By Phil Stacey, Salem News Sports Editor

The statistics tell a large part of the story.

They tell you that Kenny Pierce of Beverly has not only been spectacular out of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s backfield this season, but that he’s one of the top running backs in all of Division 3 college football. The sophomore speedster is currently 10th nationally in yards per carry (7.69), 20th in both yards per game (136.5) and touchdowns (7), 33rd in points per game (10.5) and 37th in all purpose yards (153.75). 

He’s already had back-to-back 200-yard rushing games, tied the school record for touchdowns in a game (4) and has ripped through opposing defenses to the tune of 546 yards rushing on 71 carries, including seven scores.

But while the stats can tell a lot of the story, the game films tell the entire story. That’s where the 6-foot, 188-pound Pierce gets a chance to see why he’s able to run to daylight so often, why he’s able to chew up huge chunks of yardage on any given play, why the Buccaneers feel comfortable putting the ball in his hands no matter the situation.

“The line opens up a ton of holes. It’s like a straight line I just have to run through,” said Pierce, who turned 21 years old Monday. “We have a lot of quick, athletic guys up front, just like we did at Beverly High. You watch the films and you can see (the blocking) come together and a hole just completely opens up for me to run through.”

Modesty? Perhaps. After all, his linemen — tackles Andrew Bochman and Adam Banks, guards Matt Basler and Ethan Rooney, center Jeff Wallace and tight end Aidan Desrosiers, all fellow Bay Staters — have helped pave the way for the Buccaneers to average 507 yards of offense per game, including 311 on the ground.

But this isn’t a happy accident that these numbers have Pierce’s name attached to them. He’s put in the work to make himself stronger, faster and able to withstand the game at the college level. 

Playing in the 43rd annual Admiral’s Cup in Week 3 against Maine Maritime, Pierce ran for 212 yards on just 15 carries and found the end zone three times in a 47-41 loss. The following week, he logged 33 carries and finished with 202 yards and four TDs in a win over Worcester State. That tied the school’s single-game touchdown record shared by four other players — including another former Beverly High great, Kevin Piecewicz.

“Kenny has done everything that we’ve asked him to, and his ability to recognize and adjust to any situation on the field is a testament to the hard work that he has put in off of it,” said Mass. Maritime head coach Jeremy Cameron. “One of the major reasons he has had success is the implicit trust that he places in his offensive line and his teammates, and his character and leadership abilities are something that can’t be coached — but they can be emulated.”

A key component out of the backfield for Beverly High’s two Super Bowl title games in 2010 and 2012, Pierce began his college days at St. Anselm before hearing about the program at Mass. Maritime. He also knew some people from his hometown who attended the school and enjoyed the experience, so he decided to check it out.

“I thought it was a good decision for my future,” said the Facilities Engineering major, who rushed for 534 yards and 4 TDs on just 76 carries as a freshman in 2014. “And it’s such a welcoming environment here.

“The school is great, I feel great and the guys on the team are great. Everyone works together and works hard towards a common goal. It reminds me of the teams we had back in Beverly; the guys have that same type of attitude.”

A burner who torched opponents in high school by gaining the edge and taking off, Pierce finds most of his running these days is up the middle and between the tackles in the Buccaneers’ spread offense.

There’s a familiar face in the Mass. Maritime backfield, too: former Salem High great Brad Skeffington. A fifth-year senior captain, Skeffington was a running back a year ago before being moved to his natural position under center this fall. ‘Skeff’ is also having a fine season, completing 59-of-115 passes for 754 yards and seven touchdowns.

Lining up either to the left or right behind him in the backfield, Pierce is also a target for Skeffington on bubble screens and flare outs.

“He’s a great guy,” Pierce said of Skeffington. “Our mindsets are a lot alike, and he’s a really hard working guy who sets a great example for everyone. He has speed, quickness, knows how to make moves ... across the board, he’s great. On Saturdays, you know he’s going to take control.”

Naturally, there’s some good natured ribbing between the two over their centuries-old Thanksgiving Day rivalry. But while Pierce was on the winning sideline twice in three holiday matchups against the Witches, he can’t give Skeffington too much of a hard time.

“They beat us our first Super Bowl season (2010) when he was a senior and I was a sophomore. So I really can’t give him any grief,” Pierce said with a laugh.

Pierce credits Mike Kelley, who is not only his running backs coach but also the company officer of his Comcad program at school, for helping get him up to speed, so to speak, on MMA’s offensive philosophy and how to get the most out of his abilities.

“I can go to him any time during the day and talk. He’s been a great liaison as far as balancing school, regiment and football,” said Pierce.