Boys to men: How Shelby football's Izay Bridges, Jaden Pierce helped spearhead resurgence

Izay Bridges and Jaden Pierce long established themselves in Shelby football lore, part of the Golden Lions’ fall 2021 championship team.

Once “cubs” looking up to veterans such as Malaki Hamrick, Santana Hopper, Daylin Lee, JaKeith Hamilton and others, Bridges and Pierce now are the ones setting a tone in the Shelby locker room.

“It feels kind of weird being a senior and leading this team,” Pierce said. “We have to do it; come out here, give it our all, do what our coaches tell us to do and keep this group together.”

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Expectations for Pierce were high before first donning a Shelby High uniform, particularly after brother and former Cleveland County passing leader Isaiah Bess led Shelby to consecutive state titles in 2018 and 2019. He’s done his part to add to the family legacy, racking up 215 career tackles (43 for a loss), 10.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries, one returned for a touchdown in a 2021 NCHSAA 2A West final rout of East Surry.

Nicknamed “The Flash,” Bridges’ play-making ability has allowed him to become one of Cleveland County’s most prolific receivers on record.

The NC Central football recruit’s 181 career receptions tie him with Crest alum Tyshun Odom for second all-time in Cleveland County history. Bridges is also one of five county receivers to earn 3,000 career receiving yards, joining Shelby product Jayden Borders (4,620 yards); Burns’ Josh Briscoe (3,519 yards); UNC wideout and former Kings Mountain standout Kobe Paysour (3,382 yards); and Crest’s Odom (3,188 yards).

He’s proven dangerous out of the backfield, as well as on special teams. The 5-8, 160-pound wideout has four rushing touchdowns, along with five kick returns and two punt returns for TDs.

“You have to lead the team by example,” Bridges said. “Go out, play hard, be vocal and (let them know) if they did what they are supposed to do, we can get a win.”

Nevertheless, everything hasn’t been a crystal stair for the Shelby senior duo. Different nicks and bruises have forced Pierce to play through pain the past two seasons. Meanwhile, an off-field infraction cost Bridges the ability to contribute in the Golden Lions’ last three games of their 2022 campaign.

Though both have endured adversity in their careers, they also learned how to drown out noise from outside their locker room, particularly after consecutive 0-3 starts.

“It’s a lot different coming in the past two seasons with an 0-3 start. Usually we’re winning, so it took a lot (for us) to get better and be better every week,” Bridges said.

Pierce added: (This team dealt with) a lot of adversity people don’t know about. That’s cool; we have to do what we have to do, and that’s get better.”

Shelby is now 7-3 this season after a 58-27 win over rival Burns. The victory earned the Golden Lions the Southern Piedmont 1A/2A title, as well as a home date against Mount Pleasant in the opening round of the 2A West playoffs.

According to Pierce, everything's coming together for the Shelby football team at the right time.

“As you can tell, we’ve gotten better (as a team) and our chemistry is much better,” Pierce said. “Most of the time, we’re used to (criticism) and laugh it off. If they aren’t talking about you, then you’re not doing something right. (Those on the outside) acknowledge us, they have eyes on us. We’re (a good football team).”

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: NCHSAA football: How Bridges, Pierce spearheaded Shelby's resurgence