Glen Mills beats Chester in football

Chester, which has had its share of football struggles over the years, was within reach of its first outright Del-Val League championship since 1997.

Standing in the Clippers' way of a big-time celebration was Glen Mills, which this season returned to the Del-Val after playing as an independent for 13 years, and a one-man wrecking crew named Bernard Pierce.

Pierce, a quick-footed and powerful tailback, proved more powerful than Chester's determination to claim a title. The 6-foot, 205-pound senior carried 24 times for a career-high 299 yards and three touchdowns as the visiting Bulls totaled 401 rushing yards and triumphed, 30-15, yesterday at sun-splashed Chester School District Athletic Field.

Pierce has been at Glen Mills, a school for court-adjudicated youths, for the last two years. The 17-year-old began high school at Lower Merion. "I got into a little trouble, so the court decided I should be here," he said.

So far, so good for Pierce - on the field and on the Glen Mills campus.

"We get the kids that nobody wants," fifth-year coach Kevin Owens said. "But I think everybody deserves a second chance. In the case of Bernard, he's taken advantage of every opportunity Glen Mills has offered him."

Pierce, of Ardmore, has scholarship offers from Buffalo, James Madison and Temple. Other Division I-A programs, including West Virginia and Rutgers, have been in contact.

"I'm going to take my official visits after the season," he said. "West Virginia is one of my favorites. I like Morgantown. It's far away from home but not too far, and the coaches there have been very nice to me."

On yesterday's second play, Pierce broke free for a 66-yard touchdown run. Midway through the third quarter, his 84-yard burst put the Bulls comfortably ahead, 18-0.

"This was the most important game of my career," Pierce said. "Since Chester could have clinched things, it was a must-win situation for us."

Glen Mills (6-2 overall, 2-1 league) kept alive its hopes to be a Del-Val cochampion. With their league schedule finished, the Clippers (5-3, 4-1) probably will end up sharing the crown with the Bulls and 10-time defending champion Interboro (5-3, 3-1).

On hand to watch Pierce, who last season rushed for 1,359 yards, were his mother, Tammy Pierce; brother, Rick Spady; and grandmother, Ora Pierce. "They haven't missed a game in the last two years," the senior said. "They're very supportive."

With a pair of third-quarter touchdowns, Chester closed the gap to 18-15. However, Pierce reversed the momentum early in the fourth quarter with a 54-yard gain that set up his 5-yard touchdown dash.

The Clippers lost senior quarterback Al Payne to an ankle injury in the second quarter. His replacement, junior Tevin Campbell, completed 11 of 21 passes for 180 yards, including an 18-yard touchdown strike to Jabree Clayton.

Glen Mills 12 6 6 6 - 30

Chester 0 0 15 0 - 15

GM: Pierce 66 run (kick failed)

GM: Plummer 25 pass from Smalls (run failed)

GM: Pierce 84 run (kick failed)

C: Clayton 18 pass from Campbell (Robinson pass from Campbell)

C: Campbell 7 run (Payne kick)

GM: Pierce 5 run (kick failed)

GM: Smalls 20 run (kick failed)