2024 Round 2 Bear Tracks

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

Last Friday, the air turned brisk, the temperature dipped, and the stadium lights split the night like a Broadway premiere. But inside that glowing rectangle of grass, the BHP Bears burned hotter than ever, kicking off their playoff run with a resounding statement: try to stop us—good luck!

From the opening whistle, the Bears' offense unleashed the kind of fireworks that make defensive coordinators lose sleep and chiropractors gain clients. By halftime, BHP had racked up 342 total yards and dropped 42 points on Southside Christian. And here’s the kicker—it wasn’t just the Marquise Henderson Show, though he casually churned out 192 yards on 11 carries as if it was just another Friday night at the office. MJ Earle had three rushes for 77 yards, Tajeh Watson-Martin matched him with 78 yards on three catches, James Moore lit up the scoreboard with a 41-yard touchdown grab, and Noah Thomas quietly compiled a whopping 184 total yards. It wasn’t an offense; it was a symphony of destruction.

On the other side of the ball, however, things started off shakier than what we have been accustomed to. Southside Christian’s air raid offense—built on quick rhythm passes and a philosophy that screams, “Good luck preparing for this in three practices”—found soft spots in the Bears’ defense early. Time and again, BHP defenders were a split second or a fingertip away from turning near-misses into drive-killers. The Sabers, opportunistic as they were, tallied three plays over 30 yards, a feat no other team had managed more than once all season.

By halftime, Southside Christian had amassed 219 yards on 44 plays. But then, like flipping a switch, the Bears’ defense decided enough was enough. Over the final two quarters, BHP allowed just 37 yards on 13 plays—a shutdown performance so complete it felt surgical. That second-half clampdown wasn’t just a response; it was a declaration.

And here’s what makes the Bears special. Great teams play complementary football. If the defense wobbles, the offense steps on the gas and scores like it’s their birthright. When the offense stalls, someone on special teams makes a highlight reel play. BHP doesn’t just adapt—they exploit. Opponents think they’ve found a crack, only to watch the Bears turn it into a canyon and run straight through.

Now, the stage shifts to Palmetto, BHP’s most familiar foe. But this time, it’s different. The stakes are higher, the lights are brighter, and the margins are thinner. The Bears know what’s coming. And if last Friday was any indication, they’ll be ready to write the next chapter in a season that’s becoming something special.



Round 2 Preview



With one step closer to Orangeburg, the BHP Bears find themselves staring down a familiar opponent: the Palmetto Mustangs. Familiarity, though, doesn’t breed comfort—it breeds tension, and both teams are carrying more than a little extra weight since their Week 5 meeting. Much like the Bears, the Mustangs aren’t the same squad they were when the leaves first started to turn.

Palmetto’s season is a story of survival and growth. Sitting at 5-6 overall, 2-3 in region play, and a fourth-place finish in the standings, they’ve clawed their way to relevance. Their wins tell the tale: a nail-biter in overtime against Crescent, a blowout of Travelers Rest, a gritty battle with Southside Christian, a trouncing of Carolina Academy, and an impressive first-round playoff victory against Chapman. This is a team that’s been battered but never broken. They’ve sharpened their edges week by week.

Week 5 is still fresh enough in memory to sting, though. BHP walked away that night with a 37-14 win, one of the few times all year the Bears failed to hit the 40-point mark. But ask anyone on the field, and they’ll tell you: Palmetto played with the kind of intensity that puts coaches on edge. Westside aside, no one had pushed BHP quite like that.

Palmetto’s offense revolves around the versatile Kaleb Ricketts. He’s a double-edged sword, slicing defenses with both his legs and his arm. Against BHP earlier in the year, he posted 134 total yards, including a rushing TD. His backfield partner, Cooper Robinson, is the thunder to his lightning. Robinson gashed BHP for 80 yards and a score on 15 carries, a performance that showcased his knack for finding daylight even against stout defenses.

And if you need a reminder of what this Palmetto team is made of, just rewind to last week’s playoff opener. Disaster struck early when they fumbled deep in their own territory, gifting Chapman an eight-point lead within two minutes. Lesser teams would fold. Not the Mustangs. They locked in, shutting Chapman down for the rest of the first quarter. Then they unleashed a relentless second quarter: a 90-yard drive, two interceptions (one returned to the 12-yard line), and three scores to head into halftime up 22-8. When Chapman clawed back within seven late in the game, Palmetto answered with a soul-crushing 10-play drive to seal the win.

This is not the same Palmetto team BHP beat in Week 5. They’ve leaned into their identity—a defense that thrives on creating turnovers and an offense that thrives on misdirection and playing power football. The Bears will need to match their discipline with a hefty dose of their own grit come Friday.

For BHP, the roadmap is simple but far from easy: stick to the standard. Last week, the Bears' offense felt unstoppable, putting on the kind of clinic that makes opponents question their life choices. But this week, they face a stouter defense, one ready to test their mettle. On the other side of the ball, BHP’s calling card—tough, unrelenting defense—needs to be louder than ever. Performances like the ones against Pendleton and Walhalla are the gold standard, and they’ll need every bit of that physicality to contain Palmetto’s rushing attack.

Then there’s the mindset. BHP’s hallmark this season has been their buzzsaw mentality. When they smell blood, they don’t just take the lead—they rip the game away from their opponents. Think back to the three non-offensive touchdowns in one quarter against Walhalla. That kind of sequence doesn’t just change games; it crushes spirits. And from here on out, there’s no coasting, no easing up. The Bears need to keep their foot firmly on the gas pedal and make sure opponents don’t just lose—they leave demoralized.

This marks the 59th chapter in the rivalry between BHP and Palmetto, but for the first time, it comes with playoff stakes. History isn’t on Palmetto’s side—they’ve only beaten the Bears seven times. But a win against this top-ranked BHP team would cement their place in Mustang lore forever. And that’s precisely the kind of fire they’ll bring Friday night.

But the Bears know what’s coming. They know the weight of the target on their backs. And they’ll be ready. When the whistle blows, the Big Bad Bears will be waiting to remind everyone why they’ll be the ones heading for Orangeburg.



Previous Matchup: 2024 Week 5



Score: BHP 37 -- Palmetto 14

2023 Round 1 BHP vs Emerald Offensive Stats:
Team Rushing: 38 rushes for 372 yards and 3 TDs
Team Passing:10/17/2 for 159 yards and 2 TDs
Team Total: 55 plays 531 yards and 5 TDs

Rushing Leader: #3 Marquise Henderson - 20 rushes for 233 yards and 2 TDs
Passing Leader: #7 Noah Thomas - 10/17/2 for 159 yards and 2 TDs
Receiving Leader: #5 Tajeh Watson-Martin - 2 catches for 87 yards and 1 TD
Defensive Leader: #23 Jakyri Anderson - 2 solo tackles, 4 assist, 1 hurry, 24 defensive points

2024 Week 5 Palmetto vs BHP Offensive Stats:
Team Rushing: 38 rushes for 178 yards and 2 TDs
Team Passing: 6/14/0 for 56 yards
Team Total: 52 plays for 229 yards and 2 TDs

Rushing Leader: #17 Cooper Robinson - 15 rushes for 80 yards and 1 TD
Passing Leader: #4 Kaleb Ricketts - 6/13/0 for 56 yards
Receiving Leaders: #3 Isaiah Hill - 1 catch for 21 yards



Quick Stats





Bear Talk



This week, I was able to connect with Chris Rogers, the Bears' defensive line coach and a key figure in the program’s history. A starting offensive lineman for the 2004 State Championship team, Rogers now leads a defensive line that rivals the dominance of that legendary squad.

With his experience on both sides of the trenches, Rogers has built a unit that defines this defense—physically dominant and fundamentally sound. You can tell he’s proud but grounded, speaking about his players with the precision of a craftsman who knows he’s got something special.

Q: The defensive line has been one of the most outstanding position groups so far this season. From my untrained eye, their size and mobility have given offenses fits so far this year. What are some aspects of this position group that people may not be aware of that sets this group apart from others you have coached?

Coach Rogers’ Answer:
As you mentioned, we are blessed to have some guys with size and athleticism up front this year, but our experience has been what has separated this group from others. Even though we only have one senior starting on the defensive front they have a ton of experience playing the position. From a schematic standpoint, it allows us to mix up a lot of looks because they understand our system. From a technical standpoint, they know what things work and what doesn't from trial and error.

Q: You were a part of the 2004 Championship team, spending most of your snaps on the offensive side of the ball, both as a tight end and center. One aspect of playing that side of the ball was having to go against the defense and the defensive front from that team every day. What are some qualities you see in this current defensive line that made that 2004 defensive line hard to block even at practice?

Coach Rogers’ Answer:
In 2004 the defense was dominant all year long. One of the things that made them dominant was their physicality. I see the same qualities in our current defensive line group and the entire defense as a whole

Q: Everyone talks about winning in the trenches, and I know that is a focal point for BHP both on offense and defense, but how does a defensive line group as good as the one you coach make the defense as a whole exponentially better?

Coach Rogers’ Answer:
Having a good defensive line allows you to be free in your playcalling. You don't feel like you have to blitz to stop the run or get pressure on the passer-by bringing extra guys. Instead, we can bring extra pressure on our time or put more people in coverage when we want, because you have confidence the 3 or 4 guys up front can do their job. It allows the playcaller to dictate the number of defenders in the box instead of the offense getting to dictate the number of players in the box.


I’d like to thank Coach Rogers for peeling back the curtain and sharing a taste of the secret sauce that makes this defensive line not just dominant, but the linchpin of a defense that defines the very word “dominance.”



Wrap Up



Round Two of the 3A playoffs is here—win, and the season continues; lose, and it’s over. For the 59th time, BHP faces Palmetto, but this Friday feels different. The Bears' biggest opponent isn’t across the field; it’s themselves. Can they rise to the moment and prove they’re the team we’ve believed in all season?

Bear fans, last week there were empty seats on the home side. It’s the playoffs and now is the time to ratchet up the intensity. Yes, it’s colder, and tickets cost more, but this season is something special. Let’s pack the stands, fill the fence, and bring the energy this team deserves. This isn’t just another game—it’s a moment to be all in.


Prediction: BBHP 45 - Palmetto 10

We want to see all of you Bear fans at BHP 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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