Pierce hears of Dogs' desire to play Vidor
By TOM HALLIBURTON - Port Arthur News Sports Writer

NEDERLAND -- Chris Pierce did not experience the failure, misery, and disappointment of Nederland's 10-8 loss at Vidor last year, but he's heard about it.

Pierce has heard his fellow seniors voice their desire to settle a score with the Pirates and the dreaded boneyard known as Pirate Stadium.

"I wasn't there but I've been hearing people talk about last year's game," the 17-year-old Nederland senior said.

Pierce was not there because he was not a member of Nederland's football team last year.

The son of Robert Pierce and Guyanell Wigley was a center and defensive end prospect as a sophomore. But he decided to stop playing football in the spring of his sophomore year.

Curiosity got the best of Chris a year ago as Nederland began a memorable run to the 4A Division state semifinal round. Chris wondered if he would be able to play, wondered if he could start and make a difference in the Bulldogs' program.

Curiosity brought Pierce back into the off-season program last January. The open and flexible approach of head coach Larry Neumann made him feel welcome again. Now Chris' curiosity has been answered affirmatively.

Yes, he's been able to play, start, and make a winning difference for the Bulldogs.

"I was hoping I could but I wasn't quite sure," Pierce recalled. "I had played JV but I wanted to play varsity... I missed it. It was always fun."

Pierce found last spring's off-season to be "pretty hard" but the 5-11, 235-pounder earned a starting weakside end job on defense. He's not only started, but he's excelled at times.

"Chris' performance on defense has been consistent and outstanding," his head coach said. "I'm very proud of the way he's stepped it up. He's quiet in nature but hard-working, very coachable, very physical and we're pleased with his stamina."

Neumann has been especially concerned over Pierce's stamina in the past two weeks. A fibula fracture (leg bone) for starting offensive weakside guard Chase Rosas caused NHS coaches to seek an emergency replacement just a couple of days before Nederland's all-important visit to Port Neches-Groves.

Pierce has started two games -- PN-G and Silsbee -- both ways and has elevated his play along with the double duty.

Here's what Nederland's coaches noticed and liked about Pierce's preparation to start at offensive guard. When he practiced and drilled with the second unit, Chris treated the matter with importance and focus. He did not merely go through the motions. That's the proof which Neumann and company wanted about Pierce's application to his work.

"Chris probably thought he wouldn't play any offense if it wasn't for an injury," Neumann said. "You could tell by the way he played it that he prepared and worked in that second huddle. It's easy to talk it, it's another thing to go and do it."

Pierce admitted the double duty has changed his load "a bunch", both mentally and physically. The mental side of being an offensive starter differs dramatically from that of being a defensive starter.

"It's been tiring at some points," Pierce said. "I've had to change my way of thinking with the plays and stuff."

Pierce has expressed an interest in studying radiology as a college student. But there's plenty of important NHS matters to address first. He played third base on Nederland's JV baseball team and has hoped to make the jump to varsity as effectively in baseball as he has in football.

But Chris would not wish for his high school football days to end Friday night.

"There's an excitement within our team now," he said. "We need to win to get into the playoffs."

Pierce credited Neumann for helping with the adjustment of returning to the Bulldogs football program this season.

"When I came back, he talked to me and showed an interest in me," Pierce said. "Coach Neumann has been a real good coach.... I didn't go to many games last year. I got burned out of it. I didn't have much of an interest in it. I just needed a break, I guess. But after the season they had, I just got to thinking about football again."

After that, Chris' curiosity got the best of him. His teammates are glad it did