2024 Bye Week Bear Tracks

It’s the middle of the season, and Them Bears have a rare moment of stillness with an open week, but don’t think for a second we’d leave you without your BHP Football fix. Consider this the calm before the storm (maybe we should have thought of a better saying after what we all went through last week), a chance to pull up a chair, refill your sweet tea, and let’s take a step back to admire what we’ve seen so far—and let’s just say, we’ve seen a lot. This week, I’m going to lay out a few of my thoughts and observations from the first half of the season. Oh, and did I mention we have a surprise guest? That’s right, we’re bringing in someone with some serious BHP insight, so settle in and get ready for an off-week edition of Bear Tracks.

4 Observations I’ve Made So Far This Season

1) The Defense

It’s a bit early to start ordering championship rings, but let’s take a moment to appreciate this year’s defense, which has been as impenetrable as Fort Knox. Aside from one outlier game against Westside, BHP has clamped down, allowing opponents a mere 10 points per game. We’re talking about a defense that lives to see negative yardage plays — and they’re piling those up like pancakes at a Sunday breakfast.

The defensive line has turned into a bone-crushing unit. Kylan Dixon’s been a revelation — twice, he’s racked up four tackles for loss in a single game, tying the school record. It’s the kind of disruptive performance that leaves offensive coordinators tossing and turning at night. Add in Kamarion Glenn’s 15 tackles, Justin Lathon’s 13, and Ty Rainey’s 21, and you’ve got a front line that’s essentially saying, “Thou shalt not run.”

And then, of course, there’s the linebacking corps, playing like they’re trying to make this season’s highlight reel. Ty Kelly? He does everything but sell popcorn. He’s already put up 32 tackles, 5 TFLs, a sack, a fumble recovery, and an interception — all he’s missing is the partridge in a pear tree. Not far behind him, Jakyri Anderson has practically matched his production with 26 tackles, 4 TFLs, and a glorious pick-six. And while these two get most of the notoriety, Patrick Sloan and KJ Miles bring the speed and versatility that keeps this defense shifting between bruising run-stuffers and tenacious pass defenders. Combined, these linebackers have amassed 111 total tackles, 14 TFLs, 7 hurries, 3 sacks, 2 interceptions, and even two defensive touchdowns. It’s the kind of stat line that looks like it belongs in a video game — and yet, here they are, racking up these numbers in real time.

And we’d be remiss if we didn’t at least mention the secondary. Tajeh Watson-Martin and Colby Bates have been quietly handling business, too. With 15 and 22 tackles, respectively, they’ve been instrumental in run support and have shut down opponents' air game. You know you’re looking at a lockdown unit when your team hasn’t allowed a passing touchdown in the second half all season. Even more impressive? Just four passing TDs allowed overall. That’s old-school football in a world that’s been taken over by air raids and high-flying offenses.

All told, this defense has managed to do the unthinkable in modern football: it has consistently shut do



2) Offensive Firepower

Ah, yes. Marquise Henderson, the star, the flash, the undisputed king of explosive plays in the state. He's shown that time and again this season—no question about it. But peel back just a layer or two, and you start to see that BHP's offensive firepower isn’t a one-man show. In fact, it’s more like a carefully choreographed ensemble piece. Let’s shine the spotlight on the rest of this supporting cast.

I've mentioned it in previous editions of Bear Tracks, but the backfield depth on this team is staggering. MJ Earle, for instance, has a running style that mirrors Henderson’s in a way that feels almost uncanny. They both have that perfect balance and a knack for threading the needle between the tackles. Sure, once they hit the open field, you can tell who’s who, but MJ stepping up as the #2 back has kept this offense dynamic, fluid, and unpredictable, no matter who’s lined up with the QB. Not to mention, his presence frees up Justin Lathon to bring his talents to the defensive side of the ball. But let’s be real, when Lathon’s number gets called on offense, he brings something special—a rare combination of power and agility. He’s got hips that move like a salsa dancer, and the defense never quite knows what hit them.

And then, of course, we have Malachi Hester, Ketorus Cowan, and DJ Barr, who all bring a different flavor to the ground game, especially when it's time to wear down the defense in the later stages of the game.

Now, Noah Thomas—that’s where things get intriguing. Last season, Noah’s ground game stats barely registered: just 26 rushes for a total of 18 yards. This year? He’s got 27 rushes for 164 yards. And let me tell you, this guy doesn’t shy away from contact. A power back at quarterback? That’s like finding a unicorn on the 50-yard line. It’s no wonder defenses look a little lost when he tucks it and takes off.

But let’s look beyond the backfield, shall we? Out wide, you’ve got Tajeh Watson-Martin. Picture a gazelle—long strides, lightning-fast—tearing down the sideline. That’s Tajeh. He made a name for himself as a cornerback last season, but now he’s a dual threat. 14 catches, 397 yards, 5 touchdowns—do the math, and that’s 28.4 yards per catch, with a touchdown every three receptions. Not too shabby, huh? And he’s not the only one making waves. James Moore and Ryan Lee are emerging as essential pieces in the aerial attack. James has 9 catches for 147 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Ryan has hauled in 6 catches for 156 yards and 2 TDs. These guys are stretching the field and turning route trees into a full orchard.

Now, the stats don’t lie, but they don’t tell the whole story either. Sure, some might look at the numbers and claim this offense has taken a step back compared to last season. The total yardage might not look as gaudy, but here's the twist: BHP has been running 12 fewer plays per game. And yet, they’re averaging 9.1 yards per play—a yard and a half more than last season. If they were clocking the same number of plays, they’d be sitting at a ridiculous 495 yards per game: 343 rushing, 151 passing. That rushing pace alone would obliterate last season’s single-season rushing record in just a dozen games.

When this offense is on, they’re a thing of beauty. They haven't disappointed this season. If there’s one downside, it’s that they score so quickly, it’s hard to savor. But hey, who’s complaining?



3) Penalties

So, you thought I was only here to highlight the good stuff? Well, buckle up because this one’s impossible to ignore. BHP is racking up penalties like it's their side hustle—an average of 10 flags per game, costing them a whopping 85 yards. In four out of their seven games, they were flagged 10 times. And look, I'm all for aggressive play, but when you start treating yellow flags like they're yardage markers, we’ve got a problem.

Now, let’s break this down. I’ll admit, some of these penalties? They’re born from BHP’s sheer dominance. You’ve got your guys out there, absolutely overwhelming their opponents, and sometimes, it seems like the refs can’t handle it. It’s like, "Oh, you’re too strong? That must be holding!" And don’t get me started on the "illegal this" or "chop block that." Some of it could pass for good, hard-nosed football. But, at the end of the day, penalties are penalties.

Now, let’s dig into the numbers. Out of those 73 penalties, BHP has tallied 32 pre-snap infractions, clocking in at 156 yards. We’re talking about 14 offsides, 13 illegal procedures, 3 delays of game, an illegal shift, and 1 illegal substitution. These are the "we should’ve known better" fouls, the ones that stick out on the tape as careless or just plain sloppy. If they can clean these up even just cut them in half, they’d be down to around eight penalties per game—an easy 20% reduction right there.

Then, we’ve got the in-play penalties. BHP has collected 26 of those for 258 yards. That’s 15 holding calls, 3 pass interferences, 2 blocks in the back, 2 facemasks, 2 illegal man downfield calls, 1 chop block, and 1 targeting. Look, these are a bit tougher to erase. They’re the result of playing hard, of pushing the envelope. When you’re up against a team that’s playing at the edges, sometimes you’ll dip a toe over the line. Sure, if it’s a technique issue, it needs to be fixed. But asking players to worry about this mid-play? It’s a recipe for hesitation, and hesitation is worse than any penalty in football.

And finally, the crown jewel: dead-ball penalties. BHP’s picked up 15 of these for 190 yards. We’re talking 8 personal fouls, 5 unsportsmanlike conducts, and 2 sideline infractions. Now, for most fans, this is the big one. The issue that’s hardest to swallow. These aren’t penalties that come with an asterisk or a backstory—they’re just unnecessary. But let’s be honest, isn’t there a little part of you that appreciates this? The swagger, the edge, the chip on their shoulder? This is a team that’s not content to just play; they want to compete, they want to dominate. Sometimes, that comes with a price.

In the end, can BHP right the penalty ship? That’s the big question. When you’re out-matching your competition by a mile, you can afford a flag or two, or 10 no problem. But as the games get tighter, those little infractions? They’ll have a way of growing into full-blown crises. Here’s hoping penalties don’t become the thorn that topples the Bear.



4) BHP is Head and Shoulders above other 3A Teams

First, the usual disclaimer: what follows is purely my opinion, forged in the fires of Friday nights watching the Bears and following SC High School Football. Now, with that out of the way, let’s get to the heart of it—BHP is a juggernaut in the upperstate 3A this season. Not just leading the pack, mind you, but standing head and shoulders above it. Of all the upperstate teams only three have winning records, and only three truly belong in the conversation as contenders: BHP at a solid 6-1, and undefeated but untested Woodruff and Mountain View Prep, both sitting at 5-0.

When the season kicked off, sure, we expected BHP to be up there, contending. But let’s be honest—no one predicted the sheer canyon between them and everyone else. It’s a gap that’s about as wide as a defense scrambling to keep up with BHP’s relentless offense. If these Bears don’t make it to the upperstate game, it won’t just be a disappointment; it’ll be a seismic shock. And if they don’t punch their ticket to the state championship? Well, let’s just say there will be a lot of explaining to do.

Yet, there’s a reason for these lofty expectations. This team is, quite simply, that good. We’ve seen BHP field plenty of talented squads over the years—some exceeded our expectations, others fell heartbreakingly short. But this one, there’s a different energy here. They’re not just playing; they’re charging through the season with a purpose. Watching them rally after last year’s loss, watching them shake off the Westside loss, and seeing the fire they bring to every down—this team is special.

For all the Bear faithful out there, buckle up. Because this season has the makings of something that we’ve been waiting a long, long time for.



There you have it Bear Fans, a few thoughts from yours truly. I am excited to see what this second half of the season holds, but I know what is expected - Championships!.

Bear Talk

This week being an off week I was able to connect with Coach Blackston and get him to weigh in on a few Bear Track Questions. I asked the head guy three questions and here are his answers.

Question: There were so many starters and production returning this season, and most people felt they knew what to expect from this team. From your point of view, what has surprised you the most about this 2024 team?

Coach Blackston’s Answer: I still feel the best is yet to come for this team, I don’t think we have reached the ceiling as far as to where we can go. I feel like this team is a close team! Family!

Question: You were a coach on the 2004 state championship team. Looking back on that team and comparing them to the current team, what aspects do you see in both teams that lead to winning? What is something this current team has that the 2004 team did not have that makes the 2024 team special?

Coach Blackston’s Answer: Both teams love to compete - they both love it when a score is being kept. 2004 set the bar! Anxious to see where this team can go plus we have to stay healthy and be great where our feet are at. It's a 1 game season!

Question: There is a lot of football still left to play, and most of those teams will not be as talented as BHP (my opinion), especially during the regular season. How do get the team prepared for games against lesser opponents and not let the team get complacent and pick up bad habits for when the talent on the other team increases?

Coach Blackston’s Answer: Must stay healthy, continue to grow as a team!

Health, competition, and family—the building blocks of this team and the best way to wrap up this week’s Bear Tracks.

Thank you, Coach Blackston, for the insights. And thank you, Bear fans, for sticking with us. We’ll see you at home next week as the Bears take on Crescent. We will have our normal scheduled Bear Tracks post next Wednesday and gameday graphics Friday before the game. And remember, How Bout Them Bears!