Pierce named South All-Star

TERI BOCKSTAHLER BARKER PHOTO

A stellar high school football career for Milan senior Ethan Pierce will be cemented with one of the highest honors in Indiana as the Indian tight end has been selected to participate in the 58th Annual Murat Shrine North/South Football All-Star Classic.

Pierce will participate for the South All-Stars which features two other players from Southeastern Indiana. He is the only team member from the coverage area.

A mainstay at the tight end spot during his career, Pierce not only was a threat with the pigskin in his hands but also with his ability to block on the offensive line, paving the way for Milan’s offense to march downfield. He had a career percentage of 85 percent in terms of an offensive line grade and accumulated 17 pancakes in his time wearing black and gold. Added to that was 49 catches while on the varsity roster where he used those to rack up 697 yards and nine touchdowns.

Milan during his four years of high school put together an overall record of 24-21 for head coach Ryan Langferman which included two winning seasons and a pair of sectional runner-up finishes. Pierce at the conclusion of his 2023 season was named All-State by both the Indiana Football Coaches Association and Indiana Preps. He was a 2022 IFCA Junior All-State selection.

Pierce, who is set to continue his football career at Mount St. Joseph University in Delhi, Ohio, also boasts a 3.517 grade point average in the classroom.

The All-Star Game, organized by the IFCA, will be held on July 12 at Decatur Central High School with rosters reporting to All-Star Camp on July 9. Pierce will be alongside East Central offensive lineman Noah Schneider and Trojan running back Dylan Maxwell as part of the game.

East Central head coach Jake Meiners will serve as an assistant coach on the South staff under All-Star Game head coach Jake Gilbert of Westfield.