We are finally here, Game Week! Although later, with more uncertainty, and altogether stranger than we would have wanted, we have made it to the first game week of 2020. I would expect you may feel as I do, something as simple as Bear football on Friday night is a welcomed distraction from our ever-mounting world issues.
With that, let's jump into this week’s Bear Tracks post and turn our focus to football and Friday’s matchup against Pendleton.
Historical Week 1 Stats
Historically BHP has started the season with a win, having a 35-19 record all-time in Week 1 games. Since 2010 BHP has been outright dominant with a 9-1 Week 1 record with the only loss coming in 2012 to Laurens (20 - 17). This season brings yet another twist as BHP opens the season with a region match-up. For the first time since 1969, BHP will kick off the season with a region opponent. BHP is 1-2 all-time in Week 1 region games.
Previous Games Against Pendleton
This Week 1 match-up will be the 11th meeting between BHP and Pendleton, and BHP has never lost to the Bulldogs. In the 10 previous match-ups, BHP has won by an average of 28 points per game. In that, BHP has also dominated Pendleton on defense. Pendleton has only scored 14 or more points three times against BHP (2019 - 21, 2018 - 28, 1996 - 20).
Last Season vs Pendleton
Even with the historical dominance, BHP has seen over Pendleton, last season’s match-up showed one of the closest match-ups between the two teams. Pendleton was able to limit BHP’s rushing game and held the Bears to the second least rushing yards in a game all season (194 rushing yards vs Pendleton - first was 139 against Wren). However, BHP turned to the air and passed for the second-most passing yards in a game last season (213 passing yards vs Pendleton - first was 293 against Wren).
BHP did play very well on defense against Pendleton last season, causing the most sacks in a game, most total team defensive points in a game, and they blocked two kicks.
Pendleton did show an impressive passing game. The Bulldogs passed for 244 yards (third-most against BHP last season) and completed 25 pass attempts, which was the most against the Bears last season. This was mostly out of necessity because BHP held Pendleton to 14 total rushing yards on 20 rushes which was the least given up by BHP all season.
2019 Game Stats
Score: BHP 42 -- Pendleton 21
BHP Yardage:
Team Rushing: 37 rushes for 194 yards and 4 TDs
Team Passing: 12/17/1 for 213 yards and 2 TDs
Team Total: 54 plays for 407 total yards
Rushing Leader: RJ Ellis - 17 rushes for 124 yards and 1 TD
Passing Leader: Logan Milford - 10/14/1 for 182 yards and 1 TD
Receiving Leader: Tyler Fields - 5 catches for 101 yards and 2 TDs
Defensive Points Leader: Will Blackston - 43 defensive points, 3 TFL, 2 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles
Pendleton Yardage:
Team Rushing: 20 rushes for 14 yards and 1 TD
Team Passing: 25/37/2 for 244 yards and 2 TDs
Team Total: 57 plays for 258 yards
Rushing Leader: Amir Dendy - 16 rushes for 37 yards and 1 TD
Passing Leader: Kameron Jones - 25/37/2 for 244 yards and 2 TDs
Receiving Leader: Bobby Spear - 7 catches for 107 yards and 1 TD
Conclusion
The season is finally here and Bear football will hopefully give us some normalcy to our Friday nights. Unlike most seasons (and how can the 2020 season be anything like a normal season) BHP does not have the luxury of opening the season with an out of conference opponent. BHP must come prepared for a region match-up out of the gate which would be hard any season. Not to mention having to host an up and coming, pass-happy team like Pendleton.
We have seen the Bears struggle in the preseason scrimmages so far this season, so we have some hesitation going into the season. We want to see BHP start to clean up the offensive struggles, tackling issues, missed assignments on defense, and get a win to start the 2020 campaign.
Remember how the wise old saying goes, “You have to win the first one to win them all” and that is exactly what BHP will be playing for this Friday against Pendleton.
Prediction: BHP 35 - Pendleton 17
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