2022 Round 1 Bear Tracks

BHP faced Wren in the last game of the regular season with a home playoff opportunity in the balance. Coming off the one-point loss last season to Wren, BHP would be looking to avenge that loss this season.

From the start, BHP could not be stopped on offense. The Bears scored on every possession except for two, and one of those started with only 23 seconds left in the half. The Bears ended with over 300 rushing yards and more than double the time of possession. The Bears dominated on offense led by a huge performance by AJ Pendleton.

The Bear defense showed the same dominance in the first half as well, only allowing 65 total yards in the first half. The Hurricanes switched quarterbacks and that change gave the Bears some trouble in the second half, but even with the switch, BHP only allowed 184 total yards in the second half.

BHP finished off the regular season in the way that they did most of the entire season. Now the Bears turn their focus back to Walhalla as the playoffs begin.

Round 1 Preview


And now the real season starts. With their only loss this season coming in region play to Powdersville, BHP finished second in the region and secured a home playoff game. With that, the Bears will match up against Walhalla who finished third in Region One.

BHP matched up with Walhalla earlier this season and outmatched the Razorbacks throughout the entire game. Walhalla finished the season 6-4 and 3-2 in their region. Their wins came against Chesnee, Southside, Palmetto, Crescent, West-Oak, and Pendleton, while their losses came against, Woodmont, BHP, Daniel, and Seneca.

Although BHP has played and dominated Walhalla, this matchup puts the Bears in a strange predicament. This will only be the fifth time BHP will play an opponent for the second time in one season since 2000. Of the previous four rematches (2019 Greenville, 2009 Clinton, 2008 Clinton, and 2004 Clinton) BHP is 1-3 in those games, the only win coming in the 2004 State Championship season. I will caveat that Walhalla is in no way as good as those other teams, but rematches hold different challenges than a normal matchup.

Along with the rematch factor, we all know the pressure and stakes that the playoffs bring. There is no room for slip-ups. Every game must be prepared for and played as if it could be the last. This includes not looking past any opponents. It is so easy for fans to look at Walhalla as an easy win and start looking toward most likely Clinton. But Walhalla is the opponent, and you can only play one opponent per week. The Bears have to put the outside noises away and play the most complete game of the season and only build on their regular season accomplishments.

One note that is an absolutely huge positive for the Bears is how BHP has started so many underclassmen. Early in the season, this could be seen as a liability, but with ten games under their belt, those underclassmen are now basically a football year older. This experience is now an asset and BHP can rely even more on these underclassmen.

I feel BHP has the edge in every aspect of the upcoming game. They have to have the mentality of a champion at this time and show their dominance early and often in the game Friday.

2022 Game Stats (Last Matchup)


Score: BHP 44 -- Walhalla 8

BHP Yardage:


Team Rushing: 33 rushes for 246 yards and 2 TDs
Team Passing: 17/20/0 for 214 yards and 4 TDs
Team Total: 51 plays for 460 yards and 6 TDs

Rushing Leader: #18 Marquise Henderson - 11 rushes for 101 yards and 1 TD
Passing Leader: #7 AJ Pendleton - 17/18/0 for 214 yards and 4 TDs
Receiving Leaders: #19 Drew Taylor - 9 receptions for 89 yards
Defensive Leader: #2 Omari Jackson - 7 assists, 2 solos, 6 first hits, 1 int, and 34 defensive points

Walhalla Team Yardage:


Team Rushing: 31 rushes for 149 yards and 1 TD
Team Passing: 13/22/1 for 121 yards
Team Total: 53 plays for 270 yards and 1 TD

Rushing Leader: #15 Bryce Payne - 13 rushes for 59 yards and 1 TD
Passing Leader: #15 Bryce Payne - 13/22/1 for 121 yards
Receiving Leaders: #1 Nathaniel Collins - 7 receptions for 61 yards



Quick Stats

 



Note To Fans

 


If you have read any of our posts in the last few years, well since we started the Bear Tracks posts at all, you will know we steer far away from any criticism. But after Friday night against Wren, we need to address one thing.

The atmosphere in the stadium and in the stands was so low that it felt like a preseason game. The game against Wren was Senior Night, the last game of the regular season, and had playoff implications. None of that seemed to make a difference to the Bear fans.

This team is special and they deserve so much support. These two communities have a rich history of supporting the team, but last Friday was not one of them.

I heard a lot of complaining about the personal fouls that BHP committed, but in my view, at least someone had the emotion to get fired up.

I say all that to lead up to this plea. Bear fans please show up early, create a buzz in the pregame, and get into the game and BE LOUD! Make a BHP home game one that no one wants to face. BHP has a unique opportunity that other teams do not have. Two towns united to pull for one team and that passion can help the team win games.

Depending on how the playoffs play out, this Friday could be the last home game of the season, so please Bear Fans, make it a special atmosphere and give this team the energy to dominate.

Conclusion


And as fast as Marquise Henderson sprints for an 80-yard touchdown, this regular season has come to an end. And what a run it has been, but the run needs to continue. The teams start to be more talented and the stakes are as high as ever as the playoffs start. And the Bears have to answer the call every week.

Prediction: BHP 35 - Walhalla - 12

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Go Bears!

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