Streak of 96 consecutive weeks in poll ends
BEARVILLE — Pierce County enters the final two weeks of the regular looking in from outside the Top 10 rankings.
PCHS’s (7-1 overall, 1-1 Region 3-AA) 28-16 home loss to unranked Crisp County (3-6, 2-1) ended a streak of 96 consecutive weeks being ranked among the state’s best first in Class AAA and during the last four years in Class AA.
Schools with longer active streaks are Buford, Cartersville, Prince Avenue Christian, Lee County and Marist.
The Bears entered the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Class AAA poll Sunday, November 4, 2018 after beating Liberty County 29-26 to finish a 10-0 regular season under second-year head coach Jason Strickland.
They had appeared in every poll since until Sunday’s October 19 release after falling to the 21point underdog Cougars.
“They had everybody come back from last year,” said PCHS head coach Ryan Herring. “We played them last year and knew they were going to be tough.”
“This was my fault. I will take all the blame. There are little things that must go right in games like this (high stakes). The ball just didn’t bounce our way. I’ve been doing this for 27 years and a loss is just part of it.”
Following Saturday’s (October 18) day of treatments for injuries, PCHS was back Sunday looking at film in preparation for Friday’s trip to Reidsville to face Tattnall County (2-7, 0-3) in the Warriors’ season finale.
“We came in and got to work Sunday for Tattnall County,” said Herring. “It’s business as usual for us. It was a little bit quieter, because losing is something they are not used to. I didn’t expect them to come in happy.
“We’ve got to flush this last one and move on. It’s hard because these guys hate to lose.”
Friday’s matchup is the 20th consecutive year (2006-25) the two programs have faced off and 24th time since 1996. PCHS holds a 17-6 series lead which includes 14 straight over the Warriors.
During Pierce County’s win streak in the series, the Bears are averaging 45. 2 points while surrendering just 12.3 points.
They have scored 31 or more points in all 14 with eight games of 49 points or more. Tattnall County has scored a touchdown or less nine times with the 2018 matchup the last time the Warriors reached double figures.
PCHS and Tattnall County have faced three common opponents. Both teams have a win over Vidalia (21-0 Bears; 22-18 Warriors), a split with Cook (34-13 Bears; 31-21 loss by Warriors) and swept by Crisp County (28-16 loss by Bears; 35-3 loss by Warriors).
Tattnall County enters after falling 49-7 at Appling County last week. Pierce County closes out the regular season with the Pirates.
The Bears’ defense, which is allowing 9.7 points after surrendering a season-high 28 to Crisp County, matches up against a ole’ fashion straight-T offense scoring 16.7 points per game. Tattnall County’s seasonhigh came in the 31-point season-opening win at Claxton.
“You don’t see straight-T anymore,” Herring said. “It’s an old school offense. They (Warriors) do a good job running traps, some crossbuck and some sweeps and powers. They have a couple of good running backs.
“Their No. 6 (senior Trevon Rogers) is an able running back who looked good against Cook. They have a No. 5 (senior Jeremiah Beasley at the other halfback spot and No. 42 (sophomore Shyon Guest) is the fullback.
“They are going to run the ball to try and shorten the game. They trailed Toombs County 7-6 entering the fourth quarter. When they do throw the ball it’s play action and there are people wide open everywhere.”
The offensive scheme has Herring and his defensive coaches working extra to develop a game plan.
“Their splits on the line are real tight,” he said. “They run almost like a high trap. The fullback is real patient waiting for the guard to get across his trap. They run a long trap depending on what front they’re seeing. And the backs do a good job with their faking handoffs.
“You can’t see the ball. You’ll see people on film tackling the halfbacks who don’t have the ball because the fakes are good. They do a really good job behind the line of scrimmage with that.”
Pierce County’s offense, held to a season-low 16 points and 210 yards of total offense against Crisp County, will operate against a 50-scheme of the Warriors allowing 32.6 points per game and 300 yards of offense to opponents.
“I think their base is an odd front,” said Herring. “I think they want to be in a 50, but that could turn into a 60 in a heartbeat against us. They’ve got some good looking bodies out there.”
