Archives > Sports > Schools
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Punter on point as Pierce picks Missouri S&T
BY Matt Welch mwelch@acnpapers.com
In scouting things down to the last detail, Plano Senior punter/kicker Grant Pierce did his homework back in February during his official visit to the Missouri University of Science and Technology.
Taking in everything from the opportunities as a punter and kicker, to the school’s application to his desire to major in either chemical or electrical engineering to the makeup of small, tightly-knit city of Rolla, Pierce said the campus visit played as integral a role as any in signing a National Letter of Intent to continue his football career at Missouri S&T.
“It was the campus visit,” Pierce said. “I wasn’t sure at first, but once I got on the campus, it felt like a good size …I talked with some professors and teammates and (there was) just the whole feel of the town, it’s not a real big town and I like that. The campus visit pretty much sold me.”
And while Pierce might be traveling a hair more than 500 miles from Plano, the sense of family won’t be too far away for Pierce.
Pierce’s sister and Plano alumnus, Stevie, is currently in the midst of her freshman year playing softball for Missouri State. The siblings will be separated by approximately 90 minutes and for Pierce, having his sister nearby will make easing into the college atmosphere a bit easier, even if the decision was anything but predetermined.
“It’s just a coincidence,” Pierce said. “I actually got recruited by a couple Missouri schools, but it’s kind of weird that we’re only going to be an hour and a half away from each other.
“It’s going to help and that was also a factor in my decision. She’s so close and I can always drive down and see her.”
The signing marks the latest chapter in an otherwise storybook season for the Wildcats’ special teams juggernaut.
Battling through both the good and bad, Pierce emerged from the rubble as one of the most consistent pieces of Plano’s 2009 campaign. As the team’s punter, Pierce amassed just shy of 1,900 yards punting last season, placing 17 punts inside the 20-yard line and six inside the 10.
The numbers factored into Pierce’s accolades. He was a first team all-district selection as both a punter and kicker, and a second-team all-state selection.
“It’s been an incredible journey,” Pierce said. “Everything that happened during the season changed me. It started off rough and I wasn’t too confident then, but the help of my coaches and teammates helped it grow.
“We made it farther than anyone would have expected and barely lost to the would-be state champions.”
Pierce’s high school career isn’t over just yet though as he will soon be named to the Texas High School Coaches Association’s Football All-Star Game. This will be the third straight season a Wildcat has been in that game, following Blake McJunkin in 2008 and Carson Meger in 2009.
The next step for Pierce will be to parlay the momentum built during his senior year into a successful run with a new-look Miners squad.
“I just want to be able to grow as a person,” he said, “and become a better punter and kicker. I hope to make a lot of friends, have a good time playing football and help the team win some games.”
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: Plano «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
