2021 Year-End Bear Tracks

The season could be summed up by looking at the overall season record of their opponents. BHP’s opponents were 64-33. In that, there were three undefeated teams, four region champions, and only one opponent who did not make the playoffs (Pendleton from Region 1 - AAA). Playing these teams forced BHP to play their absolute A+ game each week. Coupled with a relatively young team, this task was just too tough this season.

However, in the seemingly never-ending gauntlet, BHP had some great wins. The first came in the first week of the season. BHP hosted Westside and these teams slugged it out for 48 straight minutes. And with only 78 seconds left in the game, BHP marched 64 yards and put Peter Bertoni in place to make the game-winning 20-yard field goal. After Westside tried to ice the un-iceable, Bertoni stepped up and with a follow through with his leg gave BHP their first victory of the season.

After that high of a start, BHP came back to Earth as their next win did not come until the 4th game of the season. Coming off losses against Powdersville and T.L. Hanna and after multiple reschedulings, BHP faced the Woodruff Wolverines. BHP jumped out to a 22-0 lead at halftime. BHP then just held on for the rest of the game as Woodruff came all the way back, but BHP would end up winning 29-21.

BHP would then host the reigning AA state champion, the Abbeville Panthers. BHP would fall again and would not be able to string wins together.

BHP would then open their region play as they traveled to Pendleton. In a game where BHP outmatched their opponent from start to finish, BHP got their third win of the season. This week BHP was able to accomplish a feat that is rarely done. BHP was able to produce three 100 yard rushers along with a 100-yard receiver.

BHP would then head to Greer in a non-region game in the middle of the region play. BHP would once again not be able to string wins together as they fell to Greer to bring their season record to 3-4.

As the Bears came back to region play, they hosted the Seneca Bobcats. In a game that for the most part decided who would get the third and fourth playoff seeds from the region, BHP played their best all-around game this season. Although BHP trailed at halftime 30-27, BHP outscored Seneca 34-8 in the second half.

Coming off their best win of the season, BHP traveled to Wren for their ninth game. This game would turn out to be the game of the season. I could still write a full post about this game, however, as a football fan, it had everything you wanted. But the two most memorable plays came in the last two times BHP touched the ball. Down by 7, BHP intercepted the Wren pass with 1:16 left in the game and returned it for a touchdown. BHP would then go for two to try to win the game. BHP would run the Bear equivalent of the Philly Special, but as the reverse came back to pass the ball to the open quarterback, the ball fell short and so did the Bears’ hopes for the win. With this loss, BHP, for the most part, locked in the third seed in the region.

BHP would finish the regular season against the undefeated and inevitable region champ, the Daniel Lions. For the first time in nearly two decades, BHP only won four regular-season games.

Even with how the regular season ended, BHP had the chance to right the wrongs in the playoffs. The Bears traveled to Chester in the first round of the playoffs. The game seemed to slip away early. But as this team did all season, they clawed nearly all the way back, but in the end, the Cyclones were just too much for the Bears. And just like that, the season ended.

With no context, some will see the season as a disappointment. And based solely on record, that could very well be true. However, effort and competitiveness was high in each game and every game was extremely close at points. Also, a lot of underclassmen got meaningful playing time which will only help the program as a whole in the next few years. And yes, the future is bright at BHP.

BHP Team Totals

Team Rushing: 522 rushes for 2,687 yards and 29 TDs
Team Passing: 68/148/11 for 1,146 yards and 11 TDs
Team Total: 670 plays for 3,833 yards and 40 offensive TDs

BHP Individual Leaders

Rushing Leader: Marquise Henderson - 94 rushes for 892 yards and 9 TDs
Passing Leader: AJ Pendleton - 68/143/10 for 1,140 yards and 11 TDs
Receiving Leaders: Nevada Billups - 24 receptions for 583 yards and 8 TDs
Defensive Leader: Jamias Gleen - 23 Solo Tackles, 19 Assist, 4 Hurries, 8 TFLs, 3 Sacks, 1 Blocked Kicks, 2 Fumble Recoveries, 2 Pass Breakups, 1 Defensive Score

Players of the Year

Offensive: Marquise Henderson
This was a tough call coming down between two players, AJ Pendleton and Marquise Henderson. However, I will give this award to Marquise Henderson for what he adds to the offense with his explosiveness. When a player averages 9.5 yards per carry on almost 100 carries it is hard not to recognize his performance.

Defensive: Jamias Glenn
Just as with the offensive award, this came down to two players for me, Jamias Glenn and Razel Scott. Scott put up a great season with 32 total tackles, 10 pass breakups, and 4 interceptions. But, I feel Glenn stepped up just a hair more. With 42 total tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 4 hurries, 3 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, and even a defensive score, Glenn was the top defensive player for the Bears this year.

Special Teams: Peter Bertoni
This selection was the easiest of the three awards. Although BHP had plenty of good specialty players, Bertoni was able to directly add points to the Bears’ total, and not to mention hit the game-winning field goal against Westside. Bertoni ended the season 12 for 13 in PAT attempts, 3 for 4 in field goal attempts, and averaged 41.3 yards per kickoff.

Conclusion

The season may not have concluded as Bear fans would have scripted, however, this season should leave us with a bright outlook for upcoming seasons. Yes, BHP will be graduating some very integral players but we got a glimpse of what is to come and the type of talent waiting in the wings. And if we know anything about this program, if the players take the offseason seriously they will come back bigger, stronger, and faster and that should scare any team in the state.

Big Thanks

As I do every year I end the season by thanking everyone that had a part in it. Although I end the season this way, there is no way we could start, endure, or end a season without the immense help we get.

To start I want to thank Coach Blackston and the entire football program. I thank you for allowing us to follow along and have an outside part in BHP Football.

Next, to the school as a whole, thank you for your support for the football program, especially the Athletic Department, principals, and district administration.

Thank you to our sponsor for the year, Stadium Traditions. I wear my shirts from their site nearly every day and absolutely love them. Plus, thank you for how you allow us to put out content for Bear Fans.

As with every year, we get to share press boxes with Joel, Allen, and Chandler Kay, as they broadcast the radio program. I do thank you for the help you all give and the kind words you say.

I have to acknowledge my mom for the boiled peanuts she would send and the text telling my dad to quiet down because she could hear him on the radio.

Thank you to my dad. As some who have followed this year in and year out, you know my dad has helped with the statistics for BHP football for about 15 years. I only started helping in 2013. However, I just want to say thank you to him. Some people have hunting or fishing they enjoy doing with their fathers, well mine is Friday night football.

Lastly, and as always, the one above everyone else does more to help keep ThemBears.com going, my wife. No matter how late on Tuesday I get her the post to read or how early I have to head out to the games on Friday night, she is supportive. As you may take away from our weekly Bear Tracks post, I am not gifted enough to put into writing how much I am thankful for her and how much she means to me.

With that, we head off to hibernation and put this season behind us. I hope you enjoyed our content this season and no matter what just remember HOW BOUT THEM BEARS!