Hey there, Bear Fans! Them Bears kicked off their playoff journey in style last Friday night, taking on the Vikings from Emerald. The outcome? A resounding 63-7 victory, propelling BHP to the next round against Pendleton. The playoffs are heating up, and this week presents a monstrous challenge for BHP.
Before we dive into the Round 2 preview, let's take a quick minute and review that Emerald showdown. This marked the second meeting of the season between these two teams, and you know what they say – it's tough to beat the same team twice in one season. Well, it seems the Bears didn't get the memo. In a season where the ground game has been the focal point, BHP's Noah Thomas etched his name in the school record books with a remarkable 5 TD passes against the Vikings. The only thing that stopped Noah and the offense was the lack of yardage in front of them.
Now, let's talk about Thomas' targets. While Qua Alexander had a standout performance, he wasn't the sole star of the show. Tay Paul, Eli Satterfield, and Ryan Lee all found the end zone on passes from Thomas. It's worth noting that despite BHP’s reputation as a run-heavy team, the passing game has been surprisingly effective this season, with as many passing TDs as BHP had all of last year.
Speaking of the rushing attack, it's still alive and well. BHP racked up 277 rushing yards and punched in 4 TDs – slightly below BHP’s season average, but hey, when there is a running clock in the second quarter due to a lopsided score, it's tough to pad those stats.
Now, let's shift our focus to the defensive side of the ball. Once again, the Bears’ defense shone brightly. BHP held the Vikings to a mere 7 points, with their lone score coming on a long run. Take away that one run, and BHP allowed a mere 149 total yards, averaging just 3.5 yards per play. But here's a little something that often goes unnoticed – the defense's ability to induce offensive penalties. Emerald committed 3 holding and 2 illegal procedure penalties, a testament to the Bears defense's ability to put pressure on the opposing offense and force them into unfavorable situations.
The Bears certainly put on a show against Emerald, but let's be real – that was the expected outcome. Now, as we move deeper into the playoffs, the competition gets tougher, and average performances won't cut it anymore. It's time for the Bears to step up and prove why they're considered one of the top teams in the state. The road ahead won't be easy, but that's where champions are made. Go Bears!
Every game there are a few guys that just...stand out. Here are my notables from the Emerald Round 1 matchup:
Noah Thomas: Five touchdowns in a single game, tying a school record – that's the kind of performance that leaves you speechless. But let's not just leave it at that; allow me to expound upon it. Noah adds a whole new dimension to the offense. His ability to connect with pinpoint accuracy and maturity brings explosiveness to the passing game, which in turn elevates the running game. Noah's growth as a player has been nothing short of remarkable.
Qua Alexander: Qua has solidified his position as Noah's go-to target, and he's been steadily climbing the all-time season receptions list, currently just one reception away from the third spot. What's truly impressive about Qua is his unwavering concentration. Take his first touchdown catch from Friday's game as an example – the ball just managed to clear the defender, and with a little bobble, Qua not only secures the catch but also manages to get both feet inbounds for the touchdown. That's the kind of focus that makes a difference.
Colby Bates: Colby had a standout performance against Emerald, contributing with five solo tackles, one assist, and an interception. He led all Bears with defensive points and made crucial plays to seal the deal for the Bears.
The Bears have cleared the first hurdle on their playoff journey and now find themselves eyeing the formidable Pendleton Bulldogs as their next challenge. Trust me, folks, this matchup demands BHP’s undivided attention.
Pendleton strides into this showdown sporting an impressive 9-2 record, securing the second seed from Region 1. Their only blemishes came at the hands of Powdersville, a 56-40 loss, and Daniel, who bested them 56-28. However, don't be fooled; they've been tearing through the competition with victories over Dixie, Eastside, Fountain Inn, Palmetto, West-Oak, Seneca, Crescent, Walhalla, and Travelers Rest. Averaging 47.3 points per game, 327.9 passing yards per game, and 82.1 rushing yards per game for a grand total of 410 yards per game, these numbers are simply video game-esque. Brace yourselves, folks, because this offense is the most daunting test the Bears have faced all season.
Leading the charge for Pendleton is their exceptional signal-caller, Luke Gary. Gary, a seasoned senior, has racked up mind-boggling stats: 3,094 passing yards, 44 TDs, and a completion rate of 70.2%. He's not just leading his team; he's leading the entire state in passing yards and TDs. Gary's top two go-to targets, Kory Jones (1,193 receiving yards and 14 TDs) and Abijah Webb (921 receiving yards and 13 TDs), are the stuff of nightmares for opposing defenses. Jones is the classic outside wide receiver, combining speed and height that will test BHP’s secondary. And Webb? He's a new breed of wide receiver, resembling a running back while running routes. His ability to rack up yards after the catch is something to behold, folks. Alongside this dynamic trio, let's not forget their starting running back, LJ Maddox, who is a dual-threat dynamo with 382 yards receiving, 404 yards rushing, and 14 total TDs. The Bulldogs boast a veritable arsenal of offensive weapons.
But wait, there's more! On the defensive side of the ball, Pendleton deploys a scheme that the Bears haven't seen much of this season: a 4-man front, well in essence. This Bulldog defense excels at applying pressure and making plays in the opponent's backfield, amassing an impressive 116 tackles for loss. They've got four players with double-digit TFLs, and their defensive leader, Trent Garner, boasts 16.5 TFLs, 6.0 sacks, and 11 hurries. BHP’s offense is in for a real challenge.
There's another wrinkle Pendleton brings to the table that BHP hasn’t encountered much this season: their 2-point conversion plays. They like to run the swinging gate, setting up their playmakers for one-on-one matchups and quick conversion attempts. To thwart these conversions, the Bears must align correctly and make critical stops when necessary.
So, how can the Bears secure a victory? Well, first and foremost, they need to control the game by running the ball effectively. It's no secret; the Bears have to pound the rock. While Marquise Henderson will undoubtedly make his mark, it might just be Shaheem Robbs and the offensive line that hold the key to a Bear victory. The plan is simple: wear down the Bulldogs, make them regret tackling the BHP runners, and lean on Robbs to maintain possession, keeping the ball away from Gary and the Bulldog offense.
On the defensive side, the Bears must excel in making plays in open space. Pendleton aims to get their playmakers on the move, engaging the defenders one-on-one. The Bears must execute proper technique, keeping great eye discipline and maintaining coverage while making open-field tackles when needed. Additionally, the defensive line must apply pressure on Gary, making his life uncomfortable in the pocket. This task requires fewer extra rushers and a focus on collapsing the pocket from the line.
Lastly, winning the mental game is essential. The Bears must resist underestimating this formidable opponent or looking ahead. They must maintain an unwavering focus on every single play because this Pendleton squad can strike at any moment. Remember, they were leading just 20-16 with a little over 6 minutes left in one game and then finished with a 41-16 victory. Emotions must be controlled and channeled positively, as we've seen how things can escalate when passion takes over, as we witnessed last week.
There's no need to emphasize it, but I'll do it anyway: this is the biggest game of the season, plain and simple. All the pressure is squarely on the Bears, while Pendleton will approach this contest as if it were their Super Bowl. This matchup boasts the most combined wins (20) between any two teams in the 3A playoffs. At this stage, only outstanding performances will secure victories, folks. It's do or die, and the Bears must bring their A-game in order to get by Pendleton.
Score: BHP 53 -- Pendleton 27
Team Rushing: 48 rushes for 385 yards and 4 TDs
Team Passing: 7/16/0 for 192 yards and 3 TDs
Team Total: 64 plays for 577 yards and 7 TDs
Rushing Leader: #3 Marquise Henderson - 10 rushes for 144 yards and 2 TDs
Passing Leader: #7 AJ Pendleton - 6/13/0 for 186 yards and 3 TDs
Receiving Leader: #15 Nevada Billups - 3 receptions for 104 yards and 2 TDs
Defensive Leader: #10 Brock Turner - 6 solo, 3 assists, 1 pass breakup, and 28 defensive points
Team Rushing: 17 rushes for 55 yards
Team Passing: 20/42/3 for 276 yards and 4 TDs
Team Total: 59 plays for 331 yards and 4 TDs
Rushing Leader: #4 Kendal Turmon - 12 rushes for 30 yards
Passing Leader: #14 Kameron Jones - 20/42/3 for 276 yards and 4 TDs
Receiving Leaders: #24 Abijah Webb - 7 receptions for 102 yards and 1 TD
It’s playoff football folks, and it doesn’t get bigger than this! Here we've got two powerhouse teams squaring off in the crisp November air. With a whopping 20 combined wins under their belts, this showdown ranks as one of the most tantalizing matchups in the entire state. BHP is on a roll, riding high on an undefeated season and an impressive unbeaten streak against Pendleton. My gut tells me they'll keep that momentum alive and keep the playoff march heading straight to Orangeburg!
Prediction: BHP 56 - Pendleton 30
Hey, Bear Fans, listen up! We need the Bears Den to be bursting at the seams. Not a single empty seat in the house, and I want folks lining that fence like it's 2004. We're talking high school football at its absolute finest on a Friday night, and it's up to us to create an atmosphere that's second to none. Let's rally behind this team and help push them to victory!
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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