oklahoman as he led the state with 230 tackles last season and “will only improve this year,” Hall said. Tyson Benford (6-2, 195, Sr.) will provide his punishing tackling and dynamic athleticism to the group at outside backer. Benford accounted for 148 tackles, including 11 for losses, and 4 sacks last fall. Jordan Fuston (5-9, 290, Sr.) will be the team’s veteran on the defensive line when it opens Week 0 against Noble. Free safety Nick Elmhorst (6-0, 170, Sr.) rounds out the team’s returning secondary.
SCHEDULE
8-25 – vs. Noble
9-1 – at El Reno
9-8 – vs. Blanchard
9-15 – vs. Duncan
9-22 – at Southeast
9-29 – at Guthrie
10-13 – vs. Eisenhower
10-20 – at Shawnee
10-27 – vs. Bishop McGuinness
11-3 – at Carl Albert
