2022 Week 6 Bear Tracks

Just like that, we are halfway through the regular season, and just like that BHP is 5-0 on the season.

BHP finished their non-region schedule with a 44-8 win over Walhalla. The Bears sailed through against the Razorbacks gaining over 200 yards through the air and on the ground. And as was the case in previous weeks, as good as the offense played the defense played just as well. Holding a Walhalla team averaging nearly 40 points per game to 8 is a statement in itself.

The other statement made last week was how explosive this team could be all over the field. Getting the playmakers the ability to make plays in space was on display last week. In a game where Marquise Henderson was limited (in relation to his ridiculous standard), BHP was able to get him the ball on passing plays and he took two for touchdowns.

We have made it this far and haven’t even brought up AJ Pendleton’s night. He attempted 18 passes and only one did not connect with his receiver. With those passes, the team gained 214 yards and scored 4 TDs. In the Week 5 Bear Tracks, we said that the game against Emerald was the best win BHP had put together all season and now we believe that the game against Walhalla is the most well-rounded win all season.

One of the most impressive aspects of the win last week was the ability of the Bears to stay focused on Walhalla. BHP will play one of the biggest games in the state this week and it could have been very easy to overlook the Razorbacks, but that did not happen.

Like we said, another week another Bear win! But now the biggest test of the season.

Week 6 Preview

It all leads to this. BHP will take the short Anderson County trip up to Powdersville. This matchup, in my opinion, will decide the winner of the region.

Powdersville comes into the game with a 4-1 record, with their only loss coming to Hillcrest (who could be the best team in the state) 37-35. Before that game, Powdersville rattled off wins against Broome 47-23, Abbeville 51-44, Mauldin 41-20, and Pendleton 49-10. Averaging 44.6 points per game and allowing 26.8 points per game. Powdersville is one of the absolute best teams in all classifications and BHP will not play another team as good as the Patriots until the Bears are deep into the playoffs.

Powdersville will look to get their star running back, Thomas Williams, the ball any way they can. In their win against Abbeville, Williams had 117 yards rushing on 12 carries with 2 TDs. But he also gained 93 yards on 2 catches in the passing game. He is one of the most dynamic players in the state and just containing him will be the biggest test of the season.

Along with Williams, Powdersville’s QB Eli Hudgins has put up major numbers as well. In that same game against Abbeville, Hudgins passed for 273 yards on 29 passes. Hudgins also rushed 14 times for 80 yards with 2 TDs. BHP has to make Powdersville one-dimensional, but with their ability to run and pass, the task is huge.

I feel there are three major points that BHP has to follow to get the win over Powdersville. One, be explosive and break big plays on offense. BHP has had 20 plays that gained over 20 yards and 8 of those plays scored a TD. BHP has to get players in space and let them break big plays.

Two, the defense has to limit Williams and the Powdersville rushing attack. Last season Williams rushed for 191 yards and 3 TDs in the game against BHP. Coming into this game BHP has only allowed a 100 yard rusher once this season. Limiting the rush game has to be a focus of the Bears.

Three, BHP has to win the turnover battle. Last season against Powdersville BHP threw a pick 6, another INT, and had a fumble on a kick return. Powdersville scored on all of the turnovers. BHP only lost by 15 points and the three scores off the turnovers accounted for the losing margin. On the season this year, BHP is +4 in turnover differential and that has to continue against Powdersville.

This will be the biggest game in 3A and maybe in all classifications this week. All eyes will be on the Bears and Patriots and there is no better time to make a statement that will echo from the foothills to the coastline.

2021 Game Stats (Last Matchup)

Score: BHP 19 -- Powdersville 34

BHP Yardage:

Team Rushing: 55 rushes for 210 yards and 2 TDs
Team Passing: 16/27/2 for 173 yards
Team Total: 82 plays for 383 yards and 2 TDs

Rushing Leader: #8 Shaheem Robbs - 18 rushes for 81 yards and 1 TD
Passing Leader: #7 AJ Pendleton - 16/26/2 for 173 yards
Receiving Leaders: #4 Eli Strickland - 5 receptions for 95 yards
Defensive Leader: #6 Rahzel Scott - 3 solo tackles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 INT, 19 defensive points

Powdersville Team Yardage:

Team Rushing: 24 Rushes for 203 yards and 4 TDs
Team Passing: 5/13/1 for 97 yards
Team Total: 37 plays for 300 yards and 4 offensive TDs

Rushing Leader: #21 Thomas Williams - 15 rushes for 191 yards and 3 TDs
Passing Leader: #16 Eli Hudgins - 5/13/1 for 97 yards
Receiving Leaders: #4 Drake Sloan - 2 receptions for 49 yards

Quick Stats

• BHP is 5-1 all-time against Powdersville.
• This season is the 7th time BHP has started a season 5-0 since 2000.
• All-time, BHP has averaged 38.4 points per game while allowing 18.6 points per game against Powdersville.
• BHP is 214-137-2 in region games all time and 47-17 in region games under Coach Blackston.
• Under Coach Blackston, BHP is 34-12 against Anderson County teams.
• Last season BHP averaged 1.9 turnovers per game, while this season they are averaging just 0.6 per game.
• BHP only had 1 negative yardage rush against Walhalla.
• BHP has outscored opponents 69-0 in the 3rd quarter this season.
• BHP has gained 20 or more yards 20 times while only allowing 9 (only one rushing).
• This season BHP has not allowed a point in 3 halves: 1st half against Emerald, 2nd half against Westside and Walhalla.
• Since 2014, BHP has only passed for 4 or more TDs in 3 games: 2017 - Blue Ridge, 2018 - Wren, and 2022 - Walhalla.
• The 3 kickoff touchbacks for BHP’s Peter Bertoni was only the 4th time since 2014 where BHP has had 3 or more kickoff touchbacks in one game.
• In 3 of the 5 wins this season, BHP has allowed only 1 offensive touchdown.
• BHP has increased their completion percentage from 46.6% last season to 70.3% this season or an increase of 50.7%.
• BHP is averaging 20.9% more penalties per game over last season.
• BHP’s Marquise Henderson has had at least one 50+ yard scoring play in every game he played this season.
• BHP is averaging 7.3 yard per play this season.

Conclusion

The conclusion, this is easy. BHP will face Powdersville in one of the biggest regular season games for BHP under Coach Blackston. Both teams ranked in the top ten of the 3A rankings last week and both teams have had outstanding seasons so far this season. All of this also adds even more to the realization that this for most purposes will determine the winner of the region and the #1 seed out of the region. The stakes could not be any higher for a regular season game. And with that, we cannot wait for The Bears to take the field and get the opportunity to let “How Bout Them Bears” ring out all around the state.

Prediction: BHP 34 - Powdersville 28

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Go Bears!

Game Note

I just wanted to add a quick call out to all Bear fans. Thursday night’s game will be one of the biggest games for BHP in recent years. Whatever you can do, make the short drive over to Powdersville and cheer on this team. Let’s take our home field advantage on the road and overtake the Patriot’s home turf.