BLACKSHEAR, Ga. — Pierce County wrapped up the high school football regular season Thursday night, with the Bears poised to defend their GHSA 2A state title and claim their third championship since 2020.
"Mindset's got to be hard work every day,” head coach Ryan Herring said. “Expect to work every day and expect to win on Friday nights. You may not win every Friday night, but you expect to if you put in the work. So, if we always work hard, and we've got character and the kids care about each other, we're always going to have a chance."
Herring’s focus on discipline and unity brought Pierce County its first-ever football state title in his second season with the program in 2020, a landmark moment that set a new standard for the Bears.
"Luck’s a big part of it," Herring noted. "I wouldn't dare say we've won two because we were just better. You’ve got to be healthy late in the year, and you’ve got to be together."
At Pierce County games, the scoreboard showcases a slideshow of former Bears who advanced to the next level, including national champion Stetson Bennett. However, current quarterback Caden McGatha says the team’s success lies less in individual accolades and more in the team’s tight-knit bond.
“Just to play with each other, love on each other, and believe in what our coaches do,” McGatha said. “Our coaches spend so much time on us, and we just continue to learn and play for each other.”
Herring echoed that sentiment. "We're not overly talented in many spots, but we got big hearts. We don't have big kids, but we got big hearts, and that's what matters in high school football."
For Herring, the Bears’ success is as much about community support as it is about performance on the field.
“It’s big here because we’ve got a booster club president who works year-round and works harder than I do to get support, financially and otherwise,” Herring said. “So, it means a lot. I won’t say it means everything because our motto here is Jesus, Family, and Football. So, we want it to be third on the priority list."
With a 9-1 finish to the regular season, Pierce County is looking to make another deep playoff run with hopes of bringing home another state championship.