Like his uncle Garrison Hearst, who was on the cover of "Madden 99," Beard put up video-game numbers, going for 189 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. He scored the opening touchdown before moving the chains all night with an average of nine yards per carry.
As a freshman Beard played at Hearst's alma mater,
Lincoln County (Lincolnton, Ga.). He had 375 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns. On defense, he had 75 tackles and two interceptions.
The sophomore four-star recruit was named to the
Preseason MaxPreps Sophomore All-America team this week.
Beard is rated as the No. 92 prospect in the nation according to
247Sports. He has 13 offers including Alabama, Arkansas and Georgia, the alma mater of his uncle.
Hearst won the Doak Walker Award with the Bulldogs before being selected as the No. 3 overall pick of the Arizona (then Phoenix) Cardinals in 1993. As a member of the 49ers in 1998, his 96-yard game-winning touchdown gallop in overtime against the New York Jets was named by the NFL as one of the 100 greatest plays in the first 100 years of the league. Hearst finished his career with 7,966 rushing yards across a decade in the NFL.
Prince Avenue Christian is looking to win its third consecutive state championship this year and continues the season Aug. 24 against North Carolina power
Mallard Creek (Charlotte).
Andrew Beard of Prince Avenue Christian rushed for 189 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries in a 35-28 win over West Forsyth on Thursday. The nephew of All-Pro running back Garrison Hearst is a four-star in the Class of 2027. (Photo: Jordan Scruggs/247Sports)
