PCHS defense records seven sacks, 13 TFLs
JESUP — Pierce County overcame a sluggish first quarter in their final tuneup before the 2026 season kicks off for keeps beating a rebuilding Wayne County program 28-0 in a three-quarter varsity scrimmage here Friday night at Jaycee Stadium.
The Bears’ junior varsity posted a 6-0 decision over the final 12 minutes.
As good as PCHS looked offensively in Brunswick a week earlier, the Yellow Jackets’ defense was in charge over Pierce County’s first three offensive possessions forcing a turnover and two punts. They allowed PCHS just 52 yards and two first downs.
“We did not do a good job of staying on blocks ... we just didn’t put our (blocking) rules into use at times,” said head coach Ryan Herring. “And, we didn’t stay on a couple blocks. There were several times when defenders, who were being blocked, slid off the block and made plays.
“I thought they (Yellow Jacket defenders) did a good job defensively early in the game. They outplayed us early and then we finally settled down a little bit and played a little better. Early, we just didn’t did stay on blocks.”
Pierce County’s defense played steady before locking down the Yellow Jackets’ offense. The Bears finished the game recording 13 negative plays totaling 65 yards in lost yardage. The total included seven sacks of Wayne County quarterback A.J. Bennett (14 carries, minus-18 yards).
During the third quarter, PCHS dropped the Yellow Jackets for losses on six of the first nine snaps covering three possessions. Wayne County finished with just 12 yards on 16 plays covering five possession.
Overall, the Bears allowed just 11 yards rushing on 27 attempts and 50 total yards (39 passing).
“We struggled a little bit in the first half,” Herring said. “We were missing tackles thinking people were going to tackle themselves. We were getting there and hoping the ball carrier would just fall down.
“We’ve got to finish with our hands. That’s something I think Ray Charles saw so we’ve got to work on tackling.”
Herring had praise for the Yellow Jackets’ program under the direction of new head coach Scott Roberts, who had returned Swainsboro to state prominence. The Class AA Tigers enter the season ranked second in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Pre-season Top 10 poll.
“My hat’s off to them,” said Herring. “I thought they did a good job defensively early in the game. Coach Roberts came here to build this program basically from scratch. They have some athletes ... it’s just going to take some time to change the culture.
“A lot of things went our way because of the fact they’re down allowing us to catch some breaks. From what I saw of us though, we’ve still got a ways to go and improve on.
“When we get a little tired, we can’t put it in neutral and I saw that a few times tonight. We’ve won a lot of games around here with tough kids who played when they’re tired, We’ve got to regain that mindset.”
Wayne County’s best offensive possession of the night consumed just over half of the opening period covering 6:04 of clock time. The Yellow Jackets moved from their own 25 down to the PCHS 18 before losing 17 yards on their next three snaps to go along with a penalty.
Wayne County never crossed its own 45 over its next seven possessions ending with six punts (four three-and-outs) and a turnover.
With the Yellow Jackets’ offense struggling, the PCHS offense finally started wearing down Wayne County’s defense.
It took the Bears a fourth possession to finally break through. PCHS moved 39 yards in five plays with Jae’Veon Williams (17 carries, 149 yards) capping the drive with an 11-yard run up the middle of the field with 5:44 left in the first half. Fleming Cochran drilled the PAT for a 7-0 lead.
Dylan Johnson’s 27yard punt return of a 28yard Wayne County punt set PCHS up at the Yellow Jackets’ 46 one series later.
Pierce County used up 3:17 of the final 3:24 in the half scoring on a Williams to Noah Delaney threeyard pass inside the front pylon along the Wayne County sideline. Cochran kicked the margin to 14-0 at intermission.
The Bears exploded for two scores in 1:57 of the third period pushing the lead out to 28-0 with 8:02 left in the varsity scrimmage.
With the Yellow Jacket defenders slow to return to the field following a stoppage in play following a punt on Wayne County’s first offensive series, Williams raced 30 yards untouched for the his second touchdown. Cochran’s PAT extended the lead to 21-0 at 9:59.
Three plays after the kickoff, linebacker Luke Stone scooped up a fumble after a pass completion and raced 30 yards to paydirt for the final touchdown. Cochran finished off the outburst with the PAT for a 28-point advantage.
A final touchdown was nullified when officials ruled Jake McClellan (seven carries, 71 yards) was stripped of the ball crossing the goal line at the end of a 45-yard sprint up the middle of the field with 4:05 on the clock.
The final 12 minutes consisted of play between the junior varsity programs. Colton McCook (seven carries, 91 yards) provided the lone touchdown with a 34-yard gallop off right tackle. His pass for the two-point conversion fell incomplete.
PCHS opens the season Friday night in Gadsden, Ala., against defending Class AA champion Coosa Christian, which enters riding a 13-game winning streak and a new head coach after legendary head coach Rush Propst departed.
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