We tell you everything you need to know about the 2022 Pierce County football team in this preview. We take a look at roster changes and what fans can expect from the team this season.
2021 Stats
- Overall Record: 11-3
- Points Scored: 424
- Points Against: 122
Key Losses
The Bears enter the 2022 season without the services of two key linemen, Ty Everson and Ty Little. Everson is a 6-foot-3, 215-pound lineman who is headed to the Naval Academy to play for the Midshipmen. Everson was a sack machine, ending his Pierce County career with 13 quarterback takedowns. They were a part of his overall 120 total tackles and 32 TFL. He was also one of the Bears’ most efficient receivers, coming up with two TDs on just four catches.
The other Ty – Ty Little – is an OL/DL who had 84 tackles and six sacks during his time in Blackshear. Daytin Baker was an interception machine at free safety and now is headed to Albany State University, where the Rams await his takeaway skills. He had 13 picks during his high school career, plus four fumble recoveries. He also racked up 121 tackles with two sacks, and on offense he had 83 rushes for 533 yards and six TDs, and another three receiving TDs. Brothers Donelius and Danarius Johnson are headed to Kennesaw State University.
Who’s Back
Returning to the Bears this season is one of the most dynamic football players in high school football today: DJ Bell, who is listed as the team’s QB. He sort of is because he takes every snap, but he’s more likely to take it and find a hole to run through than to pass it. Back for his senior season, Bell has 462 carries and 3,474 rushing yards with 47 rushing TDs. With passing, kickoff return, and punt return yards included, Bell has 4,284 all-purpose yards so far at Pierce County.
He will have a massive body to run behind in 2022 with the return of 6-foot-3, 265-pound center Henry Peagler. Junior Elijah Howard will also pave the way up front, and he’ll see time on the defensive line as well. So far he has 27 tackles, including six TFL and a sack.
Senior kicker Jonah Alen will return to give Coach Ryan Herring options when the offense moves close to the goal line. Last season, his first as the team’s kicker, he booted six of 11 FG attempts, with his longest coming from 52 yards. He is just about automatic on extra points, converting 50 of 53 attempts last season.
Senior WR/DB Jacquez White will be back, and as a defender he has been very good, snatching five INT while making 50 tackles. He has three rushing TDs so far in his career at Pierce, and he took one of his two kickoff returns for a touchdown.
What to Expect
No reason to expect these Bears to do anything but keep winning. Herring is one of the best-kept coaching secrets in the state, but it won’t stay that way for long. With a state championship two seasons ago under his belt, and a near miss last season, you can expect him to have Pierce County right back in the mix again this year.
This team has a lot of returning talent, and with DJ Bell taking every offensive snap, he may be the most dangerous offensive playmaker in the state. Add in the fact that Pierce County moves down to 2A this year, and it could mean another exciting season for the folks in Blackshear.
Prediction
A state championship is quite possible. Yes, I said it. 13-2 and the Bears make it two titles in the last three years under Herring.
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