2023 Week 3 Bear Tracks

Hey, Bear Fans! So, another week in the books, another W on the board. This season's storyline is starting to remind me of that movie where you can't leave your seat because you're just dying to know what happens next. And what's this? An X-men twist? Tell me more!

Before we jump into the next matchup, let's rewind a bit on how BHP kept that record perfect against the Laurens Raiders. The Bears set the tone right from the start, punching in scores on their two initial drives. And, even though things became bogged down some, by the end, the game was won by four TDs. For some cherry on top moments? A bunch of Bears tasted their first varsity endzone action, sealing the game for the Bears.

Shout Outs:


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


So, Bear faithful, stay ready. If this season is a book, I can’t wait to read the next chapter. Onward!

Week 3 Preview


The ever-unpredictable season is rumbling forward like a freight train, and guess what? BHP is heading back home and the Woodruff Wolverines are next on the list.

Now, for those keeping score, Woodruff comes in with a 1-2 record. I mean, they laid the smackdown on Fountain Inn with a whopping 44-6 win. But, they hit a couple of road bumps, courtesy of Chapman and JL Mann with scores of 57-34 and 40-0. And just so you know, both Chapman and JL Mann are parading around in the top 10 of this week's media polls. But here’s the classic "Sports Talk Radio" twist: Remember last week when we expected to cakewalk over Laurens? Records, my friends, they can be deceiving. Halfway through their game with Chapman, Woodruff was trailing by just two measly points. But two interceptions – one leading straight to a Chapman TD and another being a pick-six – and suddenly, the gap's wider than the holes the Bear line makes for their running backs. Yet, kudos to Woodruff for holding the line against a top 3A squad.

Quick flashback to last season’s game versus Woodruff. BHP was ahead 20-14 at halftime. They managed to push their lead in the 3rd quarter, outdoing the Wolverines 14-0. But, classic Woodruff – they bring out those Adamantium claws, closing the gap with a 13-0 run in the 4th. The Wolverines’ comeback spirit? It’s like the mid-2000 Carolina Panthers (the Cardiac Cats), showing resilience, grit, and making their fans sweat every second.

For this game, I’d expect Woodruff to toss the ball skyward. But unlike Westside's big aerial ambitions, Woodruff's gonna keep it close to the line of scrimmage– quick outs and screens. Last season, that’s how they methodically worked down the field against BHP. And given the Bears' struggle with screens last week, it's gonna be like watching a prize fight.

Defensively, Woodruff's sporting a 3-4 defense setup. Now, you'd think facing just three guys on the line would be like a layup for the BHP run game. But the Wolverines’ agile linebackers? That's a face-off I'm popcorn-ready for come Friday night.

The bottom line - BHP needs to keep their heads in the game and their eyes on the prize. Woodruff has talent and grit, no doubt. But if BHP ups their ante, I’m betting on them to steal the show this Friday. Because in the end, BHP’s weapons all over the field will be too much for Woodruff. But trust me, in football, you never, ever take anything for granted (See Clemson vs. Duke on that).

2022 Game Stats (Last Matchup)


Score: BHP 34 -- Woodruff 27

BHP Yardage:


Team Rushing: 47 rushes for 282 yards and 3 TDs
Team Passing: 10/13/1 for 125 yards and 2 TDs
Team Total: 60 plays for 407 yards and 5 TDs

Rushing Leader: #3 Marquise Henderson - 12 rushes for 119 yards and 2 TDs
Passing Leader: #7 AJ Pendleton - 10/13/1 for 125 yards and 2 TDs
Receiving Leaders: #4 Eli Strickland - 4 receptions for 61 yards and 1 TD
Defensive Leader: #34 Kenard McGlotten - 7 first hits, 3 Assist, 1 Solo, 1 FB recovery

Woodruff Team Yardage:


Team Rushing: 23 rushes for 75 yards and 1 TD
Team Passing: 22/43/0 for 233 yards and 3 TDs
Team Total: 66 plays for 308 yards and 4 TDs

Rushing Leader: #21 Bryant Whiteside - 16 rushes for 35 yards
Passing Leader: #15 Carson Tucker - 21/42/0 for 185 yards and 3 TDs
Receiving Leaders: #2 Nemo Cochran - 6 receptions for 82 yards and 2 TDs


Quick Stats

 



Let’s Get Crazy


Hey, sports fans, guess what? We're a mere two games deep into this rollercoaster of a season, but, you know me, I can't resist. Let's play the 'What If' game and stretch these numbers out. Let’s go on a wild ride and project today's stats straight through to that final whistle of the regular season. I mean, why not? We've seen crazier things in sports, right? Buckle up!

Marquise Henderson
Current Stats: 39 rushes for 403 yards and 6 TDs.
Projections: 195 rushes for 2,015 yards and 30 TDs (would be the second-most rushing yards in a season)

Shaheem Robbs
Current Stats: 38 rushes for 238 yards and 2 TDs.
Projections: 190 rushes for 1,190 yards and 10 TDs

Team Rushing
Current Stats: 100 rushes for 762 yards and 11 TDs.
Projections: 500 rushes for 3,810 yards and 55 TDs (3,810 would be the most all-time for season rushing yards)

Tye Kelly
Current Stats: 5 assisted tackles, 10 solo tackles (15 total tackles), 55 defensive points
Projections: 25 assisted tackles, 50 solo tackles (75 total tackles), 275 defensive points

Qua Alexander
Current Stats: 11 receptions for 112 yards
Projections: 55 receptions for 560 yards (55 receptions would be 3rd all-time in receptions in a season)

Wrap Up


Week 3 has rolled in, and folks, let me tell ya... BHP is rolling down the right path right now! And as for this week they’re squaring off against a scrappy Woodruff squad that's not just going to sit down and roll over. But let’s keep it 100: with playmakers galore, we are just waiting to add to that BHP highlight reel.

Prediction: BHP 42 - Woodruff - 17

Being back on home turf, the BHP crowd is going to bring that Bear energy. Remember the atmosphere during the Westside game? Expect that times ten. So here's some friendly advice: show up, be LOUD, and let’s make the whole state hear “How Bout Them Bears”.

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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