Pre-season No. i Pierce County gets opening week off
BEARVILLE — Pierce County will have two weeks to make corrections on both sides of the ball before opening the 2024 campaign.
The AA defending state champions kick the season off Friday, August 23 when Class A private school power Coosa Christian School of Gasden, Ala., visits.
PCHS looked impressive at times during its two games in the preseason against visiting Class 3A Groves The Bears’ offense scored nine touchdowns and a field goal for 66 points over the six quarters of varsity action. Meanwhile, the defensive unit did not allow a single point. Sixth-year head and at Class 5A Glynn Academy, coach Ryan Herring pointed to not being able to practice last Monday and Tuesday because of Hurricane Debby hampered the Bears, especially along the offensive front line.
“That’s the group (offensive line) it set behind more than anything else,” Herring said. “Those guys are almost all new except for Colson (Gambrell).
Missing those two practices hurt them, but they still played hard.
“We made some mistakes, but that’s expected because of the inexperience we have. They still haven’t played in a real game yet, so they’re not going be perfect. This is a work in progress.” Defensively, PCHS has allowed less than 100 yards rushing and 60 yards passing.
“There are some things we’ve (coaches) got to shore up,” said Herring. “We’re bending, but not breaking and that’s a positive.”
Herring plans to have four tough days of practice Monday through Thursday with Friday being a light day.
“We’ve got to try and get back the days we lost last week,” he said. “We’ve got to get back used to practicing in the heat. Friday may be a conditioning day with some lifting and running. I won’t make that decision until later in the week.
