2022 Week 5 Bear Tracks

Another week, another Bear win!

Last week I opened the Bear Tracks post talking about an ugly win over Woodruff. This week we can talk about a win over Emerald that was anything but ugly! In the game against Emerald, BHP played their most well-rounded game of the year. From the offense scoring on four consecutive drives to a defense that held the Vikings to less than 100 yards in 3 quarters, BHP dominated from start to finish.

(But here comes the but) However, as well as the team played it never felt dominant. The offense scored 35 points with four different rushers scoring a TD, but stepping back it never felt like a rhythm was found. It might have just been me, but a 29-point win never felt so boring. And let’s not forget that last week I said it is important to not get bored with what is working. I need to remember that too. I hope we never get bored with winning.

So HOW BOUT THEM BEARS!

Now with four down, BHP will turn their attention to Walhalla for the last non-conference matchup of the year.

Week 5 Preview

BHP will host the 3-1 Walhalla Razorbacks this Friday night. Walhalla is coming off three straight wins, Chesnee 42-30, Southside 50-25, and last week against Palmetto 32-22. Their only loss came in the season opener against Woodmont 54-34.

As you can tell by the scores listed, Walhalla has no problem scoring, averaging over 39 points per game. This will be the biggest test for the Bear defense, especially the pass defense.

Another aspect of the Walhalla team that the Bears will have to contend with is their ability to cause takeaways. The Razorbacks had 3 takeaways against Palmetto and 4 takeaways against Southside. It will be vital for the Bears to limit Walhalla’s ability to stop drives with takeaways and protect the ball on offense.

On the reverse, BHP needs to force turnovers Friday night. Against Emerald, BHP had 0 takeaways which was the first game that happened this season. This defense is talented and athletic enough to force multiple takeaways a game and each game has had opportunities to force interceptions. The old football adage says turnovers come in bunches and I hope this defense gets bunches this Friday night against Walhalla.

This brings us to the most important storyline for this Friday’s game. Fans and bystanders may look ahead to next week’s matchup against Powdersville, but in order to stay undefeated, this game and this week have to be the only one that matters for BHP. The Bears are in a place to make a statement and that statement can be made this week if they stay focused on Walhalla, not Powdersville.

2019 Game Stats (Last Matchup)

Score: BHP 41 -- Walhalla 6

BHP Yardage:

Team Rushing: 39 rushes for 414 yards and 4 TDs
Team Passing: 4/8/0 for 38 yards and 1 TD
Team Total: 47 plays for 452 yards and 5 offensive TDs

Rushing Leader: #25 RJ Ellis - 17 rushes for 354 yards and 4 TDs
Passing Leader: #14 Logan Milford - 4/8/0 for 38 yards and 1 TD
Receiving Leader: #21 Bralyn Oliver - 1 reception for 35 yards and 1 TD
Defensive Leader: #7 Semaj Groves - 5 solo tackles, 3 pass breakups, 1 INT, and 37 defensive points

Walhalla Team Yardage:

Team Rushing: 35 rushes for 138 yards and 2 TDs
Team Passing: 14/26/2 for 175 yards and 1 TD
Team Total: 61 plays for 313 yards and 3 TD

Rushing Leader: #6 Zaire Scotland - 19 rushes for 115 yards and 2 TDs
Passing Leader: #7 Corey Loggins - 14/26/2 for 175 yards and 1 TD
Receiving Leader: #12 Parker Kelly - 4 receptions for 42 yards and 1 TD

Quick Stats

• BHP is 23-5 all-time against Walhalla.
• Of the 28 games, BHP has played Walhalla, 13 times BHP has shut out the Razorbacks.
• Under Coach Blackston, BHP has outscored Walhalla 413 to 62 (averaging scoring 51.6 points per game and allowing 7.75 points per game).
• BHP has had at least 3 rushing TDs in every game this season.
• BHP is averaging 5 fewer plays per game while averaging nearly 40 more yards per game.
• Of the 136 total points scored for BHP, 47 have been scored in the last 4 minutes of the 1st half and the first 4 minutes of the 2nd half, or 35.6% of points.
• In the last 4 minutes of the 1st half and the first 4 minutes of the second half, BHP has allowed only 13 points.
• BHP has scored 3 or more rushing TDs in every game this season.
• Only 8% of BHP’s opponents' rushing yards come in the 3rd quarter while 25% of their attempts come in the 3rd quarter.
• BHP only has a +1 turnover differential (3 turnovers and 4 takeaways).
• BHP has scored 15 rushing TDs while only allowing 3 rushing TDs this season.
• BHP is allowing only 98.5 rushing yards per game, 29% less than last season.
• BHP has 4 rushers averaging 5 or more yards per carry with 10 or more rushes (Marquise Henderson, Shaheem Robbs, AJ Pendleton, and Justin Lathon).
• BHP has only caused 1 INT this year (against Westside).
• BHP’s Marquise Henderson is averaging 10.58 yards per carry this season.
• AJ Pendleton is now 9th all-time in career passing yards with 1,567.

Conclusion

And in the blink of an eye, we are nearly halfway through the regular season. And via wins, the Bears have been perfect. But each Friday brings a new test and a new contender trying to bring Them Bears down. This Friday night the Razorbacks get to rumble with the Bears and the Bears get another chance to make a statement.

Prediction: BHP 42 - Walhalla 21

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Go Bears!