For Dameon Pierce, the dream is similar to that of many football players during their formative years.
“The NFL,” Pierce said. “It’s been my dream since I was little. I’d love the chance to play on the biggest stage.”
The sophomore sensation is well on his way to accomplishing that dream; after only his second year playing with the Bainbridge Bearcats (Bainbridge, Georgia), he has already earned attention from the Florida State Seminoles, the Auburn Tigers, and the Miami Hurricanes. Two of the institutions (FSU and Auburn) have already laid offers on the table for the young star.
“It’s by far the biggest accomplishment of my life to this point,” Pierce said. “My family has instilled a strong value of education, and to already have the opportunity to go to college as well as keep playing the sport I love is tremendous.”
On August 28, 2015, the Region 1-AAAA Bainbridge Bearcats took the field in their season-opening home matchup against the Early County Bobcats (Blakely, Georgia). As would become somewhat of a standard for the year, the home team dominated the contest to the tune of a 42-13 victory.
Leading the way in the dominant opening win was Pierce; he finished the evening with quite an impressive performance. On only 13 carries, he tallied 113 yards and three touchdowns. He also added two receptions totaling 40 yards.
While his output was a sight to see, it would prove to be just the beginning of a season for the ages. The game against the Bobcats would be the first of 11 games on the year in which Pierce broke the 100-yard mark. In fact, in three of his 2015 efforts, he would hang over 200 yards on the opposing defense, including a season-high 265 yards against Crisp County. He finished the year with a grand total of 308 carries resulting in 2,060 yards and 33 trips to the end zone. His numbers were increased by another 148 yards on 13 receptions and two kickoff returns for 108 yards.
For some, the season may come as something of legend. But for his teammates and the Bearcat faithful, the numbers only continue the story that began when Pierce stepped onto Centennial field as a freshman in 2014. That year, he racked up a team-high 910 rushing yards on 164 carries (5.5 yards per carry). Four of his games took him over the 100-yard rushing mark, and he tacked on seven touchdowns for good measure.
Born and raised in Bainbridge, young Pierce began tearing up the gridiron at the age of 8. And from the beginning, it has been the same focus: He is a running back. Through and through.
“It’s all about playing running back for me,” Pierce said. “I’ve always been a running back. It was my first position, and it’s going to be my last. It’s what I love to do.”
Looking throughout his family, his athletic success should not come as a surprise. His father, Dontate Rogers, was a former athlete during his high school years, and both his older brother and younger sister are carving their own paths.
“My dad played right down the street, in Seminole County (Donalsonville, Georgia),” Pierce said. “My brother, Tavarius, played football for a year and basketball for four, and my sister, Myteria, is a basketball player. She’s working her way into the middle school program right now.”
But while the athleticism runs deep in the family, Pierce’s inspiration and drive come from the one that started it all: his mother, Shameeka Rogers.
“I started playing at the YMCA; my mom said I needed to get out of the house,” Pierce said with a laugh. “But it was all her. She’s pushed me, supported me, and always been there.”
As with Pierce’s stellar 2015 campaign, the rest of the season would follow suit for the team as a whole. In fact, the Bearcats remained undefeated in all games played on Centennial Field in Bainbridge. Road results would prove to be the same. A 14-6 defeat of the Cairo Syrupmakers on Nov. 6 capped off a perfect regular season (10-0) and brought the 2015 Region 1-AAAA Championship back to Bainbridge.
The region champs charged into the postseason with the same killer instinct, disposing of Griffin (35-7), Sandy Creek (14-7 in overtime), and St. Pius X (18-17) en route to the school’s first ever semifinal appearance. Unfortunately, the team’s title hopes, as well as their previously undefeated season, would come to an end as a result of a 38-7 loss to the Cartersville Hurricanes (Cartersville, Georgia).
The Bearcats set out to make their presence felt in Class AAAA during the 2015 season, and, by December, the rest of Georgia was put on full notice. Bainbridge finished the year with an undefeated regular season, and their final standing of 13-1 (.929) now sits as the best statistical season in school history.
“That semifinal trip, we made history,” Pierce said. “It’s an honor to be a part of that. This team is one big family. We’re all about doing this together. Bainbridge is a small community, and the love is irreplaceable. We want to succeed for everyone here.”
With Pierce’s outstanding season in the books, it is only fitting that the Bearcats’ star receive adequate recognition for his efforts. Along with being named the Region 1-AAAA Player of the Year, he was also named to the All-State Team by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Associated Press, and the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association. To top off his list of milestones, he was one of 30 players in the nation to be named to the MaxPreps Sophomore All-American First Team.
With offers on the table from Florida State and Auburn, as well as interest from Miami, it is only a matter of time before we see Pierce on the Division I stage. Set to graduate in 2018, his decision has not been made as far as college, although he has made multiple visits to Auburn and FSU. He does know, however, that he would like to remain around the sport once his playing days are over, and he is likely to choose a major that would allow him to do so.
“I try not to let the recruiting process take my mind away from what I want to do here (at Bainbridge High),” Pierce said. “I try not to think about it, especially during the season. I just focus on getting out there and playing to the best of my ability. I just want to keep working hard and staying motivated as a team so that next season we can come out on top.”
As his path to stardom continues to lay itself out, Pierce keeps the same humble attitude and spirit that have managed to bring him this far. He gives credit to his Savior and to the love and support of the local community. But most of all, he gives his love and appreciation to his family, especially his number one fan.
“My mom has sacrificed so much for this family to get to where we are,” Pierce said. “She’s the reason I’m in this position today. She taught me all about respect, about morals. I just want to do my job of living daily as a testament to her love and support.”
Sidebar: During the offseason, Pierce also competes for the Bearcats’ track team. He regularly runs in the 100-meters and 4×100. “Track helps me stay in shape,” Pierce said. “I need that conditioning for football season.”
Sidebar 2: Through all the success that Dameon has seen in his life, he still remains incredibly humble and thankful. “My parents have always taught me the importance of keeping God first in everything that I do,” Pierce said. “They’ve instilled in me that, no matter where I end up for college, it’s all about the education first. And most of all, my parents have taught me the value of respect. Everyone deserves respect.”
Sidebar 3: Even through all of the major accomplishments that Pierce has already added to his resume, perhaps the most recognizable comes from outside of the game. “Football makes me a better man, a better person,” Pierce said. “I’ve learned a lot of things on the field, as well as from my coaches and teammates, that can apply to so many other life situations.”
In the Game/May 2016
Dameon Pierce
Bainbridge High School
Bainbridge, Georgia
By James Washington
