SEBASTIAN — Sebastian River High School football seniors Jeremiah Pierce and Eli Weatherly have been named Players of the Week, two defensive starters coaches keep pointing to for the same reason: they do the work without making a show of it.
Jeremiah Pierce #26
Senior Jeremiah Pierce is heading into his fourth season at Sebastian River High School with a new position and the same reputation coaches keep coming back to: quiet, steady and ready for whatever the defense asks.
Pierce is a 5-foot-10, 180-pound outside linebacker with a 3.0 GPA. He is a two-year starter who is making the switch to outside linebacker this fall. After graduation, he plans to attend the University of Miami and study marketing and business.
He has been in pads since he was 8.
“I have been playing football since I was 8 years old. I played for the Sebastian River Youth Sharks and am currently in my 4th year of playing high school football,” Pierce told Sebastian Daily. “My position I currently play is outside linebacker.”
The long-term plan, he said, is not just a degree.
“My plans after graduation are to attend the University of Miami and study Marketing and Business,” Pierce said. “After high school graduation, my ultimate goal is to earn a degree in Business and Marketing and to use the knowledge and skills I gain to become a successful entrepreneur.”
He credits the game for the habits he wants to take with him.
“Football has taught me the importance of discipline, teamwork, and being accountable for my actions. It has taught me that in order to achieve success in life, you have to put in the work.”
Pierce singled out Head Coach Tyrone Perry.
“I would like to honor Coach Perry. He has always believed in me and pushed me to strive to be the best version of myself. He has taught me many valuable lessons, both on and off the field, and has made a huge impact on my life. I’m truly grateful for everything he has done for me.”
He saved the last word for home.
“I thank my family greatly. My whole life, no matter what I did, I never had to worry about having support because they were always there for me through every challenge. I honestly wouldn’t be where I am today without them. I’m extremely grateful and blessed to have been born into such a loving and supportive family.”
Perry said Pierce enters the season as a two-year starter, even as the assignment changes.
“Jerimiah enters the season as a two-year starter, although he will be playing a new position. This year, he will be asked to transition to outside linebacker. In this role, Jerimiah will rely on his natural ability, hand usage, and leverage to defeat blocks from pulling guards, tight ends, and tackles rather than being washed out of the play. He will also be responsible for dropping into the flats, curl zones, and hook zones, responsibilities that are typically assigned to an inside linebacker.”
“We expect Jerimiah to use his strength and technique to maintain outside contain against sweeps and zone-read plays, forcing the ball carrier back inside to the defense.”
“Jerimiah will be a vital part of our defense this season. We will be counting on him for leadership and maturity both on and off the field. As long as he continues to play physically, performs well in space, and effectively defends both the run and the pass, he has all the tools necessary to enjoy a successful senior year.”
Outside linebackers coach Brad Butler spoke of Pierce’s quiet strength.
“JP: best way to describe him is ‘Quiet Strength!’ He always has a great attitude, calm and quiet, ready to do anything we ask. He has played multiple positions and currently starts on Defense and Special Teams. He is a team player, respectful to coaches and other players. He is a model player, and I wish him the very best in his future endeavors.”
Eli Weatherly #36
Senior Eli Weatherly does not need a long introduction in the Sebastian River High School locker room. Coaches already have a name for him: Turbo.
Weatherly is a 6-foot-2, 190-pound two-year starter at defensive end. He also lines up at nose guard and tight end. He carries a 3.2 GPA and plans to wrestle in college while majoring in marine biology, with the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and the University of Virginia on his list.
Football did not start in youth leagues for him.
“I have been playing since my freshman year of high school,” Weatherly told Sebastian Daily.
The coaches, he said, are a big reason the motor stays high.
“They encourage me to play aggressively, fast, and achieve my best performance and hit my assignments. They also serve as a reason why I want to be better at this sport to show the appreciation I have for football and my coaches.”
The game itself left a simpler lesson.
“Football has taught me to become tougher, pushing through pain to play as physical as I can to play my hardest for my teammates. It has also shown me how important it is for a team to work together, and with people worrying about themselves, it falls apart.”
He wanted two names on the record.
“I’d like to honor my father, as he has been a coach for not only the sports I’ve played my whole life but also coaching me lessons about life itself. I’d also like to honor Coach Jefferson as he has pushed me as well and taught me to be the aggressive player I am now.”
His father, Phinehas Weatherly, is an assistant on the Sharks staff. The thank-you came back around to him again.
“Once again, another thank you to my father, as he has done many things for me I can look back and be extremely grateful for and proud to call him my dad.”
Defensive coordinator Chris Jefferson has watched the shift from wrestler to football player up close.
“Eli Weatherly (aka Turbo) is a great kid. He is one of the kids that you get every few years. He works so hard, and his grind is rubbing off on others. If he were a cartoon character, he would be Taz or Stitch because his motor never stops. He does what he is asked to do at a hundredth of a mile an hour, and I love it. His work ethic has allowed him to be a leader by example, and I can’t thank him enough for that. Kids like him is one of the reasons I love to coach. I love seeing kids that play with joy. Moreover, when I met Eli a few years ago, he was 100% a wrestler. Not anymore. Turbo loves wrestling, but Turbo also is a football player.”
Head Coach Tyrone Perry said the wrestling background shows up every snap.
“Eli enters the season as a two-year starter at defensive end. With a wrestling background, he possesses many of the traits that translate perfectly to playing on the defensive line.
Although he may not have the prototypical frame for a defensive end, Eli makes up for it with outstanding hand usage, leverage, and an elite first-step get-off. He explodes off the ball at the snap, putting offensive tackles on their heels before they can establish proper position and set their hands.
As a pass rusher, Eli utilizes a variety of moves, including bull rushes, rip-and-dip techniques, and arm-over moves to reduce his surface area and turn the corner on his way to the quarterback. He also pursues plays from the backside and plays with relentless effort and energy throughout all four quarters.
In his final season, we are looking for Eli to take the next step as a leader and become the cornerstone of our defensive line. If he continues to play with the same intensity, discipline, and work ethic he has shown throughout his career, he has the potential to make a significant impact on our defense this season.”
Sebastian River High School Sharks 2026 Football Schedule
- Friday, Aug. 28 – vs. Viera, 7:00 p.m. (Non-district)
- Friday, Sept. 4 – vs. Tohopekaliga, 7:00 p.m. (Non-district)
- Thursday, Sept. 10 – at Jensen Beach, 7:00 p.m. (District)
- Friday, Sept. 18 – at South Fork, 7:00 p.m. (Non-district)
- Friday, Oct. 2 – vs. Heritage (Palm Bay), 7:00 p.m. (District)
- Friday, Oct. 9 – at Legacy, 7:00 p.m. (District)
- Friday, Oct. 16 – at Westwood (Fort Pierce), 7:00 p.m. (District)
- Friday, Oct. 23 – at Port St. Lucie, 7:00 p.m. (District)
- Friday, Oct. 30 – vs. Harmony, 7:00 p.m. (Non-district)
Tickets can be purchased here or at the gate entrance.