2023 Round 1 Bear Tracks

Undefeated Region Champs! There's no better way to kick off this week's post than with that.

The Bears wrapped up the season with a resounding 51-14 victory over Wren, pushing their record to a perfect 10-0 and securing the region championship. Now, it's time to crank up the intensity to eleven as the Bears begin their Playoff journey, starting with a matchup against Emerald this Friday night at BHP.

Before we dive into the Round 1 preview, let's savor that exhilarating Region Championship victory from last week. Why don’t we start with what was perhaps the most impressive aspect of the night: the Bears' defense! BHP held Wren to just 167 rushing yards (if you exclude the 38 yards they managed to gain late in the game, we're talking about 43 rushes for 129 yards, averaging just 3 yards per carry). This feat is even more remarkable considering Wren's previous game, where they ran for over 400 yards against Powdersville. What stood out was that BHP's front seven accomplished this without consistently crowding the line of scrimmage with extra run stoppers. I'll delve deeper into this in the Shout Outs section, but stifling Wren's running game was the highlight of the night for the Bears, and this is coming from a game where the Bears scored TWO defensive touchdowns.

Now let's talk about those defensive touchdowns. The first was an electrifying 94-yard pick-six by Jett Jones, falling just a few yards short of tying a school record. Jett not only intercepted the pass but also showcased some impressive moves, following his blocks with precision and making guys miss, reminiscent of a certain BHP running back. This touchdown extended BHP's lead to 30-7, and at that point, it felt like a mountain too steep for the Hurricanes to climb.

The second pick-six, a 20-yard return by BHP's Shrine Bowl linebacker, Omri Jackson, came just 20 seconds after BHP went up 37-7, sealing the deal. The Bears, along with most followers of both teams, knew that if BHP could force Wren to pass, they'd be in a favorable position. And they were, indeed.

Now, onto the offense, which played a perfectly complementary game. Their dominance in the running game was as expected. That's the beauty of how BHP conducts its business: you have to dedicate so much attention and energy to tackling the likes of Henderson, Robbs, Lathon, Alexander, Paul, or any number of Bears on every single play. And if you let your guard down for even a moment or make a slight mistake, it's a touchdown. It's like a Run'n'Gun offense, but instead of throwing the ball downfield every play, they hand it off, and it seems like touchdowns just pop up. The prime example of this is Henderson's explosive 75-yard TD run on 4th-and-1. He had run the ball 20 times before that, and aside from one other long run to start the game, Wren managed to hold him to a below-average night (by his standards). But all it took was one opening, one step past the line, and Henderson showcased his speed, leaving everyone in the dust.

I've come this far without mentioning the most electrifying play of the game. Not only that but what a brilliant call by Coach Blackston. Wren punted with 1:55 left in the first half, but there was an offensive penalty on the play. To clarify, BHP could have taken the 5 yards from where the ball was punted to and started around the 25-yard line. However, Coach Blackston decided to have Wren re-kick, giving Qua a chance. And Qua seized that opportunity and took off like a rocket. 71 yards later, the Bears were celebrating on the sidelines. This play exemplifies how BHP excelled in all facets of the game that Friday night.

Last week, I predicted a 55-21 victory for the Bears, and while I was close to the final score, I couldn't have foreseen the manner in which the Bears dominated Wren. Yes, the Bears demonstrated that their offense can put points on the board against even a strong defense (scoring 4 offensive touchdowns). However, what they displayed on the defensive side of the ball should send shivers down the spines of other 3A teams across the state.

At the end of the night, there was a Gatorade bath, a region trophy, and a party going on in the stands. This team secured the school's 12th region trophy and only the 4th undefeated regular season in its history. I know they're not done yet and they have more goals they want to achieve, but congratulations are in order, and I hope they take a moment to savor this accomplishment. HOW 'BOUT THEM BEARS!

Shout Outs:


Every game there are a few guys that just...stand out. Here are my notables from the Wren matchup:

We show a lot of love to the offense most weeks, but this week it is going to be very, very, very defensive-heavy.

The Entire Defensive Line: These guys were on fire last Friday. Justin Lathon, Exavier Burns, Kylan Dixon, Eil Burns, Kamarion Glenn, and Ty Rainey – these names will be in the nightmares of Wren for a long time. First things first, they shut down the Wren running attack. I mean, we're talking about a duo that ran for over 400 yards the week before, and these guys held them to a measly 3.8 yards per rush. Talk about a lockdown. But wait, there's more. When it was time for passing downs, they turned up the heat. We're talking multiple sacks and a boatload of hurries. These guys set the tone and were a massive part of that victory over Wren.

Jett Jones: This dude made a play that could've been the game-changer. The Hurricanes were driving, and if they had scored, it could've cut the Bears' lead to just 10 points. But Jett had different plans. He read that out route like a seasoned pro, picked off the pass, and didn't stop there. Nope, he followed his blockers and took that interception back a whopping 94 yards, basically crushing any hopes the Hurricanes had.

Omri Jackson: This guy, who's been recognized with a Shrine Bowl selection, lived up to the hype. Alongside that fearsome defensive line, he played a pivotal role in shutting down Wren's run game. But he wasn't done there. With BHP up 34-7 and just 8 minutes left in the game, Omri decided to make a statement. He dropped into the passing lane, snagged the Wren pass, strolled 20 yards, and slammed the door shut on any comeback hopes. Game, set, match.

So yeah, folks, this week, let's tip our hats to the defense. They showed up, showed out, and brought home that Bear victory. Defense wins championships, and these guys proved that.

Round 1 Preview


Bear fans, there's more BHP football on the horizon. Even with a Region Championship in their pocket, these Bears hunger for more. The journey begins anew this week as they square off against the Emerald Vikings.

Emerald enters this showdown with a 1-9 record, with their lone victory over Union County. The Bears clashed with the Vikings earlier this season in Week 4 and handed them a resounding defeat, winning by 38 points. However, this game is a do-or-die situation, a loser-goes-home throwdown, and you can bet your bottom dollar that Them Bears don't want to go home early. Emerald, with nothing to lose, will undoubtedly aim to play the role of the spoiler on Friday night.

In their previous meeting with Emerald, the Vikings pulled off the best-rushing performance any opponent has had against the Bears all season. They racked up an impressive 263 rushing yards, spearheaded by the Key Hollaway. Hollaway not only secured the most rushing yards against BHP this season but also pulled off the longest run against our Bears. To contain the Vikings' ground attack, the Bears must bring the same level of intensity they displayed when facing Wren.

Staying true to what they do best is the key for the Bears. As I've said throughout this season, they cannot afford to play down to their opponent; they must adhere to their own high standard. Playoff distractions can creep in, particularly when one starts looking ahead. Nothing can derail a playoff run faster than losing focus. BHP must take it one game at a time, and my gut tells me that The Bears will do just that.

2023 Game Stats (Last Matchup)


Score: Week 4 - BHP 52 -- Emerald 14

BHP Stats:


Team Rushing: 27 rushes for 337 yards and 5 TDs
Team Passing: 9/14/0 for 138 yards and 2 TDs
Team Total: 41 plays for 475 yards and 7 TDs

Rushing Leader: #3 Marquise Henderson - 7 rushes for 211 yards and 2 TDs
Passing Leader: #7 Noah Thomas - 9/14/0 for 138 yards and 2 TDs
Receiving Leader: #6 Qua Alexander - 5 receptions for 66 yards
Defensive Leader: #Tye Kelly - 5 solo, 4 TFL (ties a school record), 39 defensive points

Emerald Stats:


TTeam Rushing: 46 rushes for 263 yards and 2 TDs
Team Passing: 6/12/1 for 37 yards
Team Total: 58 plays for 302 yards and 2 TDs

Rushing Leader: #7 Key Holloway - 25 rushes for 180 yards and 1 TD
Passing Leader: #17 Cody Scott - 4/8/0 for 35 yards
Receiving Leader: #7 Key Holloway - 1 reception for 18 yards



Quick Stats

 



Wrap Up


In the high-stakes playoff time Bear Fans, every move counts, and there's no room for error. BHP still has goals to accomplish ahead, but they can only check them off one game at a time, and it all kicks off right here! BHP is returning to the Bear's Den this Friday night and we need to fill that place to the brim!

Prediction: BHP 63 - Emerald 7

Bear fans, don't underestimate this first-round showdown. There's something unique about this team, and you'll want to witness every game they play. So, be sure to turn up and show your unwavering support for Them Bears on their home turf Friday Night.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Stay in the loop, folks. Because Friday, we will be dropping the GameDay Graphic and will be live Tweeting stats and highlights during the game.

One for the road, “How Bout Them Bears”

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