Host Piedmont left no doubt from the beginning in a 56-18 non-league victory over Salesian on Friday night, leading by 29 points at the half and then cruising from there.
Cole Kingston scored three times in the game, including a 95-yard kickoff return in the third quarter, and the backfield duo of Kamahn Smith and Myles Smith was dominant on the ground, as the Highlanders executed in every aspect of the game. The two aforementioned backs combined for 186 yards on just 20 carries, while quarterback Jacob Prager completed all seven of his passes, for 95 yards and three touchdowns.
"It felt good to be able to run the football finally. The challenge we put on our team was to go out and execute, which we did not do the week before," said Piedmont coach James Holan. "KK (Kamahn) showed what an explosive athlete he was, in his first start at running back, while Myles did a great job of being consistent and getting us first downs."
Kamahn Smith's 60-yard burst in the first quarter overcame an early 6-0 deficit for Piedmont (3-1), and the Highlanders added to the lead when Will Kalmbach hauled in a 20-yard scoring pass from Prager before the end of the quarter.
Prager connected with Ian Joseph and Kingston for touchdown passes in the second quarter, sandwiched around a seven-yard touchdown run by Kingston, who scored in all three facets of the game.
Salesian (0-2) cut the lead to 35-12 in the third quarter, but Kingston quickly responded with his kickoff return. In the fourth quarter, Marshall Petty hit Luke Anderson for the 19-yard score, and after Salesian responded with a score, the Highlanders struck again on special teams, as EJ Cheung returned the ensuing kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown, and the final points of the game.
Piedmont hosts unbeaten Encinal this week, while Salesian heads to Berean Christian.
