Published: July 27, 2009 09:38 pm         

Ready to go

QB Pierce adds weight

Last football season as a junior, Daniel Pierce was Christian Heritage’s leading receiver. His brother John, a senior, was the quarterback. The two were key components to the Lions’ undefeated season and Georgia Football League state championship.

But that was last season.

This year brings a series of changes to both Pierce and the Lions, most of which are for the better. If they want to repeat as state champions in the independent league now named the Glory for Christ Football League, Pierce and the Lions will have to adapt to the changes and play at a higher level than last season.

The most important change for Pierce is he’ll replace his brother as the team’s quarterback. That challenge is compounded by a change in the offensive scheme — Lions coach Mike Vaden is switching from the veer to the wing-T. Other changes, such as playing under Friday night lights instead of the Saturday afternoon sun, could help Pierce and the Lions in their quest to defend their title.

But for Pierce, the biggest change this season will be physical. He’s been participating in plyometric and weightlifting workouts at the school since spring, exercising four times a week.

As a result, Pierce has added 15 pounds of muscle. He said he felt he needed the extra weight to help him better play the quarterback position, where he’ll be stationary while bigger, heavier defensive lineman take their best shot at him, as opposed to playing receiver, where he could better brace himself for a hit, or, in some cases, lay a hit himself.

“I feel like taking shots won’t be as hard now,” said Pierce, who is home-schooled and lives in Cleveland, Tenn. “I realize now that as a quarterback, everyone will be gunning for me. So the more shots I can take without losing energy, that will help.”

In addition to his workouts, in early June he participated in a National Underclassmen Football Combine held in Atlanta. Ranked by Rivals.com as a top 100 camp, the combine could serve as a stock-booster for Pierce should he decide to pursue a college football opportunity, which he said he’s considering.

Vaden said he believes Pierce is capable of playing at the college level as either a quarterback, receiver or defensive back.

A four-year starter, Pierce will be one of five returning seniors for the Lions. Vaden believes his leadership will play a key role in any success the Lions enjoy this season.

“I look for him to be one of our leaders,” Vaden said. “He pushes hard on and off the field and is a good example to not only his teammates, but also his younger brother Bryan, who plays on the middle school team. Daniel is not the talkative, rah-rah guy, but he sets a good example with his actions and I’m looking forward to a big season from him.”

Although the Lions lost nine seniors from last year’s team, they will have five seniors this year. With the pieces Christian Heritage has in place for 2009, Pierce is confident the Lions can play with the league’s best.

“We’ll still be good,” Pierce said. “We got to scrimmage two of the best teams in the league for our spring game, and we looked great. We might have been the best. I know we lost a lot of seniors from last year’s team, but we’ve got some people coming back, and some new people coming in that are going to help us.

“And we’re growing and coming together as a team.”

     

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