BEARVILLE — Topranked Pierce County gets its second open week this season with this one originally on the 2024 schedule.
The Bears (6-0 overall, 1-0 Region 3-AA) returned to the field Friday night slugging regionmate Cook High 42-7 in the region opener for both teams.
That followed a cancellation of the last non-region tilt against Vidalia. A possible makeup date has not been worked out according to PCHS Athletic Director Brandon Jernigan.
The Indians’ athletic department wanted a Wednesday night date which Jernigan nixed. There is still a possible November 8 date with the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) extending the regular season one week.
GHSA reached the decision removing the open date at Thanksgiving from the playoff schedule.
Pierce County head coach Ryan Herring, who has led his program to a school-record 15 consecutive victories, will use the open date to focus on the Bears.
“This week is going to be about us and getting better on both sides of the ball,” the veteran coach said before beginning preparations for an October 18 date at Crisp County. “We will use the opportunity to get healthier as well.”
Herring gave his team Sunday off saying, “they earned it,” after beating up on the Hornets.
PCHS’s 6-0 start is its best since Herring’s first season in 2019. That was the second of two straight 10-0 regular seasons and third in school history (1982).
The defending 2A champion Bears have won 20 of their last 21 games dating to the start of last season. They’ve won 29 of their last 31 in region play since 2018 with both losses to Appling County. Pierce County enters the bye week averaging 37.5 points a game while allowing 7.0. During the 15-game winning streak, PCHS is scoring at a 37.4 clip while allowing 10.1.
The perennial playoff participant Cougars have struggled out of the gate going 1-5. Crisp County lost its first four games to current Top 10 teams in their respective classifications.
Current unbeaten AA No. 8 Sumter County (7-0) escaped 20-19 in the season opener, unbeaten No. 5 3A-A private Lovett (7-0) notched a 30-14 victory, No. 3 Class A DI Fitzgerald (6-1) recorded a 25-7 decision and No. 2 AAA Peach County (6-1) rolled 35-7.
Unranked AAA Dougherty (2-5) prevailed 21-14. The Cougars picked up their first win the last Friday in September beating Class A DI Swainsboro (1-5) 30-6.
No makeup date has been announced for last Friday’s road region opener at Tattnall County. The 0-5 start to the season was the first for Crisp County since 2005 when the Cougars started 0-7.
Pierce County’s rebuilt offensive line will get a tuneup this week. The Bears have averaged 381.8 yards per game thus far with 182.3 coming on the ground and 199.5 through the air.
Quarterback Caden McGatha has accounted for 1,923 yards and 28 touchdowns. He has 762 yards rushing (5.4 average) and nine scores (at least one each game) and thrown for 1,161 yards and 19 touchdowns completing 61 percent of his passes. He has thrown two interceptions in 113 pass attempts.
Ten receivers have at least one catch and six have at least one touchdown reception. Five receivers have 115 yards or more led by Joe Drews’ 22 catches for 322 yards. Nigel Brown has a team-high five touchdown receptions with Chance Williams and Drew having four each.
Defensively, PCHS has dominated enemy offenses. Opponents are averaging just 7.8 first downs a game, 70.7 yards rushing (2.8 avg.), 57.2 yards passing (40% completion) and 127.9 total yards.
Three foes have been held to 90 yards or less in total offense. Four have 90 yards or less rushing with three having 25 yards or less. The Bears have forced 1o turnovers with eight coming via interceptions.
Opponents are punting 4.7 times per game, are just 12-of-57 (21%) on third down plays and 4-of-13 (31%) on fourth down.
