The San Francisco 49ers Charlie Wedemeyer Memorial Coach of the Week award for week six goes to Matthew Kiesle from Piedmont Hills High School in San Jose, CA.
Piedmont Hills High School traveled to conference rival Willow Glen High School to take on the Rams in a Thursday Night football matchup. The Piedmont Hills Pirates' tempo took over the game and led them to victory, defeating Willow Glen 34-12.
This was an important game for the Pirates, and they knew securing a win was crucial to maintain pace with league play. The Pirates were fresh off a tough league loss the week prior, falling to Live Oak High School 21-18. This win puts Piedmont Hills back at five-hundred in the Mount Hamilton Division.
"We really wanted to get going with this one. I think it was really important to get that first league win. It took us a quarter, but we started getting into our tempo and got going, and that busted the game open," said Pirates Head Coach Matt Kiesle.
The Pirates got down early 7-0 but despite letting up early, they were in control of the game from the second quarter. The high-tempo offense found its groove, and it was cruise control from there. It was 20-7 Pirates at halftime.
Piedmont Hills put up 34 unanswered points, with Willow Glen's second touchdown coming late in the fourth quarter. Kiesle's Pirates put together a well-executed, 90-yard drive that took about one minute and 30 seconds. They marched down the field in eight plays and capped it off with a score. The no-huddle, quick tempo, spread offense is what Piedmont has always done best and exactly what they needed to get back to, and this drive was the epitome of that game plan.
"We're a tempo team, and we picked up the tempo this week. Our defense also played extremely well," said Coach Kiesle.
Other than giving up the early touchdown, the Pirates defense kept the Rams off the board for the remainder of the game until the very end of the fourth quarter.
This matchup is always extra special for head coach Matt Kiesle. The longtime Pirates' coach was actually a Ram himself back in the day and is a Willow Glen alumnus.
"I always love going there to play. Though there was no turf field or lights back when I played, it's always nice to go back and beat them. It's a neat deal," said the Willow Glen graduate.
Though a Ram back in the day, Matt Kiesle is now a Pirate for life. Kiesle has been at Piedmont Hills High School for 30 years now. This is the longtime coach's 19th season as head coach, and he won't be going anywhere anytime soon.
"I'm going to retire being at one place my entire career. It's pretty cool. It's definitely special," said Coach.
Kiesle is more than football at Piedmont. The seasoned football coach is also a teacher at the high school. This will be Kiesle's 20th school year teaching at Piedmont. He started his teaching career as a special education teacher. After about 14 years in special education he transitioned to physical education, and it's been PE ever since.
As our Coach of the Week, Matthew Kiesle will receive a $1,000 grant for the Piedmont Hills High School football program from the 49ers Foundation. As part of this award, he will also receive two tickets to a 49ers home game where he will be recognized on the field. The week prior to the game, Coach Kiesle will be invited to the visit the SAP Performance Facility to watch a closed practice where 49ers head coach Chip Kelly will officially present him with his award. Coach Kiesle will also be featured on Cal-Hi Sports during their programming this weekend.
Congratulations, Coach Kiesle, and thank you for all you continue to do for the high school community!
