Gordo Falls Short in 28-20 Quarterfinals Loss Against Piedmont

Gordo's season concluded on Friday in the third round of the 3A AHSAA playoffs, where the Greenwave lost to Piedmont with a final score of 28-20. The game was competitive and came down to the final minutes, but a crucial interception by Piedmont ended Gordo's hopes for a state title.

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The game began slowly, with neither team's offense able to generate significant momentum. The first score did not occur until midway through the second quarter, when Gordo's senior quarterback, Ryder Robertson, completed a long, methodical drive with a 2-yard rushing touchdown. This put Gordo ahead 7-0, with six minutes remaining in the first half.

Piedmont answered back quickly with a score of their own on the very next drive, thanks to a one-yard touchdown run by the Bulldogs’ sophomore quarterback Cole Austin, who also went on to punch it in from two yards out again for the two-point conversion to put Piedmont ahead 8-7 with 2:59 left in the second quarter.

The Bulldogs were able to squeeze in a score shortly before the half ended with a blocked punt by Piedmont, setting its offense up at Gordo’s 30-yard line, where a few plays later the Bulldogs’ Senior wide receiver Rollie Pinto took it seven yards into the endzone, making the score 14-7 going into halftime after Piedmont’s two-point conversion was no good.

Gordo came out strong in the second half, opening the half with a 35-yard touchdown run from Ryder Robertson to give the senior quarterback his second rushing touchdown in this quarterfinal matchup, tying the game at 14 with 7:25 left in the third quarter.

Piedmont remained unfazed and, on their next drive, capped off a four-minute possession with a one-yard rushing touchdown by Austin. This marked the Bulldogs quarterback's second rushing touchdown of the night. He followed up by completing a two-yard pass to junior Chase Kirkpatrick for a successful two-point conversion, bringing the score to 22-14 with 3:08 left in the third quarter.

Gordo held possession for the majority of the fourth quarter as the Greenwave drove 65 yards down the field. The drive lasted over 10 minutes and culminated in a seven-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback McCain Robertson to junior linebacker and tight end Ford Hewitt. This made it a two-point game with 4:36 remaining in the fourth quarter. However, the Greenwave's attempt at a two-point conversion failed when Ryder Robertson was stopped just inches from the end zone.

The Greenwave’s defense was unable to stop Piedmont’s offense, with the Bulldogs coming away with another score, this one coming from a 45-yard rushing touchdown by Austin, which gave him his third touchdown of the ball game and put Piedmont back ahead by eight points following the unsuccessful two-point conversion with 3:25 left in regulation.

Gordo's offense made a final attempt to tie the game with one last drive. Unfortunately for the Greenwave, an interception on 4th and 11 ultimately sealed their fate and secured Piedmont's spot in the 3A AHSAA semi-finals, with a final score of 28-20. The Bulldogs then lined up in victory formation and took a knee to let the clock run out.

The Greenwave will conclude the season with a record of 10-2 in Chris Chambless's first year as Gordo's head football coach. Piedmont will remain undefeated at 13-0 and will face Mars Hill Bible next Friday, November 28.

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