As the last seconds of the clock ticked down, the August heat rested on the shoulders of a kicker with ice in his veins. And with a snap, hold, and a swing of a leg, BHP took the lead for good 23-20 over the Westside Rams.
In the grand scheme of BHP football, the game against Westside probably meant very little. It was not the most important, the best played, or for a championship, but I would argue it may well have been the most needed win in BHP history. Coming off a year that produced a result that no Bear fan wanted and that was probably the hardest for players and coaches in the 2020 season, this first game was the first step of putting that behind us. Along with that, Bear fans filled the stands! After last season’s limit on attendance, a nearly full stadium was a welcomed sight and one that really gave an edge to the team. Lastly, the win and how the Bears won gave hope to Bear fans that this team will be one that could make a playoff run later this season.
No matter how exciting and necessary the win against Westside was, that has to be behind the team now as we have to remember the Babe Ruth quote: “Yesterday's home runs don't win today's games.” BHP will have to play even better this week if they want to win against Powdersville this Friday night.
Week 2 Preview
As BHP tries to put the elation of the win Friday night behind them, they turn their focus to another Anderson County school in Powdersville.
Powdersville is also coming off a big win, although the margin of victory was larger than BHPs. Powdersville beat Broome 46-28 last Friday. Powdersville trailed 22-17 at halftime but scored 21 points in the 3rd quarter and put the game out of reach. Even in the win, Powdersville allowed 491 total yards (350 passing and 141 rushing).
Powdersville will be looking to score and score fast, and the matchup between their offense and BHP’s defense will be what will determine the outcome.
2019 Game Stats (Last Matchup)
Score: BHP 49 -- Powdersville 9
BHP Yardage:
Team Rushing: 37 rushes for 340 yards and 5 TDs
Team Passing: 8/19/1 for 128 yards and 2 TDs
Team Total: 56 plays for 468 yards and 7 TDs
Rushing Leader: #25 RJ Ellis - 14 rushes for 156 yards and 1 TD
Passing Leader: #14 Logan Milford - 8/17/1 for 128 yards and 2 TDs
Receiving Leaders: #2 Tyler Fields - 3 receptions for 32 yards
Defensive Leader: #40 Joseph Sloan - 27 defensive points, 5 first hits, 2 assists, 2 solo tackles, 1 TFL
Powdersville Team Yardage:
Team Rushing: 38 rushes for 112 yards and 1 TD
Team Passing: 7/20/4 for 57 yards
Team Total: 58 plays for 169 yards and 1 TD
Rushing Leader: #9 Kiundre Hunter - 22 rushes for 94 yards and 1 TD
Passing Leader: #15 Cole Bracken - 5/17/4 for 46 yards
Receiving Leaders: #14 Brain Lawery - 2 receptions for 20 yards
Quick Stats
- Before the game against Westside, the last time BHP was penalized 5 times or less in a game was week 6 in 2018 vs Walhalla.
- BHP and their opponent have combined for less than 60 penalty yards only twice since 2014 (2021 vs Westside - 47 and 2015 vs Union County - 52).
- The 15 penalty yards were 83% less than their season average last season.
- BHP is 4-0 all-time against Powdersville.
- BHP has never scored less than 32 points against Powdersville.
- BHP gained 16 first downs against Westside, the most first downs in a game last season was 16.
- BHP gained 227 yards on 13 plays that went for 10 or more yards against Westside.
- 31% of BHP’s rushing first downs came in the 3rd quarter.
- All of BHP's top 3 rushers last week averaged over 5 yards per carry.
- Coach Blackson is 5 wins away from 100 career wins at BHP.
Conclusion
BHP played an extremely hard-fought game against Westside, but that was last week. With that, BHP will have to be up to the task again because this Powdersville team is the best in school history. BHP has to play with the same intensity and physicality as they did last week and continue the discipline play pertaining to penalties and turnovers. It will be interesting to see how this team plays away from home (all-be-it, still in Anderson County).
Prediction: BHP 35 - Powdersville 21
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