Team is now 1-3
The Piedmont Highlanders football team fell to Aragon 40-14 at Witter Field on September 18, dropping to 1-3 on the season. Aragon led 27-6 entering the fourth quarter before adding 13 points while Piedmont scored 8 in the final period.
Piedmont entered the game with several key players unavailable to play including running back Rehan Mumtaz, safety Diego Hurwitz and cornerback Owen Curran. The Highlanders also lost one of their top offensive linemen, Jared Lavaka, shortly before kickoff, forcing freshman Wes Fatai to step into the position.
“We had one of our top offensive linemen who couldn’t play. We didn’t find out about that until a couple hours before the game,” coach Jordan Seiden said. “Had to plug a freshman into his role.”
Fatai had practiced with the varsity squad during the week but had not been prepared to play the position in the game. Despite the circumstances, Seiden said the team continued to compete.
“He went out and fought. He went out and tried hard. You know he did his best,” Seiden said. “But the effort was there. You know, they were trying.”
The absences affected both sides of the ball, with several starters unavailable at the same time. Seiden said the players who were missing are the strongest for the team.
“Those are all great players for us. Those are all important,” Seiden said. “Those are all heavy contributor starters that are out.”
Aragon’s offense entered the matchup averaging 362 total yards per game, including 270.3 passing yards and 91.7 rushing yards. Piedmont was averaging 192.3 total yards, with 118.7 passing yards and 73.7 rushing yards.
Aragon receiver Nick Mazzola led the Dons with 105 receiving yards and a touchdown, a season-high in receiving yards for him. The Dons’ 40 points were also their highest scoring total of the season.
For the Highlanders, receiver Mateo Long had a touchdown reception in the first quarter, and senior Colby Hong scored a rushing touchdown in the final quarter.
The result of the game was a change from last season’s matchup between the teams, when Piedmont defeated Aragon 39-16. Aragon improved to 3-1.
Piedmont will return to the field when the team travels to Moreau Catholic on September 25, for a 7 p.m. game.