Pierce County Bears Start Their Season With Two Impressive Wins

You may want to start paying attention to Pierce County, as the Bears are rolling.

For a team that is 23-2 over the last two seasons, it’s no surprise that they’re a great football team. What is surprising is how they’ve dominated their first two games. The 3A football program is 2-0 through two weeks and has beaten teams above their weight class. Their opening win was thumping 6A program Brunswick by a score of 31-10. They followed that up by blanking 5A Wayne County 14-0.

Both teams that Pierce County played entered the season with high expectations for success, and both times the Bears brought their claws in shutting them down. It starts on the defensive end for head coach Ryan Herring and his club. They’re fast, they’re physical, and they’ll force you into a lot of mistakes.

Through two games, Pierce County has stifled opponents by getting eight sacks and forcing four turnovers. Both the Pirates and the Yellow Jackets struggled to move the ball on this defense, and they have a star in linebacker Austin Jernigan.

Jernigan is second on the team with 17 tackles, he has 1.5 sacks, plus he also has an interception. His brother enrolled at Auburn as an offensive lineman, but he’s making a name in his own right. Jernigan is the leader of this defense.

Offensively, the team brings back a lot of talent. They’re smart, take care of the football, and have a budding star of their own. That’s sophomore D.J. Bell. Bell took over at running back for the Bears and has dominated through two weeks, especially in Week 2 with 127 yards and a touchdown in the win over Wayne County.

This team is deep and talented and has to feel disappointed by their second-round exit last season, especially after making the semifinals in 2018. With a smart offense and physical defense, the Bears could be playing for a state championship.

Written by: Kyle Grondin