Chris Singleton|The Courier

For a young high school athlete, moving to a new state is never easy, but new Terrebonne High School senior football player Aavion Pierce has made the most of it.

Now Pierce, who moved from Florida to Houma earlier this year, is expecting to contribute in many areas for the Tigers this fall.

He will beanother big talent as a cornerback at Terrebonne, joining forces with senior defensive tackle and five-star Maason Smith and junior standouts Kadan Lewis and Jaylin Lucas.

Its been really tough transferring from Florida to here, but being with Maason Smith, Jaylin Lucas and Kadan, it has been a great experience, Pierce said. I love this team. Its very different where I come from. Its nothing new. I know what I got to do to help the team win. I just enjoy everybody thats on the team. That's all I can say.

Pierce, a native of Davenport, Florida, said he and his family used to travel to Houma for Mardi Gras parades in the past.

When his mother Avarin Holton asked him if he wanted to move to Houma and play his senior year at Terrebonne, Pierce said he was all for it.

When I came here in the past, I enjoyedit, so I was like yes, Pierce said. I got homesick, but when I met everybody here at Terrebonne, it just changed. I like it out here now. Its been a great experience.

Pierce is a 6-foot-4, 185-pound cornerback. He is ranked as a three-star athlete by both 247sports.com. He has received offers from Tennessee State and Western Michigan to go with interest from the University of Nebraska, Georgia State and Cincinnati.

Terrebonne head coach Gary Hill said Pierce is talented enough to play at cornerback on defense, receiver on offense and on special teams.

Hes developing real well in our scheme, Hill said. Hes starting to understand what hes got to do and what his role is in the secondary. He might have some offensive things that hes going to do in the next couple of weeks once he has learned everything he needs to do on the defensive side of the ball. Hes come along. He has been a hard worker. Were trying to figure out what he has to do to have his role on the team and become a playmaker for us.

Even Terrebonne defensive backs coach Aaron Butler, a former Vandebilt Catholic standout who played college ball at City College of San Francisco and the University of Cincinnati, said Pierce has brought great energy to the defense and team.

Aavion is a great young man and a player that wants to be great, Butler said. When I received the news he was coming here, I evaluated him and saw things in his game that could be improved. But, I immediately saw an upside in his length. He can make plays that an average defensive backs cant make do to those attributes.My job was to critique those flaws and polish his technique and coverage concepts."

During summer workouts and fall camp practices, Butler said he has tried his best to challenge Pierces talents. They were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic this year, but they have taken advantage of their time together before the regular season starts in October.

After losing most of his defensive backfield to graduation last season, Butler said Pierce's talent and experience will be beneficial.

"I feel hell control his island and be an asset," Butler said."Im an optimistdue to COVID. It has been a challenge. When you lose your entire secondary, its tough, but we have a saying,'Its still DBU and its the next man up.' That being said, he will be the man in the secondary.

Pierce said he likes playing in Terrebonnes scheme so far.

Its competition. I just cant wait until the season starts, Pierce said. How we played down there in Florida is kind of similar to here. I love to learn new things. Coach Butler is a great coach. All I can say is I'm ready whenever they are ready."

Pierce said he has also enjoyed the bond with his new teammates.

In recent years, Terrebonne has enjoyed success on the football field and have sent many athletes to the next level, including former players in Florida States JaKhi Douglas and Lamar Universitys Chaz Ward, Anthony TJ Ruffin and Ko Clark.

The pattern will continue this year. Smith is ranked as Louisianas top football recruit and top defensive tackle prospect according to rankings on 247sports.com with offers from LSU, Georgia and top colleges. Both Lewis and Lucas are two more rising young athletes getting interest from colleges.

Pierce said it has inspired him to work with Terrebonnes top college recruits.

Being with them, it made me realize it dont come easy because they put in a lot of work, Pierce said. I just got with the program. They are great guys. I look up to them. They are great teammates. We are on the same page on what weve got to do on the field and off the field. I like to play with them.

Pierce said he has also getting college looks. Although the pandemic affected his recruitment this summer, he expects to get more offers during the course of his senior year

I like to get more, Pierce said. Im a high recruit right now. A lot of coaches got me on the radar so I just have to be patient and work.

Pierce didnt get a chance to show his talents at camps this summer, but he managed to work with local trainer Ernest Harvey and Camp Moula.

Camp Moula helped a lot. Shoutout to Coach Turk (Harvey). He helped a lot. He got me fundamentally ready. Its a good deal to have him in the area as well.

As he prepares for his senior season, Pierce said his goals are simple. He wants to help the Tigers improve on their 5-6 overall record from last season and make a run through the Class 5A state playoffs.

My main focus is going to the Dome, Pierce said. Im ready to go to the Dome and get this state championship ring.

In the meantime, Pierce said he is having the time of his life living in Houma. He has a new favorite food in boiled crawfish and he has loved being in the community.

Its just the people, Pierce said. It has a great people and great atmosphere. I like to be around everybody and I love all of the food.

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New kid on the block: Transfer athlete fitting in with new team at Terrebonne - Houma Courier