2024 Round 1 Bear Tracks

October is for pretenders and November is for contenders, but December is for Champions!

The Bears finished their 2024 regular season the same way they began it—dominating, merciless, and at home. But now, with this final victory in the books, what lies ahead isn't just another game. It's about history. It's about legacy.

Before we dive into the first-round preview, let's savor how the Bears ended their regular season. BHP hosted Walhalla, with the region championship hanging in the balance. From the opening whistle, the Bears left zero doubt about the outcome. They struck fast, scoring on their first two drives, posting a 14-0 lead before Walhalla had even gotten settled in their seats. And from there, BHP turned into a buzzsaw.

With 7:18 left in the first half, Walhalla decided—mistakenly, in hindsight—to punt the ball to Tajeh Watson-Martin. Tajeh took that ball, and 72 yards later, he took the Razorbacks' hope along with it, straight to the end zone. Ten seconds later, as Walhalla tried to claw back, KJ Miles plucked their desperation out of the air—a Razorback pass, ill-advised and airborne too long. He returned it 24 yards for yet another BHP touchdown. Then, with only 23 seconds left in the half, Walhalla tried again to punt—as if the first time hadn't burned enough. This time it was Marquise Henderson's turn. Fielding the kick at the 3-yard line, Henderson took off on a 97-yard sprint, a pure display of speed and inevitability. And just like that, halftime arrived with BHP up 35-0.

In the second quarter alone, the Bears scored 21 points while only running two offensive plays. You couldn't script a more ruthless dismantling. BHP squeezed the life out of Walhalla from start to finish, and as the final whistle blew, coaches were drenched in celebratory Gatorade. The scoreboard read 49-0, but it told a larger story: this BHP team had become the first since 2006 to win back-to-back region championships.

The Bears wrapped up their regular season at 9-1, first in Region 1 3A, and earned the 2nd overall seed in the upper state playoffs. There’s something to be said for resilience—for a team who played through the chaos of Hurricane Helene, who kept their focus, even with schedule changes, and emerged with momentum. That resilience earned them a well-deserved bye week before the playoffs.

But now, all attention is on one thing - the prize in Orangeburg. But if they start looking too far down that road, they know how easily a season can derail. For the Bears, there's only one opponent—and that's Southside Christian. The rest is just noise, waiting to be silenced.



Round 1 Preview



This week, the BHP Bears are back on the field, ready to start their march toward the State Championship. The journey begins here, and the first step is against Southside Christian.

On paper, Southside Christian doesn’t look like much of an obstacle. They’re 2-7 on the season, 1-4 in Region 2 3A. They’ve beaten the Anderson Cavaliers (42-28) and Carolina Academy (40-6), but their losses paint an oddly intriguing picture. Sure, they’ve been blown out by heavyweights like Abbeville (41-7), Mountain View Prep (49-7), and Powdersville (44-0)—results that are almost expected when you see the matchups. But then there’s the other side: four heartbreakingly close games. They nearly toppled Saluda, a powerhouse in 2A ranked #4 with an 8-1 record, falling just five points short, 19-14. Then, in region play, they lost to Palmetto (21-10), St. Joseph’s (14-7), and Christ Church (11-7), all by razor-thin margins. The Sabres were just three scores and a field goal away from being the second-best team in their region. It’s almost as if their record is whispering, "We’re better than we look."

And let’s not forget, we’re not too far removed from Southside Christian’s glory days. From 2017 to 2021, they went 55-7 and collected two 1A state titles along the way. That kind of history leaves a mark. Some of those players could still be around, and the coaching staff certainly knows how to get a team ready for playoff football. There’s pedigree in that locker room, and pedigree has a funny way of showing up when the spotlight hits.

Offensively, the Sabres are led by Jack Criswell, a 6'3" quarterback with plenty of arm talent. He’s got the cannon to launch it deep, but give him time, and he’ll slice you up with precision on the shorter routes too. Criswell’s a big guy, not easy to bring down, and while he’s not going to break off a 20-yard run, he’ll use that size to make life difficult for any defense that doesn’t put him on the ground.

Which brings us to the Bears’ defense. BHP has to make Criswell uncomfortable. They’ve been disrupting quarterbacks all season, but this week it’s more important than ever. He’s not a dual-threat, but he’s a statue only until you try to topple him—then he’s a tree that won’t fall. The Bears need to collapse the pocket, make it small, make it fast, and make it often. If they do that, good things will happen.

On offense, BHP needs to get back in rhythm. Last week, they never quite found their groove—hard to do when you’re watching three consecutive non-offensive touchdowns instead of driving the ball yourself. But with the playoffs here, they’ve got to re-establish that identity: pound the rock, control the line, and dictate the game. The passing game is also crucial. The Thomas-to-Watson-Martin connection is among the best in the state, and spreading the ball around has turned this offense into an unpredictable, unstoppable force. But it’s the ground game that sets the tone. When the Bears are rolling downhill, nobody wants to be in their way.

And let’s not forget the special teams. We don’t talk about them enough, but last game they delivered two punt return touchdowns. Five return touchdowns on the season isn’t just luck—it’s a weapon. It’s also a reminder that this BHP team can hurt you in all three phases. The special teams unit isn’t just a group of guys filling in between offense and defense; they’re a difference-maker, and that’s a serious advantage heading into the playoffs.

The message for BHP is the same as it’s been all year: play to your standard, not to your opponent. That’s even more crucial now. The playoffs are no time to get caught playing down to anyone. Focus, execution, and relentlessness—that’s the formula. The Bears have the talent to beat anyone in their path, but talent alone doesn’t win championships. It’s about showing up every snap, every play, and proving why you deserve to keep going.

So here we are. The stage is set, and BHP is the main character. The lights are bright, and the story is unfolding. These playoffs have all the makings of a blockbuster, and the Bears are ready to play the lead role.



Previous Round 1 Matchup: 2023 vs Emerald



Score: BHP 63 -- Emerald 7

2023 Round 1 BHP vs Emerald Offensive Stats:
Team Rushing: 35 rushes for 277 yards and 4 TDs
Team Passing: 9/13/1 for 119 yards and 5 TDs
Team Total: 48 plays for 396 yards and 9 TDs

Rushing Leader: #3 Marquise Henderson - 13 rushes for 132 yards and 2 TDs
Passing Leader: #7 Noah Thomas - 9/13/1 for 119 yards and 5 TDs
Receiving Leader: #6 Qua Alexander - 5 catches for 64 yards and 2 TDs
Defensive Leader: #9 Colby Bates - 5 solo tackles, 1 INT, 21 defensive points


2023 Round 1 Emerald vs BHP Offensive Stats:
Team Rushing: 27 rushes for 206 yards and 1 TD
Team Passing: 7/16/1 for 23 yards
Team Total: 43 plays for 229 yards and 1 TD

Rushing Leader: #7 Key Holloway - 12 rushes for 163 yards and 1 TD
Passing Leader: #7 Key Holloway - 7/15/0 for 23 yards
Receiving Leader: #2 Karson Wright - 2 catches for 10 yards



Quick Stats



 

Stats denoted by * are compiled from www.maxpreps.com



Bear Talk



This week, we had the chance to talk with Coach Cody O'Brien, the offensive line coach for the Bears. Unlike most teams, where the spotlight is on the flashy skill positions, the Bears value their big men up front just as much. These unsung heroes make the engine run with grit and determination.

Coach O'Brien is the architect of this group, teaching them how to move mountains. We talked with him about the importance of offensive line play, what excites him as a coach, and what it's like working under a head coach who knows the trenches firsthand. For the Bears, that experience is what makes them tick.

Q: All of the limelight goes straight to the skill players, it always has and always will. But we all know none of their production happens without the guys up front, and this offensive line could make a case for being the best OL group ever at BHP. What about this group makes it so special?

Coach O’Brien’s Answer:
At BHP, there have been many OL groups before this one that have set a tradition that this year's offensive line has bought into. Each of them internally takes a tremendous amount of pride in their craft, knowing that their role is a single piece of a much bigger unit. This group is not only coachable, but they are great humans and a joy to be around. Their football IQ is high and their many games of experience together has given them the ability to adjust quickly, and immediately apply feedback to the current situation.

Q: Watching the offense and especially the offensive line the last few seasons I see you get more animated over the “scrum” pushes even more than the 80-yard runs. How do plays like the “scrums” boost an offensive line’s mindset and how can it demoralize a defense?

Coach O’Brien’s Answer:
Our mindset as an offense is to play with violence and speed. This offensive line wants to run off the ball each play looking to get on and stay on blocks. Their will to finish by always looking for work, pushing piles, and picking up our ball carriers is what boosts their mindset in being the most physical front in each game.

Q: Having an offensive line coach as a head coach, how do you see your position group benefiting from that? It seems that there is a culture of wanting to dominate up front, what is it like as an offensive line coach knowing nothing would make the head guy more happy than running power 50 straight times?

Coach O’Brien’s Answer:
Coach Blackston’s extensive experience with the offensive line provides our lineman with a wealth of knowledge beyond myself. His expertise sharpens and molds my knowledge as well. He has built the culture of wanting to dominate the line of scrimmage and Coach Jenkins conducts the offensive scheme to do just that. I am very thankful to have the opportunity to be a part of it.

Let's take a moment to thank Coach O'Brien. His passion and energy have left an unmistakable mark on this team. But as of last week, there's something even more important: a brand-new member of Bear Country.

Coach O'Brien and his wife just welcomed a baby boy! We couldn't be happier and send our heartfelt congratulations to the proud parents.

Coach, thanks for everything you do—on and off the field. The whole Bear family is rooting for you and your growing team!



Wrap Up



BHP took care of business in Week 10, locking down one of their goals for the season: winning the region championship. It’s not just any win—it’s the 13th region championship in the school’s history, and with that piece of hardware accounted for, the Bears set their sights on something even bigger. The stakes are climbing every week now, and any misstep could bring this ride to a screeching halt. But here’s the thing about these Bears—they’re different. And this Friday, they get another chance to prove just how special they are.

Bear fans, you know what to do. Get to the Bear Den early, and get loud. Anyone who’s seen the difference a raucous crowd can make on the field knows how important you are—just ask the Texas A&M Aggies when they came to Columbia. So bring that Friday night energy, turn the Bear Den into a party, and give Them Bears the boost they need. Because every cheer, every chant, every decibel might just be the difference between packing it up or pushing on.


Prediction: BHP 49 - Southside Christian 6

We want to see all of you Bear fans at Home to support the Bears this Friday. But if you can't, don't forget to follow us on Facebook and X. Stay in the loop. Because Friday, we will be dropping the GameDay Graphic and will be live Tweeting stats and highlights during the game.

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