On a beautiful night with not a cloud in the sky, the Bears traveled to tame a Hurricane last Friday night. BHP took on Wren Friday night in a game that for the most part determined the second-place team in the region and a home playoff game. And the game certainly lived up to its billing. The only word that could describe it would be “special”. special teams, special players, a special outcome, and special play calls (going for 2 on the last touchdown is what we all want our coaches to do - trust in the players and give them an opportunity to win outright). Although the Bears came up just short, they showed just how special they can be.
But now, the focus has to quickly turn to their last opponent of the regular season, the Daniel Lions. And it seems the schedule saved the best for last.
Week 11 Preview
The regular-season finale culminates with this game, BHP vs Daniel. For Bear fans, this matchup is one that is circled every year. First, BHP has played Daniel the second most of any team, only three games behind Palmetto. Second, this game historically has determined the region championship. But even when that is not on the table when these two teams meet, the rest of the state takes notice. Friday night will not be different.
Daniel is undefeated this season (8-0, and 3-0 in the region). Their wins came against Easley, Duluth (GA), Hendersonville (NC), Walhalla, Emerald, Seneca, Pendleton, and Wren. Daniel has outscored their opponents 382 to 83 this season and 126 to 23 in the region. The only point to be made in the negative against Daniel is their opponents have a combined 30-37 record, and only two teams have winning records on the season. Compare that to BHP’s schedule where the Bears’ opponents are 51-29 with three undefeated teams and only two teams with a losing record.
No matter the opponents, Daniel, in my opinion, is a top-five team in the state at any classification (maybe only behind Dutch Fort and Gaffney, but I am sure T.L. Hanna would have something to say as well). Nevertheless, a ranking does not win games, play on the field does. BHP has been trending upward and has improved so much from earlier in the season. BHP will have to continue to be effective on first downs, convert drives into touchdowns, eliminate special team mistakes, and keep getting takeaways on defense in order to put themselves in a place to get the upset Friday Night. Daniel will be the best team BHP faces all season. But remember, in every game this season except for Hanna, BHP has either led at halftime or trailed by only one score. If BHP puts together their normal first half and matches it in the second, the Bears have a chance.
2020 Game Stats
Score: BHP 14 -- Daniel 52
BHP Yardage:
Team Rushing: 37 rushes for 181 yards and 2 TDs
Team Passing: 6/10/1 for 18 yards
Team Total: 47 plays for 199 yards and 2 TDs
Rushing Leader: #2 Tyler Fields - 13 rushes for 76 yards and 1 TD
Passing Leader: #2 Tyler Fields - 6/10/1 for 18 yards and 1 TD
Receiving Leaders: #15 Nevada Billups - 3 receptions for 28 yards
Defensive Leader: #7 AJ Pendleton - 4 solo, 2 assist, 2 TFL, 24 defensive points
Daniel Team Yardage:
Team Rushing: 29 rushes for 124 yards and 1 TD
Team Passing: 19/26/0 for 336 yards and 6 TDs
Team Total: 55 plays for 460 yards and 7 TDs
Rushing Leader: #2 Jackson Crosby - 4 rushes for 38 yards and 1 TD
Passing Leader: #16 Trent Pearman - 15/18/0 for 299 yards and 5 TDs
Receiving Leaders: #15 Eli Merck - 6 receptions for 127 yards and 2 TDs
Quick Stats
- BHP is 20-31 all-time against Daniel and 20-29 when in region play.
- This Friday’s matchup will be the 52nd game between BHP and Daniel. BHP has only played Palmetto more (55 games).
- Since 2000 either BHP or Daniel has won the region 18 out of the 21 years.
- Last week against Wren was the 3rd game where BHP scored 40 or more points and lost (the other two were 2012 vs AC Flora 42-59 and 2011 vs Seneca 51-55).
- BHP ran 49 offensive plays against Wren. This was the 14th game since 2014 that BHP ran less than 50 plays and they are now 10-4 in those games.
- Wren ran 71 plays against BHP last Friday. That was the 11th time since 2014 that an opponent ran 70 or more plays against BHP. BHP is 7-4 in those games.
- Nevada Billups is now the 5th receiver since 2014 to gain 500 or more receiving yards.
- In the first 5 games of the season, BHP scored 12 offensive touchdowns. In the last 4 games, BHP has scored 23 offensive TDs.
- BHP has forced a turnover in all but the Abbeville game this season.
- In 3 of the last 4 games, BHP has rushed for over 300 yards. BHP did not do that in any of the first 5 games of the season.
- BHP has not thrown a 3rd quarter passing TD.
- BHP’s Eli Strickland needs 2 receptions to tie for 10th most career receptions at BHP, and Nevada Billups needs 8 to get to 10th all-time in career receptions.
- BHP’s Marquise Henderson needs 339 more rushing yards to have 1,000 for the season.
- BHP’s AJ Pendleton needs 221 more all-purpose yards to be 10th on the most all-purpose yards in a season at BHP.
Conclusion
Here we are, the last game of the regular season. As in all things in life it goes by quicker than expected. Nevertheless, the Bears get one more shot as a region rival.
Please Bear Fans, come out to the game on Friday. Cheer loud and often and do all you can to boost these Bears.
Prediction: BHP - 32 -- Daniel - 20
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