With a slate of 10 games scheduled prior to the playoffs, the high school football season is a long one and as such, often how a team finishes is far more significant than how it starts.
As of late, that’s been the mantra of the Pierce Bears, who despite having a large quantity of unproven players in 2021 ended the season as the Northern Section Division IV runner-up.
A similar situation is brewing in 2022, as the new squad seeks to replace the 22 seniors lost to graduation and works toward returning to the championship game.
While this year’s squad may not have the depth of those in the recent past, Coach Anthony Tapia realizes that his team has unique talents, and that there is time for development.
“We are a work in progress,” said the fifth-year head coach. “We have speed and some guys that have put in the work in the weight room, but we also have some questions. We need more guys to step up, but that being said, I’m excited for the season because in reality, it’s a marathon, not a sprint.”
Directing the offense this year is sophomore Drew Burnum, who will make his varsity debut under center.
Despite being untested, Burnum’s transition will be made easier considering he has an exceptional support system in All-Sacramento Valley League fullback Manuel Lopez, Pierce’s leading rusher from a season ago.
Now a senior, Lopez accounted for 50 percent of the Bears’ rushing total in 2021, wracking up 1692 yards to average 130 per game, 6.5 yards per carry, eclipse the 100-yard mark nine times and also score 15 touchdowns.
Joining Lopez in the backfield is one of the fastest players on the squad in junior David Aguirre whose speed nicely complements Lopez’s power.
At tight end, senior Joey Saavedra and junior Roberto Ramirez will both see time, although Tapia says that Saavedra, whom he describes as a “jack-of-all trades” can and probably will, play wherever he is needed.
Another speedster suiting up for the Bears is senior wide out Sebastian Ambriz, a player Tapia feels may have been underutilized last year because should he get the ball in his hands with room to run, not many defenders are going to catch him.
Although last season, Pierce only threw for 423 yards due to the success of its run game, there could potentially be opportunities to exploit opposing defenses with the pass.
On the line, there is some competition for starting spots given that the Bears have just two returners, but will look to its center, senior Tony Colsa, to be the anchor.
Leading the defense will be linebackers Saavedra and Luke Myers, along with another versatile senior, Rudy Tapia, who is penciled in at safety but could play some at linebacker as well.
Last season the trio made significant contributions with Saavedra collecting 51 tackles and picking off a pair of passes, Myers tallying 58 tackles and two inceptions, and while Tapia pitching in with 44 tackles and two picks as well.
Providing motivation for the defense is senior Cristian Garcia, a player with a noquit mentality, and despite not be the biggest guy on the field, all heart and the epitome of Pierce pride.
Another place of uncertainty for the Bears is on the defensive line where they have huge holes created by the graduation of All-SVL performers Kaden Davis and Brandon Saavedra, who combined for 112 tackles, including 60 for losses and 20 sacks.
Still, Pierce has gone 17-9 in its past two full seasons and has shown a propensity for coming together and peaking at the right time, as one of the team’s captains, Joey Saavedra, alluded to.
“We lost some good players, but this team has some, too. We have heart, and we have talent,” Saavedra said. “We are also building chemistry, and that is the most important factor in being successful. You have to trust your teammates to do their job, and you need to do yours.”
It will definitely be a trial by fire for the 2022 Bears however as they open the preseason against five substantially competitive teams in Orland, Clear Lake, Williams, Piedmont, and Paradise before commencing SVL play against county rival Colusa.
While it seems that the road back to the championship game may not be an easy one, should Pierce stay true to form, getting stronger as the season progresses and keeping the ground game rolling, the Bears should find themselves in the hunt. ■