This article was updated on Sept. 3 with corrections to Salesian players’ names.
Piedmont High School’s boys football team opened its season with a 46-14 loss to Salesian College Prep at Witter Field on Aug. 30.
The Highlanders next host Middletown on Sept. 6.
Piedmont opened up strong with Brandon Dicke recovering Sam Shelby’s onside kick to start the game. On the first play from scrimmage, quarterback Markos Lagios took a high snap, rolled to his right and found Dicke deep downfield for a 50-yard touchdown.
Late in the first quarter, Piedmont’s Xavier Henderson knocked the ball out from Salesian receiver Carlton Perrilliat and Jason Shum fell on it for the Highlanders. Piedmont then marched to the Pride 29. There, another bad snap resulted in a fumble recovered by Pharoah Jackson of Salesian.
The Highlanders were using a backup at center with starter Liam Leahy out with a sprained ankle. Coach Jordan Seiden said he hoped Leahy would be back this week. “Liam had rolled his ankle pretty bad the week before the scrimmage,” Seiden said. “Had a sophomore who filled in admirably, did his best. Center is nearly as difficult a position to play as quarterback.”
Instead of a chance to build a two-touchdown lead in the first quarter, Piedmont instead watched the Pride get going on offense. Quarterback Marcus Burke tied the score on a one-yard run early in the second quarter. Later, Burke connected with Perrilliat on a 23-yard touchdown to give Salesian the lead 14-7 at halftime.
Piedmont opened the second half with a nice six-play, 49-yard touchdown drive to tie the score. Lagios hit Shelby for a seven-yard scoring pass.
It was all Salesian after that. Burke hit Joseph Tarin for a 13-yard touchdown pass to take the lead for good on the next possession. The Highlanders turned it over on downs on their next possession and the Pride went down and scored again.
A blocked punt and a pair of Lagios interceptions in the fourth quarter led to the game getting out of hand, at least on the scoreboard.
When asked what needs to get better, Seiden said “ultimately, not shooting ourselves in the foot.”
Seiden didn’t dwell on the negative. “iIt was a real close game right up into the middle of the third quarter,” he said. “(Salesian is) a good program. It was a good measuring stick for us.”
He was very excited about Xavier Henderson, who had 10 solo tackles, two assisted tackles and 2 ½ tackles for loss in his debut with the Highlanders. “It’s a pretty good debut,” Seiden said. “It’s nice to have a guy you can let run free, find the football and make some plays. He’s kind of showing us what kind of player he is.”
Tommy Ashton finished with 59 yards on nine carries to lead the Piedmont rushing attack. Lagios completed seven of 24 passes for 94 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Shelby caught six passes for 45 yards with the touchdown.
Burke was 10 of 19 for 142 yards and the three touchdowns for Salesian. Isaiah Latigue rushed for 160 yards and two touchdowns. The Pride totaled 394 yards on offense to 231 for the Highlanders.