Leeds running back Dedrick Forsythe leaves a trail of Piedmont defenders behind as he heads toward the end zone. The Green Wave defeated the Bulldogs 14-13 in overtime to remain perfect in region play at 6-0.
The Bulldogs overcame a seven-point halftime deficit but fell in the extra period when they decided go for a 2-point conversion and the win instead of an extra point that would’ve prolonged the game.
The loss was Piedmont’s third to the Green Wave during the course of the past two seasons. The Green Wave defeated the Bulldogs handily in a Week 8 matchup a year ago and again in the third round of the playoffs on their way to an undefeated season and title.
Each team entered the game with blemishes but spotless in the region.
The Bulldogs (6-2, 5-1), ranked No. 4 in the most recent Alabama Sports Writers Association poll, finished just 2 yards shy of dethroning the Green Wave. Senior quarterback Chase Childers was stopped short of the end zone on a 2-point conversion as the Bulldogs went for the upset. Childers and the Bulldogs answered Leeds’ score in overtime. With the game knotted at 7 in regulation, the Green Wave took a 14-7 lead on a 10-yard run from Dedrick Forsythe and the extra point.
Childers came back with a 15-yard touchdown pass to 6-foot-1, 191-pound junior wide receiver Jamaal Johnson on a perfectly executed jump ball pass.
Bulldogs coach Steve Smith said he never had any doubt they were going for two and the win.
“I told our guys that if we scored in the fourth quarter, and we felt like we would, that we were going to go for two,” Smith said. “I trust my guys over anybody. I told them at the half that when we scored we going for two. We were at home and we’ve got a lot of seniors on both sides of the ball.”
The Bulldogs lined up in the shotgun, snapped the ball to Childers, who headed left toward the end zone but was met by defenders.
“We try to teach our guys to respect everybody and fear nobody,” Smith said. “There’s not a guy in that locker room that doesn’t think that they can win against anybody they play. We’ve got a tough game next week and it’s going to be a dogfight.”
Next week, Piedmont will host Glencoe (7-1, 6-1) in a game that will likely decide second place in the region.
Piedmont went out to attempt a two-point conversion earlier in the game when the Bulldogs pulled to within one at 7-6 on a 4-yard touchdown run by Luke Smith but a false start penalty pushed the Bulldogs back 5 yards. So, they decided to attempt the point after and tie the game. Christopher Strott connected on the attempt.
That capped a 13-play, 95-yard drive by the Bulldogs that began on their 5 with 1:32 left in the third.
“No, we weren’t caught off guard,” said Leeds coach Keith Etheredge of the final play. “Coach Smith is an offensive-minded guy. They got us overloaded and caught in a shift. Our guys just stepped up and made a huge play to with the region championship on the line. It was the best high school football game I’ve ever been a part of.”
Leeds (7-1, 6-0) used the big play for its lone score in regulation.
The visitors went ahead 7-0 on an 82-yard halfback pass from Forsythe to Jonathon Rose with 2:09 left in the half. It was one of only two passes Leeds completed. Etheridge said it was a play his team hadn’t used since Week 1.
Forsythe finished with 96 yards on 14 carries, while Ladarius Rogers added 72 yards on 14 carries.
Piedmont’s Christian Cantrell led all rushers with 114 yards on 16 carries. He also added a 12-yard reception. Childers completed 7 of 16 passing attempts for 72 yards and an interception. He also rushed for 47 yards and added an interception from his safety position. Noah Willis finished with four receptions for 48 yards for the Bulldogs.
Leeds will play host to Tarrant tomorrow.
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