For Vols all over field
It’s hard to accept a loss for any competitor, but there was a reason spirits were relatively high for Brody Pierce, head coach Chase Nicholson and many of the Starkville Academy players last Friday night.
The season before ended with a loss in the state championship, but the Volunteers held their head high because of the journey and hard work that got them there. The same could be said about last Friday night’s game against Lamar Academy as the Vols lost a 21-7 lead late in the game and lost in overtime 33-30.
It was not for lack of effort from players like Pierce. He caused three turnovers in the game on defense and even ran in on offense on the final drive to keep things alive and ultimately gave Starkville Academy a lead back. His play-making earned him OCH Regional
Medical Center Athlete of the Week honors.
“It’s what a senior leader is supposed to do,” Nicholson said of Pierce and the rest of the seniors. “They’re supposed to come in the game, make plays and that’s what we expect of them. You can look across the field and all of the seniors played their butts off and were making plays. There were a lot of guys doing a lot of great things.”
In the game, Pierce intercepted a pass on the second defensive possession after the offense tied the game at 7-7 and it led to a major momentum shift in the game. He came back on that next possession defensively and chased a receiver down to the 1-yard-line knocking the football free and giving it back to the Vols. Once again in the first half, Pierce made a tackle in the open field to create another fumble that Starkville Academy recovered.
It seemed every possession that Pierce was getting the job done for the Vols and when the team was struggling with fatigue and cramps late, he was back on the field in the final minutes on offense.
Pierce told Nicholson on the sideline he was ready for a big play and on third down and long, he made a 30-yard reception for a first down that kept the drive alive and led to a touchdown to give Starkville Academy the lead back with over 1 minute left.
“When you make big plays, it gives the team energy and that’s what we always talk about,” Pierce said. “We did well in the first half. We just couldn’t hold on there at the end.”
In the past, Pierce has been known for his ability as a kicker and punter, but this season he’s showing more than ever that he can do it all. The first game was just the start of what Nicholson hopes is a special year for the athlete.
If more players follow suit on the defensive side of the ball, then Brad Butler’s unit will be right back where it always seems to be – among the best in the state.
“Brody did a great job and is always going to do a great job,” Nicholson said. “We know that we can lean on him because he’s a great athlete and a great leader. He came through for us several time.”