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Name: Derek Pearse
School: Post Falls High School
Grade: Senior
Sport: Football, Baseball
Position: QB, Catcher

How did you first get interested in your sport?

I became very interested in football when I was young. When I started playing flag football in the first grade, I knew that I was going to love this sport. This is where I could make friends and have a good time playing a game that I loved. Ever since I started tackle football, I loved it and that is why I have continued to play it throughout high school and am continuing it into college. Coach Bennett has helped me so much in the past few years to get me prepared for varsity and now college football. 

I became interested in baseball around the fourth or fifth grade when I started little league. I loved it so much because I had such amazing coaches to teach me along the way. Tim Bastedo and Mick Zeller taught me so much about baseball and even life through this amazing sport and I am thankful for them. They gave me a passion for this game that has continued into high school, and I loved every minute of it. 

If you play other sports, which is your favorite and why?

My favorite sport has got to be football, and that is because I have such an amazing passion for it. I have loved football for as long as I can remember, and I can't imagine my life without it. I love baseball too, but there is just something about football that I can't really explain. 

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from high school sports?

There is never enough work that you can put into something. If you want to be good at something, just work at it and try to get better. There is nothing that is going to stop you from working hard and trying to get better at it. 

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

The best advice that I ever received is probably that talent alone will never make a good team. A team needs leadership, and if there is nobody on the team to take that role as a leader then that team will not be successful. Learning this from Coach Bennett in football has taught me to always work hard and always try to lead the team in any way possible. 

What has been your favorite high school memory so far?

My favorite high school memory was when my football team beat Skyview in the playoffs. I will never forget the game-winning drive, and I will especially not forget the touchdown that I threw to Josiah Shields to win the first 5A state playoff game in school history. 

What coaches or teachers have made the biggest impact on your athletic career?

The coaches that have impacted me the most in my athletic career are Tim Bastedo, Mick Zeller and Blaine Bennett. They have always taught me so many things about life and sports. They have always taught me to work hard, lead when you can and especially have fun while doing it. 

Which teammates have you really connected with during high school? Why do you enjoy competing with them?

I have really connected with a few teammates in high school. First, my left guard Justin Gies. Justin has been my best friend on and off the field and if it were not for him protecting me on the field, I may not be able to walk off every game. He has been a true friend that I will never forget. I cannot wait to see how he does playing football at Whitworth because he is one great football player. Another is Tommy Hauser. Tommy and I have really connected on the field. Tommy was my top receiver the last two years, and I never would have accomplished as much as I had done in football if it were not for him. Our connection grew so strong last year and I cannot wait to see what he does in the future. A couple other great friends of mine are Kevin Lebsock, Grant Jones and Andrew Davidson. I have played a few years of baseball with them, and I will miss the fun games we had in the spring. I've been playing baseball with/against them ever since elementary school, and it is cool to see what they have become as people and players. 

Is there anyone in your family who have helped you get to where you are today?

My mom and dad have supported me greatly through my years of playing sports. My dad especially has impacted me because he has helped coach me ever since I was young, and if it were not for his support on and off the field, then I would not be where I am today. 

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

Something that most people do not know about me is that I was homeschooled up until high school. I came to high school my freshman year, and the last four years here have been so much fun and I will never forget the friendships. My freshman year, I was very quiet and antisocial, but being around people and sports has allowed me to open up and become a more sociable person. 

What is your reaction to the cancellation of spring sports? 

This baseball season, I was looking forward to playing one last season with my friends, and unfortunately that has been cancelled. It is very disappointing, but I am just thankful for the ability to play these sports for so long. I am attending Montana Tech next fall to play football, so I have that to look forward to since I am no longer playing baseball.