Piedmont High School’s boys football team kept on rolling on Nov. 2, hammering Kennedy-Fremont at Tak Fudenna Stadium, 42-6.
The Highlanders had a shutout going before the Titans scored on the game’s final play from scrimmage.
Piedmont concludes the regular season on Nov. 8 at home against Newark Memorial. If the Highlanders win, they will take the West Alameda County Conference Mission Division championship. Last season, Piedmont tied with Kennedy to win the WACC Shoreline Division.
The offense put up 327 yards compared to 188 for the Titans. Quarterback Markos Lagios completed 15 of 21 passes for 233 yards and five touchdowns. Teams have been concentrating on receiver Sam Shelby all season long so other receivers have stepped up.
Cash Elmquist caught two passes, both for touchdowns. One was a three-yard pass to open the scoring. The other came on a 26-yard play late in the first half to make it 21-0.
“Sam’s always our guy but he’s getting covered now,” Elmquist said. “People see him so the ball gets moved around now. The first one we had a fake run going and I just leaked out to the flat. Markos hit me. Did his thing. The second one, it was a big fourth down, just hit the gap in the middle, look for the ball, touchdown.”
Xavier Henderson also caught two scoring passes, finishing with three catches for 80 yards.
The first touchdown went for 40 yards late in the first quarter to make it 14-0. The second went for 37 yards to cap the Highlanders scoring in the fourth quarter.
The defense has been the story all season for Piedmont and Henderson has been a big part of that after transferring from Oakland Tech. The Exedra has Henderson 35 solo tackles and 13 tackles for loss. He was asked after the game whether he liked scoring touchdowns or tackles for loss more.
“I’m more of a defensive guy so I like the tackle for loss,” Henderson said. “It takes the defense’s energy to another level.” Said Elmquist, “He’s so sound on defense. I’m turned the wrong way and I just see him in the backfield making tackles. It’s unbelievable.”
Lagios also threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to Cash Panico and ran for a two-yard touchdown. Lagios has now thrown for 1,717 yards on the season with 23 touchdowns and just five interceptions. Shelby, despite the tight coverage, caught six passes for 55 yards.
Rehan Mumtax blocked a punt and Fischer Veltri forced and recovered a fumble. Kennedy scored when Josiah Stinson connected on a 60-yard touchdown pass with Jaden Roman. The fourth quarter was played with a running clock due to the mercy rule.