As we close in on the 2019 season we turn our view to the returning players we expect to have a huge role this season. BHP has starters returning all over the field, but the returning strengths are in the offensive and defensive backfield. With multiple 2018 All-Region player, a running back in striking distance of most rushing yards all-time at BHP and multiple college prospects returning the 2019 season looks to be very promising. Here is the list of BHP's top returning players from the 2018 season.
#25 - RJ Ellis
Ellis comes into the season as the bell-cow of the Bear offense. Ellis enters the season in the top ten all-time career rushers at BHP and only 726 yards from becoming the 2nd leading rusher in BHP history.
Ellis holds many of the top rushing performances in BHP history. He has eleven 100 yard rushing games, four 200 yard rushing games and only eight career games with less than 100 yards rushing. He also has two of the ten most rushing yards in a single game in BHP history (2017 vs Powdersville - 266 rushing yards and 2018 vs Palmetto - 261 rushing yards).
Ellis will look to bounce back from a season that started with a serious injury and to cap off an impressive career. Although his 2018 campaign was delayed, Ellis put up impressive region stats and was awarded an All-Region designation. He will look to exceed those accolades and lead BHP to another region title and deep into the playoffs.
2018 Season
Rushing
| Rushes | Rush Yards | Avg | Rush TD | Rush Fumb | Rush Fumb Lost | Receptions | Rec Yards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 153 | 881 | 5.76 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 11 | 62 |
Career
| Rushes | Rush Yards | Avg | Rush TD | Rush Fumb | Rush Fumb Lost | Receptions | Rec Yards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 412 | 2295 | 5.57 | 24 | 8 | 7 | 24 | 190 |
#5 - Jaquez Dixon
Jaquez Dixon was one of three running backs who shared the ball carrying load last season. With RJ Ellis sidelined at the start of the season, Dixon took the reigns and was the leading rusher in the first five games of the season.
Dixon is one of ten BHP rushers since 2014 to have over 100 rushes in a season and average over 5 yards per carry. With that, Dixon will look to expand his role at running back and other positions throughout the team this season.
| Rushes | Rush Yards | Avg | Rush TD | Rush Fumb | Rush Fumb Lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 102 | 582 | 5.71 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
#20 - Jeremiah Johnson
Jeremiah Johnson was the third part of the three headed rushing attack the Bears used last season. Johnson provided the most memorable and important run last season. With 8 minutes left in the game against Daniel, Johnson took the handoff and rumbled 59 yards for a score. This happened the series after Daniel scored their 3rd touchdown and only trailed by 7 points. This started to shift momentum to the Daniel sideline. This run slammed the door shut and clenched BHP’s 11th region title. Also, it was the longest rush of the season by any Bear rusher.
Johnson brings a powerful but surprisingly nimble running style that compliments the offense very well. BHP will look to Johnson as a change of pace rusher and one they can rely on to not fumble and pound opposing defenses this season.
| Rushes | Rush Yards | Avg | Rush TD | Rush Fumb | Rush Fumb Lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68 | 390 | 5.74 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
#21 - Braylon Oliver
Braylon Oliver returns as the most explosive offensive weapon BHP will be able to wield this season, however his primary position is on the defensive side of the ball. Even with that, Oliver has put up standout receiving numbers.
Last season Oliver led all receivers in receiving TDs with eight and had the highest yards per reception average (30.07 yards per reception) all while only having 15 receptions. Also, 8 of his 34 career receptions have gained 40 or more yards and all 8 scored a TD. All but one of his career receiving TDs have come from a 30 or more yard pass.
Along with his offensive stats, Oliver was a standout on defense. He was third on the team in pass breakup and solo tackles last season. He also had one of the two defensive TDs. His true position is in the defensive backfield where he was awarded an All Region designation, but we hope to see those deep routes for scores a lot this season.
Receiving
| Receptions | Rec Yards | Rec TDs | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 451 | 8 | 30.07 |
Defense
| 1st Hit | Assist | Solo | CaFumb | Int | PBUBB | TD | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 8 | 26 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 153 |
Career Receiving
| Receptions | Rec Yards | Rec TDs | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 769 | 11 | 22.62 |
#11 - Demetrius Byrd
Demetrius Byrd returns as one of the top defensive players for BHP. Byrd tied for the team lead in fumbles caused and fumbles recovered last season.
Byrd also excelled on special teams where he was second in kickoff returns and yards and led the team in punt returns and yards. He also had a touchdown as both a punt and kickoff returner, the only Bear to do that last season.
BHP will be leaning on the experience in the defensive backfield to lead the team and Byrd will be a key part of that.
Returns
| Kickoff Rtn | Kickoff Rtn Yards | Punt Rtn | Punt Rtn Yards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 177 | 6 | 46 |
Defense
| 1st Hit | Assist | Solo | Sack | CaFumb | ReFumb | PBU-BB | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 16 | 20 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 160 |
#6 - Joseph Sloan
BHP returns Joseph Sloan who was the undisputed leader of the defense last year. He led the team in 1st Hits, Assisted Tackles, Solo Tackles, Total Tackles, Hurries and Total Defensive Points. He was also third in sacks and second in tackles for loss.
With that came an All Region recognition.
BHP will be relying on Sloan to anchor another defensive group and provide the outstanding production we have come to expect.
| 1st Hit | Assist | Solo | Hurry | TFL | Big Hit | Sack | PBU-BB | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 46 | 41 | 7 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 323 |
#7 - Semaj Groves
Semaj Groves is another returning Defensive Back with extensive playing experience. Groves tied for the most interceptions and had the second most pass breakups for the Bears last season.
With all of the returning Defensive Backs for the Bears, teams should have a hard time throwing against them and Groves is a key part of that.
| 1st Hit | Assist | Solo | Int | PBU-BB | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 8 | 18 | 2 | 7 | 115 |
#34 - Will Blackston
Will Blackston was named All Region last season and will be one of the only returning defensive linemen. However, his returning presence will be essential for the Bears.
Last season Blackston was 3rd on the team in sacks and 5th in total defensive points. BHP will be looking for a defensive anchor from Blackston and with another year’s progression, it will be expected.
2018 Stats
| 1st Hit | Assist | Solo | Hurry | TFL | Sack | BlkKick | ReFumb | PBU-BB | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | 14 | 13 | 3 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 172 |
#40 - Devan Bolt
BHP returns their top two linebackers from last season’s team and Devan Bolt is one of them. Bolt was second in total Defensive Points and Assisted Tackles last season and had one of the two defensive touchdowns.
Bolt, paired with Joseph Sloan, will have to pick up where they ended last season plus some. BHP is turning to these experienced defensive players to be the steadying force and Bolt will play a major role in that.
2018 Stats
| 1st Hit | Assist | Solo | Hurry | TFL | ReFumb | Int | TD | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | 27 | 23 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 193 |
#23 - Wes Newton
Wes Newton rounds out the returning defensive backs. Newton was fifth on the team in Assisted Tackles last season. BHP will look to Newton to progress with the other Defensive Backs and defense as a whole to allow BHP to get back to the dominating defense of the past.
| 1st Hit | Assist | Solo | TFL | CaFumb | ReFumb | Int | PBU-BB | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 20 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 115 |
#66 - Clay Bratcher
Clay Bratcher led the offensive line and was named All Region last season. BHP will look to Bratcher as the offense will want to lean on the running game extensively.
#82 Anthony Bertoni
Last season Anthony Bertoni took over PAT duties from one of the most decorated kickers in BHP’s history. Bertoni was very constant and provided the extra points for the Bears only missing two and having one blocked in 37 attempts last season. BHP will look to continue that continuity.
| Made | Missed | Blocked | Attempted | Conv % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 2 | 1 | 37 | 91.9% |
Conclusion
These are the core players BHP will be expecting carry the team far this season. We are super excited to see how these players progress and make this season a special one.
Who do you think will have the largest impact this season? Who will be the MVP of the team?
Just ONE WEEK away and we cannot wait to see the Bears in action. Make sure to stay up to date and get notified when our posts are out by following us on Facebook and Twitter.
Sponsored By: Exceeding Sports
Exceeding Sports is a solutions company dedicated to elevating high school athletic programs through strategic consulting services and innovative application development. With a focus on culture cultivation, program strategy, and data-driven decision making, ExSp provides the tools and expertise needed to foster successful, impactful sports programs, creating a positive and enriching environment for student athletes.
Learn More
Comments