After losing the first two games of the season, Augusta Prep earned its first win, defeating Piedmont Academy 16-14 on Sept. 8
The Cavaliers were outscored 106-6 in its first two contests but were able to prevail Friday night against Piedmont.
“We got a young team; it feels extremely good,” said Augusta Prep Coach Todd Booker. “We’ve improved a lot, trying to improve from the first two weeks and these young kids just keep getting better and that is all we are striving for is to get better every week.”
Augusta Prep has eight seniors, but most have never played for the Cavaliers. The roster includes only five returning juniors and seniors.
“I’ve got several seniors that it is their first year playing, and I got five returning juniors and seniors that are the heart and soul of our team. They have done great and are our leaders, but now everyone else is starting to step up around them,” said Booker.
Some younger players were able to shine Friday night as Beau Polcha rushed in the first touchdown of the game for the Cavaliers. Freshman quarterback Carter Chavous followed Polcha up by running in the two-point conversion and putting the Cavaliers ahead 8-0 with 3:40 left in the first quarter.
On the very next play, Piedmont wide receiver Owen Piedra ran the kickoff back for the long touchdown. The Cougars converted the two-point conversion to tie the game 8-8.
The game would stay tied 8-8 until the fourth quarter as both offenses failed to move the ball.
Chavous put the Cavaliers ahead with a 40-yard touchdown run and converted a two-pointer, making the score 16-8 with 8:40 left in the game.
With under two minutes left, Piedmont running back Mason Tumlin ran in the 5-yard touchdown to put the Cougars within two points. Piedmont quarterback Hunter Cleveland fell short on running in the two-point conversion and Augusta Prep held on to the 16-14 victory.
“I thought up front offensively we played well and our freshman quarterback Carter Chavous ran the ball extremely well,” Booker said. “I am just proud of the kids; they worked hard for this win.”
Augusta Prep (1-2) will look for another win on the road against Bulloch Academy (2-0) next Friday, Sept. 15. Piedmont Academy (1-2) will be at home against Edmund Burke Academy (2-0) also next Friday night.
Christopher Rickerson, an Augusta University graduate, has covered area sports for Augusta University, The Augusta Press and Augusta Good News. Subscribe to the Augusta Good News newsletter here.
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