On a frigid winter night, on a field neither team called home, two squads lined up for a chance to extend their seasons. One team in their first season, the other in their 58th, but both carried the weight of history—and the longing of a community—on their broad, collective shoulders. When the final whistle blew and number three had the ball in the end zone, it was the BHP Bears who roared victoriously. For the first time in 20 years, they had claimed the Upper State Championship.
The cold has rolled into South Carolina, a chill that bites at the edges of ambition and hope. But let me tell you, no frost or freeze could dampen the fire that burns in Them Bears. In fact, last Friday night, that fire erupted into a blaze so fierce it scorched its way into BHP history, delivering BHP to its fourth Upper State Championship game ever—a feat steeped in sweat, grit, and the kind of unrelenting determination that doesn't shiver in the face of cold or doubt.
Maybe it’s the creeping chill of November nights, the early sunsets that dim our collective energy, or the mounting tension of a season narrowing to its peak—but the wait for Friday nights feels endless. Monday mornings stretch into eternity, Tuesday is a second Monday in disguise, and the climb to 7:30 p.m. Friday feels more like scaling Everest without oxygen than counting down days. But as sluggish as last week’s Friday arrived, the contest between BHP and Palmetto was over before you could blink.
Round Two of the 3A playoffs is here—win, and the season continues; lose, and it’s over. For the 59th time, BHP faces Palmetto, but this Friday feels different. The Bears' biggest opponent isn’t across the field; it’s themselves. Can they rise to the moment and prove they’re the team we’ve believed in all season?
The Bears finished their 2024 regular season the same way they began it—dominating, merciless, and at home. But now, with this final victory in the books, what lies ahead isn't just another game. It's about history. It's about legacy.
With the playoffs just a week away and the Bears enjoying a well-earned week off, it's time to take a stroll through the landscape of contenders, both upstate and lower state, who will be battling for this season's 3A State Championship. Not all seeding is set in stone at the time of writing, but that's what makes this so exciting—the anticipation, the hope, and yes, the unpredictability. I’ll walk you through each team, from top-seeded favorites to underdog scrappers, giving a quick breakdown without sticking my neck out with actual predictions.
Now, shifting gears to this week. It’s big. The Bears have their sights set on one goal: the region championship. The stakes are up, engines are revving, and the atmosphere’s crackling with energy. For BHP, this isn’t just about a title; it’s about history. Another win means the first back-to-back region championship since 2006—a chance for this team to cement itself as something truly special. So Bear Fans, grab your seats early. Get loud. Cheer for every yard and every tackle. From the Bear Walk to the Bear Rumble, the night’s shaping up to be a classic—an all-out BHP blockbuster, and you’ll want front-row seats to every moment.
Here we are again, Bear fans. The nights are turning crisper, the kind of crisp that lets you know the season is changing—both the one on the calendar and the one on the football field. Darkness creeps in earlier, and with it, the truth about championship teams starts to reveal itself, like a secret whispered in the wind.
Bear fans, buckle up! After a mid-season bye week and a storm that feels like it blew straight out of Noah’s Ark, your Bears are back on track and revved up for the second half of the season. Before we dive into the upcoming face-off against Crescent, let’s rewind and break down how the season has shaped up so far. It's been one for the record books, but there’s still a lot of football left to play.
It’s the middle of the season, and Them Bears have a rare moment of stillness with an open week, but don’t think for a second we’d leave you without your BHP Football fix. Consider this the calm before the storm (maybe we should have thought of a better saying after what we all went through last week), a chance to pull up a chair, refill your sweet tea, and let’s take a step back to admire what we’ve seen so far—and let’s just say, we’ve seen a lot. This week, I’m going to lay out a few of my thoughts and observations from the first half of the season. Oh, and did I mention we have a surprise guest? That’s right, we’re bringing in someone with some serious BHP insight, so settle in and get ready for an off-week edition of Bear Tracks.