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Piercing The Void
It’s a good thing for Orchard Lake St. Mary’s powerhouse football program that its depth is practically unparalleled across the state’s prep pigskin ranks this fall because the Eaglets lost a big chunk of their heart and soul with a season-ending knee injury to senior linebacker-fullback Pierce (P.J.) Bauer, a team co-captain and all-around prince of a human being. This kid’s style of play is 150 percent effort and 250 percent grit on every snap. He’s smart, he’s a leader and he embodies what it means to be an OLSM student athlete. His absence will no doubt be felt.
Last year as a junior, Bauer helped spark EAGLETSNATION to a D3 state title. As a linebacker, he was a menace sideline-to-sideline. On the goal line, he was CASH MONEY with the rock in his hands, almost a guaranteed smashmouth touchdown, no matter what – think a human battering ram.
Burney has little question in his mind we’ll be seeing Bauer back on the gridiron at the college level next season. Still, it will be sad seeing him on crutches and not mixing it up in the heat of battle for the repeat parade towards Ford Field. Things just won’t be the same in that huddle. Don’t worry, though, P.J., Burney is quite certain your teammates have your back and you’ll be collecting another state-championship ring regardless.
