2023 Week 10 Bear Tracks

Hey there, Bear Fans, we find ourselves in Week 10, and oh boy, do we have a showdown coming up. Last week, Them Bears handled business, taking down Southside and setting the stage for a thrilling regular-season finale that'll determine the Region Championship. BHP is gearing up for a short trip to Wren, where all the marbles are up for grabs.

Let's breeze through last week's game, which, for the most part, was a breeze itself. BHP wasted no time, scoring on the very first play from scrimmage. By the end of the first quarter, our Bears were sitting pretty with a 34-point lead. Midway through the second quarter, both squads agreed to employ a running clock, and in the second half, BHP only had the ball for a couple of offensive possessions.

Now, while I'm all for having good sportsmanship and not running up the score, prioritizing player safety, and all that jazz, I can't help but feel a bit disappointed. You see, BHP missed out on the chance to pile up those impressive stat lines. Given that they were starting most of their drives near midfield, coupled with the running clock, they only managed to rack up 254 total yards. Just to put it in perspective, their average coming into this game was a whopping 475 yards per game. It’s no one’s fault, though; it's just that numbers and averages are my thing, and seeing a stat that doesn't quite match up with the historical run is, well, a tad disheartening. But hey, a win is a win, no doubt about it.

So, after that resounding 44-0 victory over Southside, BHP is putting its undefeated record on the line as they gear up for the winner-take-all Region Championship clash against Wren. It's going to be one for the books!

Shout Outs:


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

Everybody! Everybody gets a shout-out!

Week 10 Preview


The stage is set, folks! BHP's got that pristine undefeated record and a shot at their 12th regional championship. As big as those clashes with Westside and Powdersville were, this one's got the real keys to the championship kingdom, and I'm chomping at the bit!

Now, let's talk about the opponent for this title tango: the Wren Hurricanes. They're rolling in with a 5-4 overall record, but here's the kicker, they're a perfect 4-0 in the region. Wren kicked off the season with one of the most brutal non-conference schedules in the Palmetto state. I mean, their non-conference opponents sport an eye-popping combined record of 37-8! Just to put it in perspective, BHP's non-conference foes? They're a combined 18-28. Yep, it's been a dogfight for Wren.

They kicked things off against Georgia's Jefferson County, and even though they fell 30-14, those guys are a beast at 8-0, sitting pretty at #2 in the GA 5A rankings. Then came Seneca, where they won 48-30, but here's where it gets tough. The meat grinder portion of their schedule hit them like a sledgehammer. Losses to TL Hanna, Byrnes, and Hillcrest followed, and let me tell you, those are some heavyweights in high school football.

But then, my friends, they hit the region scene like a hurricane (pun intended). They laid waste to Fountain Inn 42-7, dropped a 50-burger on Southside, and stomped Palmetto 40-7. And last week, they made the trek to Powdersville and walked away with a 42-39 victory, setting the stage for this epic showdown with the Bears for the undisputed Region Championship.

Now, let's talk strategy. Wren's helmed by Anthony Frate, a newcomer to the head coaching gig at Wren but no stranger to success, coming from the powerhouse that is Hillcrest. Frate's got these Hurricanes looking like a different beast this year. Their defense, especially those linebacker positions, is rock-solid.

And their offense? Well, it's a marvel of balance. They've racked up over 1,500 rushing yards and tossed for over 1,100. Keep your eye on Colten Bagwell, the Hurricanes' QB. He's the main offensive maestro, clocking in with over 1,000 yards through the air and another 900 on the ground. We all know how much a dual-threat quarterback can wreck a defense, especially if it’s not buttoned up. Hopefully, the Bears can slow him down.

For BHP, there are two burning questions leading into this showdown. First, after three games where they imposed a running clock, can the offense fire up from the get-go against a stout Wren defense, or will it take a bit of time to rev up the engine? We've seen our offense hit top gear all season, but can they keep it there for the entire game?

Second, can the Bear defense put the brakes on this Hurricane offense, which is a whole different beast than anything they've faced recently? This type of balance and dual threat at QB is one that BHP has not faced this season.

No more fretting about playing down to the competition; it's time to unleash the fury. This is about claiming that region championship, and Them Bears should be aiming to light up that scoreboard while keeping the Wren points at bay. When the Bears hop back on that bus after the game, you can bet your bottom dollar you'll hear "How Bout Them Bears" echoing through Anderson County!

2022 Game Stats (Last Matchup)


Score: BHP 34 -- Wren 21

BHP Stats:


Team Rushing: 63 rushes for 344 yards and 4 TDs
Team Passing: 7/13/0 for 83 yards and 1 TD
Team Total: 76 plays for 427 yards and 5 TDs

Rushing Leader: #7 AJ Pendleton - 19 rushes for 148 yards and 2 TDs
Passing Leader: #7 AJ Pendleton - 7/13/0 for 83 yards and 1 TD
Receiving Leader: #4 Eli Strickland - 4 receptions for 30 yards
Defensive Leader: #25 Jordan Johnson - 4 Solo, 1 Assist, 1 Hurry, 1 TFL, 1 Pass Break Up, and 26 defensive points

Wren Stats:


Team Rushing: 30 rushes for 182 yards and 2 TDs
Team Passing: 7/11/0 for 67 yards and 1 TD
Team Total: 41 plays for 249 yards and 3 TDs

Rushing Leader: #30 Reese Price - 14 rushes for 108 yards and 1 TD
Passing Leader: #15 Colton Bagwell - 4/5/0 for 62 yards and 1 TD
Receiving Leader: #2 Braden Brinnicker - 2 receptions for 45 yards


Quick Stats

 



Team Stat Milestones:



Wrap Up


Bear fans, it's all coming together this week - an unbeaten season at stake, a shot at the region championship, the potential for extra home playoff action, and a chance to cement legacies. I'm absolutely pumped to witness the Bears go head-to-head with Wren this Friday, and this game isn't about records or milestones; it's about one thing – winning!

Prediction: BHP 55 - Wren 21

Just a note: I noticed last week that some folks opted for watch parties instead of making the trip to Southside. Given the opponent and the weather, that decision made sense. But this week, it's a whole different ballgame for the Bears. Let's rally together and fill those old concrete stands at Wren High School. We've got a colossal Bear victory to witness, and you can't afford to miss it!

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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