BEARVILLE — Pierce County closes out its 2024 regular season home schedule Friday night when the Bears host Region 3-AA foe Tattnall County on Senior Night.
PCHS (7-0 overall, 20 region) puts its school-record 16-game winning streak on the line against the Warriors (1-6, 0-2), who have lost six straight since a season-opening win at home vs. Class A DII Claxton.
The Class of 2025 is the fifth straight graduating class to surpass the 40-win plateau currently sporting a 43-6 record with a state championship (2023), semifinal appearance (2021) and quarterfinal appearance (2022). The Class of 2025 is 26-3 at home, second to the Class of 2024 at 31-3.
Last year’s senior members set the standard posting a 49-8 record, followed by the Class of 2022 with a 48-6 won-loss mark. The Class of 2023 finished 46-7 while the Class of 2021 went 42-9 becoming the first senior class to reach 40 wins.
Friday’s encounter with Tattnall County is the 23rd in the series since 1996. The Warriors and PCHS have met every year since 2006 with the Bears having won 13 straight matchups to take a 16-6 series lead.
Since losing three straight from 2008-10, Pierce County has outscored the Warriors 595165 or by an average score of 45.8 to 12.7 during the last 13 encounters.
PCHS has scored at least 31 points in each win reaching 40+ points four times, 50+ points three times and 60+ points once.
Defensively, the Bears have held Tattnall County to a touchdown or less eight times including five straight games during the winning streak.
The two teams have one common opponent with that being region member Cook. The Hornets doubled up Tattnall County 42-21 while PCHS posted a 42-7 win over Cook.
“The biggest thing for us this week is looking at the Crisp County tape and showing the players where we need to improve this week,” said head coach Ryan Herring. “We’ve got to continue to get better on both sides of the ball and our focus has to be getting better on both sides of the ball. You want to be playing your best football in November.”
PCHS must also avoid a “trap game” with rival Appling County next on the schedule. The eighthranked Pirates (5-2, 2-0) handled Tattnall County 42-7 last week after opening region play with a 24-7 victory at home vs. Crisp County.
The Bears’ high-powered offense, which comes in averaging 37 points and 371.3 yards per game, will match up against a Tattnall County defense surrendering 33.6 points per game.
“They (Warriors) utilize a 50 scheme,” said Herring. “They have some goodlooking players. We’re going to do what we do in the ‘Big Bear’ and with our spread and make adjustments as to what wrinkles they (coaches) put in. We’ll probably see some man coverage against our receivers.”
Tattnall County’s wing-T offense comes in averaging just 11.9 points while the Bears counter with Class 2A’s second-stingiest scoring defense at 6.9 points per game. The Warriors have scored nine points or less in five of their seven games.
Senior T.J. Fleming (5foot-11, 155 lbs.) directs the offense. Junior fullback D.J. Ryals (6-foot, 200) and classmate Trevon Rogers form the backfield. Senior wide receiver Cam Davis (6foot, 170) is dangerous on the outside.
“They (coaches) do a good job of giving you neat formations to try and cause confusion,” Herring said of the offensive scheme. “They will have a two tight end package, which is a headache for defensive coaches, and give you one tight end. We’re going to get belly plays and leads.
“It’s a basic wing-T with a lot of smoke and mirror where they just try to outflank you. The key for us is getting lined up right and recognizing our keys. We’ve got to get downhill and squeeze down.”
