BEARVILLE — Second-ranked Pierce County travels to Pooler for a rare Thursday night game this week against Class 4A New Hampstead at the Pooler Recreation Complex.
The unbeaten Bears (3-0) put their 11-quarter scoreless streak on the line against the Phoenix (1-3), who have dropped three straight since opening the season with a 14-6 road win at South Effingham.
“It’s going to be a tough game,” said PCHS head coach Ryan Herring. “They’ve (Phoenix) played a tough schedule and we’ve got to go to Savannah.”
PCHS has not surrendered a touchdown since the first period of the season opener against Coosa Christian School. The Bears have scored 106 consecutive points over the last 10 quarters in beating the Conquistadors 20-7, Brantley County 44-0 and Wayne County 42-0.
Thursday’s matchup is just the third between the two programs. Pierce County won 49-42 in 2019 and 48-7 last season with both games being contested in Bearville.
“We’ve (coaches) got to fast forward everything,” Herring said of quick turnaround in preparations. “We’ve got to do our normal Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday practices Monday and Tuesday because we’re losing a day of practice. We’ve also got to get a couple of guys healthy. “It’s going to be urgent to have great focus Monday and Tuesday. From the coaches I’ve talked to they (Phoenix) are not a bad team.” Since beating South Effingham in the opener, New Hampstead has fallen 28-12 to Savannah Christian, 23-20 to Effingham County and 38-14 to Richmond Hill averaging 15 points, down from the 34.5 at the same point last season.
Through those four games, the Phoenix spread attack has averaged 282.8 yards of offense with 124.3 on the ground and 158.5 through the air. “I don’t know if they (Phoenix) are throwing the ball as much as they did last year,” said Herring. “The quarterback (Eric Hockman) and receiver (Ben Hockman) are brothers and the nephews of the coach (Kyle Hockman). They seen to be a little more balanced this year with the run and the pass.
“Coach Hockman is a guy who creates who headaches for defensive coaches. He’s an offensive guru who has never seen a football play he doesn’t like.”
Eric Hockman is completing just 45 percent of his passes (42-of-94, interception) for 470 yards and four scores. Over the last two games he’s 28-of-67. Hockman was 14-of-30 for a season-best 188 yards vs. Richmond Hill. His longest pass completion is 23 yards.
Junior Christian Kinlaw (6-foot-2, 220 lbs.) is the featured running back with 485 yards on 72 attempts (6.7) and four touchdowns. He opened the season with 167 yards and two touchdowns vs. South Effingham, 125 yards against Savannah Christian, 153 yards and two scores vs. Effingham County before being slowed to 40 yards against Richmond Hill.
“They’ve (Phoenix) got a running back who’s really tough on film,” Herring said. “They’ve got three different receivers that can take the top off of coverage and a quarterback who can get the ball out and get it anywhere.
“We’ve got to keep them from having explosive plays.”
Senior Jamuari Williams has a teamhigh 160 yards on nine receptions (17.8) and a score. Kinlaw has a team-high 12 catches out of the backfield for 133 yards and a touchdown.
PCHS is surrendering a Class AA leading 2.3 points per game. The Bears have allowed just 79 rushing yards (26.3 per game) on 68 attempts (1.2 yards per). Opponents have completed just 17 passes (38%) for 287 yards (95.7 per game) and one score.
The New Hampstead 4-2-5 defense is much improved compared to last year when the Phoenix allowed 41.5 points for the season and 40 for the first four games. This season New Hampstead is surrendering a paltry 23.8.
Meanwhile the Bears’ offense enters averaging 35.3 points with back-to-back games of scoring 42 or more points. PCHS is averaging 335.3 yards per game with 236.7 (7.1 per attempt) from a potent ground attack and 98.7 through the air.
PCHS features the ground attack of quarterback Drake Dowling and Jae’Veon Williams, who each rushed for 117 yards or better in the victory over Wayne County. Dowling has recorded back-toback nights of 140 yards or better.
“Defensively, they have two big tackles,” Herring said. “They are a little better defensively than they were last year. They’ve got guys who can run out on the perimeter.
“We’ve got to be efficient and keep their offense off the field. Weve got to continue to improve. We’ve still got some guys playing banged up and get some who have missed playing time.”
Senior inside linebacker Austin Charles leads the team with 25 tackles. Sophomore Joshua Bey (5-10, 240) anchors the defensive front with 14 tackles and leads the team with two tackles for loss.
Senior free safety Jader Caldwell and junior defensive back Jalen Super are third on the team in tackles with 13. Senior defensive back Khamari Smart has 12 tackles and one TFL. Junior inside linebacker Briar Miller rounds out the double-digit tacklers with 11.
