By Bret Strelow | App State Athletics
BOONE, N.C. — Before senior quarterback
Chase Brice connected on a single throw against Old Dominion, he passed on a coveted role to recognize another worthy teammate.
Chosen as one of four game day captains for the home finale, Brice would have walked to midfield Saturday with
Steven Jones Jr., who enrolled at App State in 2017, as well as a pair of fifth-year Mountaineers in
Cooper Hodges and
Hansky Paillant.
Brice, who transferred to App State before the 2021 season, instead approached head coach
Shawn Clark late in the week and requested that his spot go to senior tight end
Henry Pearson, who has been an impactful contributor to the Mountaineers since he arrived in 2018.
"I was supposed to be one of the captains, and Henry is a captain in my eyes," Brice said. "I went to Coach Clark and said, 'This guy deserves to walk out there with the OG group of guys.' I thought Henry would be the perfect substitution to lead our team. He's been a huge rock for us, and I wanted to honor him in that way."
Earlier on Friday, four game day captains were announced from the eight players who have been full-season captains. With 28 players being recognized on Senior Day, it's simply been a numbers game with there being plenty of deserving candidates among the team's veteran leaders compared to who was able to wear a "C" patch on their uniforms this season.
When the team met Friday night, Clark revealed that Pearson would be a captain for the first time. Pearson wasn't even aware of how it had transpired until after the 27-13 victory over ODU.
"That was a very special moment for me," Pearson said. "That shows good leadership from (Chase) and shows he's in tune with his players around him and in tune with the coaches.
"It doesn't just show something about me, but something great about him as well to be able to feel that and feel that for me."
Pearson played in his 58th career game and made his 42nd career start at App State — the second-highest total among players on the 2022 team, behind only the 50 career starts from Hodges.
Pearson made two catches for 41 yards, breaking tackles and pulling defenders with him on a 23-yard gain in the first quarter and running over a defender on an 18-yard gain in the fourth quarter. With 23 catches for 282 yards and five touchdowns this season — all career highs — he ranks first among Sun Belt tight ends in touchdown catches while being second in catches and receiving yards.
"We have great players and great leaders on this team, and if I couldn't be a captain with a 'C' on my chest, I could still be a captain in spirit, and in my heart I feel that," Pearson said.
The victory gave App State a 28-4 record at Kidd Brewer Stadium since Pearson and other fifth-year teammates enrolled.
"Walking out and just feeling the atmosphere throughout the entire game, it just meant the world to me," Pearson said.
Even though Brice played only 13 games in Kidd Brewer Stadium, he has completely embraced being a Mountaineer, and App State fans have reciprocated the respect.
No moment encapsulated that better than Brice throwing a game-winning Hail Mary touchdown pass against Troy, then heading over to the elevated front row of the student section and helping classmates safely reach the field so they could storm it.
After going through Senior Day festivities, Brice completed 6 of 7 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns in the first 17 minutes against ODU. App State built a 27-0 lead, and Brice finished with 291 passing yards.
"It was pretty emotional, I'm not going to lie to you," Brice said. "I got choked up before I walked out there, just App State and what it means to me. It's a place that's accepted me and a place that I've grown into a better quarterback, a better teammate and a better man. That's a big thanks to Coach Clark, Coach Barbay, Coach Ponce that I had in the past, Coach Watts — all the coaches on our staff that have built us up to be better men."
