RIDING ‘THE BUS’ TO NEW HEIGHTS
Punishing runs of Washington-Pearce power resurgent Kempsville
VIRGINIA BEACH — NaiQuan Washington-Pearce was raised to be a linebacker, just like his father.
Danual Pearce was a man-child who dominated opposing players. He started on the Norview High varsity team as a freshman, and as a junior was a first-team All-Tidewater selection and Eastern District Player Defensive Player of the Year. He transferred to Atlantic Shores as a senior and earned All-Tidewater honors.
“He was a beast,” Washington-Pearce said about his father. “I’d probably be scared of him if I was on the other team.”
But Danual has preached to his son to make his own name.
“He hears it a lot [about me] when I’m around my friends,” the elder Pearce said. “They always talk about my high school playing days. Like I always tell him, I want him to make his own path, make his own name.”
Washington-Pearce, a 5-foot-9, 235-pound running back at Kempsville High in Virginia Beach, is doing just that. Through five games, he has rushed for 771 yards and nine touchdowns for a resurgent Chiefs team (4-1) that is thinking playoffs.
Kempsville, ranked No. 5 in Hampton Roads and coming off a bye last week, hasn’t finished with a winning record since 2009 and hasn’t won a playoff game since 1994. And during one dismal stretch from 2014-18, the Chiefs lost 63 consecutive games.
But things are much different these days.
“When I first came here as a freshman, I knew they were losing games, but I didn’t know they were on a losing streak like that,” Washington-Pearce said. “It was definitely shocking.”
The Chiefs finally snapped the losing streak in 2019.
“When we broke it my freshman year, it really opened eyes,” Washington-Pearce said. “After that, we’ve been just building and grinding. It’s just really good to know that all of our hard work for the last three years has really paid off.
“It’s a very satisfying feeling, but we’re nowhere near done. Watch out for the Chiefs. We’re going farther than everyone thinks.”
Much of the team’s
success has been because of Washington-Pearce’s punishing running style, which earned him a nickname.
“We call him ‘the Bus,’ like Jerome Bettis,” Kempsville coach Darryl Cherry said, referring to the Pro Football Hall of Fame running back and former Pittsburgh Steeler.
“That was the first thing that came to the guys’ mind because he just runs hard.”
Washington-Pearce’s breakout game came against Beach District leader Green Run in the second game of the season.
“We needed a physical presence to run the ball against Green Run,” Cherry said. “He took it and ran for more than 200 yards. We just tried to keep the ball in his hands.”
And they haven’t stopped, to Washington-Pearce’s delight.
“To be honest, I didn’t expect to have as big a season as I’m having right now,” he said. “But it’s been a blessing.
“It’s definitely given me a lot of confidence. I’ve realized my potential, so I’m putting it to full use right now.”
Washington-Pearce knows he’s only as good as his offensive line, nicknamed “The Trench Mob.” The group includes Jaylon White, Karlos Isler, Makai Bacon, Shaun Sanders Jr., Michael Tamakloe, Darius Carney and Elijah Munden.
Cherry said Washington-Pearce and the line complement one another.
“It’s just clicking between him and the offensive line,” Cherry said. “We really worked hard this offseason with the offensive line to get them going and get them ready to go because I knew that was going to be our strength.
“I knew we needed a physical presence behind that line, and he just took it in stride. It doesn’t take much to get him going. I’m extremely proud of the line and his play.”
Washington-Pearce said he remembers when he and his dad used to watch highlights of his dad playing on Friday nights. Now they spend Friday nights watching his highlights.
“It’s one of the best feelings in the world,” the elder Pearce said about his son, who has a 3.6 grade-point average. “All the hard work he’s put into it, all the blood, sweat and tears, it’s just amazing to watch. I’m just proud to be his father.”