Ardmore Native's Baltimore Ravens Advance to AFC Championship Game

Ardmore native Bernard Pierce, barely a year removed from playing football in a Temple University uniform, is now a week away from playing for a berth in the Super Bowl.

The Baltimore Ravens stunned the top-seeded Denver Broncos on Saturday in an AFC divisional playoff game, winning 38-35 in double overtime. They will meet either the Houston Texans or New England Patriots at 6:30 p.m. next Sunday in the AFC championship game, with the winner playing in the 47th Super Bowl in New Orleans.

Pierce, a rookie running back for the Baltimore Ravens, ran for 14 yards on five carries in Denver. Starting back Ray Rice got most of the work, carrying the ball 30 times for 131 yards and a touchdown.

Pierce got more action in the wild-care game against Indianapolis, running 13 times for 103 yards.

Pierce attended Lower Merion High School before leaving as a sophomore for disciplinary reasons, then played football at Glen Mills High School and was recruited to play at Temple. He was drafted by the Ravens last April.

Patch editor Tom Sunnergren interviewed Pierce during his final season with the Owls.