FIELD OF CHAMPIONS — At even the highest levels, football is defined by imperfection, inconsistency, and occasional failure. The tenuous difference between a win and a loss often manifests itself in the form of two words: “what if.”

Piedmont's state semifinal loss to Hamilton was no exception.

At first, Piedmont couldn't be stopped. After the Bulldogs held the Aggies to three plays and a punt on the game's first possession, Mookie Jackson scampered 39 yards off right tackle for an early score. His touchdown capped a six-play, 72-yard drive. After junior Chris Strott's extra point, Piedmont faithful rejoiced at the 7-0 Bulldog lead.

After again holding Hamilton, Piedmont's next drive entered Aggie territory before an untimely penalty stopped it in its tracks, leaving fans to ponder the night's first “what if.”

What if the Bulldogs hadn't incurred a false start penalty on a critical third down? On the play, junior Chris Strott's 16-yard run would have granted Piedmont a new set of downs inside the Hamilton 20. After the mark off, though, the Bulldogs failed to convert and were forced to punt.

After alternating possessions highlighted by Bulldog senior Coltin Allison's interception and an Aggie midfield defensive stand, the trend of hard-fought yards was bucked by a Hamilton big play. Aggie senior Steven Stewart rushed off right end for a 76-yard touchdown, but he had to clear Bulldog traffic before breaking free.

What if the first Piedmont defender to make contact with Stewart had been able to hold on? The Bulldogs could have held a touchdown advantage with the chance to pad their lead on their next possession. Piedmont would indeed drive the next time they had the ball, but the results only led to more hypotheticals.

On a third down and 8, Jackson had picked up 15 yards down to the Aggie 27 before many fans spotted the official's yellow flag lying on the ground in the senior's path.

What if the official had not spied the infraction? Without having to gain many more yards, the Bulldogs could've posted a field goal or touchdown advantage going into the locker room. Instead, when the halftime horn interrupted the frigidly cold November night, the 'Dogs held a slim 7-6 lead.

Piedmont began the second half with a quick first down before Hamilton senior Daniel Shaw's interception return for a touchdown gave Hamilton a 14-7 lead.

What if the Bulldog junior receiver Sloan Garner had been able to get just one finger on the errant pass? At minimum, Piedmont could have maintained the lead without yielding such an easy score in such a hard-fought, high-stakes contest. Before Piedmont fans could ponder the ramifications, another “what if” moment reared its head on the Bulldog's next possession.

What if Strott's underthrown third-quarter pass had been able to connect with a completely wide-open junior receiver Jamie Major? The certain touchdown and probable point-after would have tied the score at 14-14. Instead, Hamilton notched a Stewart score on their next possession, stretching the margin to 21-7.

Down by two scores just into the fourth quarter, Piedmont's offense finally began to jell, and they appeared to have connected on a big pass play. But receiver Noah Willis was ruled out of bounds.

What if the senior's toes had touched down inches to the left, continuing the Bulldog drive?

It turns out that Piedmont would indeed turn their next two possessions into touchdowns. With the final Hamilton margin being six points, a toe-length literally could have been the difference in the game.

Piedmont's last touchdown coming with a scant 33 seconds remaining in the game, tightening the Aggie lead to 27-21. The Bulldogs then attempted an onsides kick. It failed, and undefeated Hamilton advanced to the title game.

On the way to the 2009 state title, Piedmont handed Hamilton its last loss in a 63-35 shootout in the state quarterfinals — a fact not lost on the Aggie faithful. A prominent sign unveiled Friday read “63-35” on one side and “Not Tonight” on the other.

“I've been a head coach for 16 years now. I've never had a team that accomplished more from the spring ball game to the end of the season than this bunch,” said Piedmont coach Steve Smith. “I can't say enough good things about our kids and the way they made themselves into one of the final four teams in the state, a play or two away from being in the state championship game.”

Hamilton (14-0) will travel to Auburn's Jordan-Hare Stadium Thursday to play top-ranked ranked Leeds (14-0) for the Class 3A championship.

Piedmont (12-2) and its fans are left to wonder “what if.”