BEARVILLE — Pierce County puts its No. 2 ranking and unbeaten mark on the line Friday night when the Bears travel to Adel for the Region 3-AA opener against Cook.
PCHS (6-0) faces its sternest road test of the season against the much-improved Hornets (4-2), who have matched their 2024 win total. “They are back playing the old Cook defense with speed and quickness,” said Bears head coach Ryan Herring. “Offensively, they run a lot of stuff. I think this will be the toughest game to win in the region.
“I’m not saying we can win any of them. I’m just saying I think this will be the toughest to win.”
Friday’s trip to Adel is the first for Pierce County since 2015 when the Sean Pender-led Bears posted a 41-14 victory ending a five-game losing streak. The Bears posted a 42-7 victory last year for their second straight win against Cook. Overall, PCHS trails the Hornets 10-5.
Pierce County piled up 476 yards off offense in last year’s matchup allowing the Hornets just 90 yards. Caden McGatha accounted for all six scores with one rushing touchdown and five passing touchdowns. The Bears nearly doubled Cook in time of possession owning a 31:55 to 16:05 advantage.
The Hornets return 19 starters from that 4-7 team. Cook opened the season with a 29-6 victory over Berrien, 22-6 over Bainbridge, and a 19-6 victory at Brooks County to enter the Top 10 poll.
Losses to Callaway (17-3) and Cairo (42-12) followed before Cook rebounded with a 38-0 win two weeks ago at Irwin County.
Cook enters the game averaging 20.5 points per game offensively and 232.7 yards of offense with 160.2 on the ground and 77.5 through the air with its wing-T flavored scheme.
“They (Hornets) don’t line up in the wing-T, but that’s what they’re running,” said Herring. “Their blocking schemes are wing-T blocking schemes. They’ll still mix in a stretch or an outside zone with it.”
The Hornets do have three games of 200-plus yards rushing finishing with 250 vs. Berrien, 200 vs. Bainbridge and a season- high 279 against Irwin County.
Cook managed just 74 total yards in the victory over Brooks County with 44 on the ground and 30 through the air.
“They (Hornets) like to run the ball,” said Herring. “They like to run buck sweeps and counters.
The Hornets’ ground game is led by freshman Dawson Davis (5-foot-11, 180 lbs.), who has accumulated 528 yards (4.9 average) and scored six touchdowns. He has recorded four 100-plus yard games with a best of 110 yards against Bainbridge and Irwin County. He managed 50 yards against Brooks County.
“He is a freak,” Herring said of Dawson. “He’s going to be a special running back. He’ll bend stuff back when it looks like he should have stayed with it and make something out of it. He’s a, he’s just a ninth grader, but he is a freak.”
Junior running backs Nigel Kenney (5-9, 175) and Markeise Miller (5-8, 165) combine for 10 carries and 52 yards per game. Kenney rushed for 111 yards against Berrien.
Junior quarterback Jayden Joiner (5-9, 180) has taken control of the offense. He’s completing 56 percent of his passes (40-of-71) for 404 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions.
“The quarterback is athletic, can run and throws well enough to beat you,” Herring said.
Senior M.J. Tippins (59, 165) is the most versatile athlete for Cook. He played quarterback last season, but has been moved back to wide receiver for his final campaign.
Tippins has 16 catches for 171 yards (10.7 average) and one score. He has caught at least two passes in every game.
“He is their best athlete,” said Herring. “He does a little bit everything for them. They’ll (offensive staff) will put him in there at the Wildcat. I mean, he’s a pretty, pretty good athlete.”
Cook’s offensive line is anchored by seniors Kyle Terrell (tackle; 6-3, 275), Tyler Terrell (center; 6-2, 220) and Eric Joyce (tackle; 6-2, 250).
Defensively, a year after surrendering 32 points a game the Hornets’ slant 50 scheme is allowing just shy of 13 points per Friday night. Cook has held four opponents to six points or less in its four wins.
“They’ll (Hornets) play a lot of games with their front and inside backers,” said Herring. “There’s a lot of movement in the box. They’re going to try to slant where they think the ball is going and they’ll try to bring a backer. They’re going to try to be a headache for you running the ball.”
The Hornets’ three leading tacklers from last year are back in junior linebacker Jabari Dawson (5-9, 190), junior linebacker Brayln Bennett (62, 215), and junior defensive end Carter Morrison (6-2, 185).
Senior placekicker/ punter Brooks Moore (6-1, 200) is rated as the nation’s No. 1 punter in the 2026 senior class.
PCHS vs. CHS Hornets lead 10-5 CHS PCHS 1988..........34 .............6 1989..........54 .............0 1990..........22 ............25 1990 ........# 49............0 1991 ..........20 ............19 1992 ...........6 ..............3 1993 ...........6..............21 2002 .........21.............24 2003 .........34 .............0 2008 .........19..............0 2009 .........27.............16 2011.........$ 43...........22 2014 ..........17 .............16 2015 ..........14.............41 2024...........7 .............42 # - Region 2-AA playoff $ - 1st Round state playoffs
