ARBUCKLE, CA (MPG) – For the past three seasons, the Bears have finished with a cumulative 12-5 record in Sacramento Valley League play, but come playoff time, found themselves competing against much larger schools in the Northern Section’s Division III and perhaps missing out on a chance for a Division IV championship.
However, this year Pierce finds itself back where it rightfully belongs in Division IV and is ready to mix it up with the top teams.
Still, the benefits of having played teams like Gridley, Orland and Lassen should prove valuable as head coach Anthony Tapia explained, “That experience will be crucial moving forward. A lot would have had to go right for us to have a chance of winning in D3, just because of how tough those top schools have been. I’m really proud that we got two home playoff games in that three-year span though. We will try and carry that out in D4 and play for home field advantage in the playoffs. We have yet to host a section final game in my tenure, so we’ll be looking to make that happen.”
Perhaps making pursuit of that goal somewhat easier is that the Bears are one of the few Sacramento Valley League teams that has a returning quarterback.
As a junior last season, Austin Jorge played nine games for Pierce, completing 92 passes for 561 yards and eight touchdowns in addition to rushing for 391 yards on 76 carries and scoring 10 times before having to sit out the final two games due to injury.
Now back to full strength, Jorge is looking forward to his final season and believes that the team is shaping up nicely.
“I feel great and am a whole lot more confident this season since last year was really my first time playing the position. I definitely learned a lot of things that will help me this year,” said Jorge. “As for the team, we have strong chemistry. We really lift each other up.”
For his part, Tapia is pleased to have Jorge back as the primary decision-maker saying, “We are very excited that Austin is returning. It’s not often you get a talent like him. He opens up our offense quite a bit, so we are excited about his versatility. If he can stay healthy, we’ll be playing football for a while this year.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Should Jorge decide to air it out, targets will consist of seniors Colin Dye and Devin Garcia along with sophomore Kasius Nunley, who has speed to burn.
Both Dye and Garcia proved effective in 2025 combining for 207 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
Another strength this season will be the line, which despite losing key components to graduation, have five more seniors on which they will depend, including Joel Haro, Chase Friel, Mike Alcaraz, Santi Duarte and Yuba City transfer Javier Salguero Delgado.
Haro, a right guard, is satisfied with the way the group is coming together commenting that, “Although we have a few new guys, we work well together and will do as much as possible to get the job done.”
Yet, the news hasn’t all been good for the Bears this offseason, given that running back Tony Camberos tore his meniscus and fractured his knee on his first carry at their team camp in McKinleyville earlier this summer.
As a result, Pierce will turn to senior Timmy Vega along with sophomore Ben Sweet.
Last year the Bears moved the ball well, rolling up 2644 total yards of offense, but with runs accounting for 77 percent of the plays, they may look for a bit more balance on the attack.
Defensively, Pierce is making some adjustments to their 3-3 stack and is hoping to reap the rewards as a result.
Three seniors anchor the line including Tristan Ojeda, Arath Garcia and Juan Lopez, while Sweet and senior Alfredo Huerta will figure prominently as linebackers.
Yet the secondary, with its core comprised of Jorge and Dye along with Vega and sophomore Kashius Nunley may prove to be the greatest asset due to its sheer athleticism.
Last season, Dye was third in the Northern Section with six picks, while Jorge had four.
Having lost 19 seniors off the 2025 squad, Tapia says that the current group may not have the depth it had last year but he sees a camaraderie that he feels has created a common goal which ultimately will translate to good things on the field of play.
If the Bears can avoid injury and develop as planned, look for them to be in the hunt for an SVL championship and make a strong run in the playoffs.
PIERCE BEARS
Sacramento Valley League
2025-26 record: 10-2 Overall, 5-1 League
Playoffs: Lost to Gridley in 2nd round of NSCIF D3 playoffs
Offense: Gun-T
Defense: 3-3-5
Facility: Gregg LeMaster Field
Head coach: Anthony Tapia, 10th season (55-33)
Assistant coaches: Chris Tapia, Austin Bedart
2026-27 Schedule
Aug. 8 @Middletown
Sept. 4 Gridley
Sept. 11 Orland
Sept. 18 @ Williams (Rice Bowl)
Sept. 25 Paradise*
Oct. 2 East Nicolaus*
Oct. 9 @Willows
Oct. 16 Bye
Oct. 23 Durham *
Oct. 30 @ Colusa*
Nov. 6 @Winters*
* denotes Sacramento Valley League game
2025-26 Results
W Amador 14-13
W Clear Lake FF
W Lincoln 23-21
W Williams 35-0
W Colusa* 24-7
W East Nicolaus* 14-0
W Willows* 42-0
W Paradise* 31-20
W Durham* 24-0
L Winters*. 10-31
W Yreka** 33-22
L Gridley** 0-22
* denotes Sacramento Valley League game
** denotes NSCIF D3 Playoff game