October is for pretenders and November is for contenders, but December is for Champions!
On a frigid winter night, on a field neither team called home, two squads lined up for a chance to extend their seasons. One team in their first season, the other in their 58th, but both carried the weight of history—and the longing of a community—on their broad, collective shoulders. When the final whistle blew and number three had the ball in the end zone, it was the BHP Bears who roared victoriously. For the first time in 20 years, they had claimed the Upper State Championship.
The celebration was as raucous as it was deserved, but no one wearing a paw print that night was ready to call it the end. The victory, as sweet as it was, only cleared a path to something greater: a shot at the ultimate prize in Orangeburg.
As the game ended, my phone buzzed. It was a text from my wife: “Yayyyy! Go Bears!!” My reply was simple: “Greatest game I’ve ever seen.” But even now, days removed from the moment, I realize how much I undersold what happened that night. If I tried to unpack it all in words, this blog might rival War and Peace in length. So, I’ll try to keep it concise—though the temptation to indulge is strong.
The game, originally scheduled for a neutral site, was moved midweek to Hillcrest High. There, the Bears faced Mountain View Prep (MVP), undefeated and boasting the state’s most explosive offense. This was no ordinary opponent. MVP’s backfield was a highlight reel waiting to happen: Jaylen McGill, the fourth-ranked recruit in South Carolina’s 2026 class; quarterback Bryson Drummond, a maestro with over 6,000 career passing yards; and wide receiver Kadarus Hainsworth, a nightmare for defenders. Yet, by the time the game ended, every star in MVP’s constellation was overshadowed by the paw print on the helmets of the Bears.
The crowd was as much a part of the story as the players. Bear fans traveled en masse, filling the stands two-to-one over MVP supporters despite freezing temperatures. The energy was electric. BHP’s defense fed off it immediately, forcing a three-and-out on MVP’s opening drive. Then the Bears’ offense took over, setting a bruising tone with six straight run plays before a fumble by Marquise Henderson handed MVP the ball. But the Bears’ defense, unyielding and relentless, held MVP to just 12 yards, forcing another punt.
Henderson, undeterred by the early misstep, lit up the crowd on the next possession with a dazzling 31-yard pop pass. Seven plays later, he delivered the kind of touchdown that belongs in folklore: a 32-yard masterpiece that included a hurdle, a Derrick Henry-style stiff-arm, and a sprint to glory. BHP struck first, 7-0.
MVP, true to their reputation, responded with an 84-yard drive capped by McGill’s 12-yard touchdown run. After a BHP three-and-out, Drummond found Kaevon Washington for a 36-yard touchdown pass, though a blocked PAT by Norikus Coward kept the score 13-7. As halftime approached, MVP had a chance to extend their lead following another Henderson fumble. But Tajeh Watson-Martin made a critical tackle at the goal line, forcing MVP to settle for a field goal. At the half, BHP trailed 16-7.
It felt like the kind of game MVP would pull away from in the second half. But this BHP team had other ideas. The Bears’ defense emerged from the locker room like a prizefighter ready for the championship rounds. They stifled MVP’s vaunted offense, holding them scoreless in the second half. The turning point came when MVP muffed a punt and Ty Parnell pounced on the ball. Christian Bridwell converted the opportunity into a 38-yard field goal, narrowing the deficit to 16-10.
With just over seven minutes left in the game, Colby Bates made the play of the night—intercepting Drummond and shifting momentum irrevocably to the Bears. Henderson, ever the warrior, slipped out of the backfield on a play-action pass, catching a perfectly placed ball from Noah Thomas to tie the game. Bridwell’s extra point made it 17-16.
MVP’s next drive ended in heartbreak for their fans—and pure elation for the Bears. Bates, again, intercepted Drummond. Henderson turned the ensuing possession into an 81-yard touchdown run that will be replayed in the minds of Bear fans for decades. BHP led 24-16 with just over two minutes to play.
But MVP had one last gasp. Jocobie Smith returned the ensuing kickoff 78 yards for a touchdown. The Stars pulled within two points, setting up a nail-biting two-point conversion attempt. Drummond’s pass into the end zone was swatted away by—who else?—Colby Bates. The Bears clung to their lead.
MVP’s onside kick went awry, and while the Bears couldn’t run out the clock entirely, they gave MVP just nine seconds to work with. A desperate lateral play ended in chaos, with Henderson scooping up the ball and returning it for a walk-off touchdown. Final score: BHP 30, MVP 22.
Looking back, several truths emerge. First, the BHP defense was transcendent. They held MVP’s high-octane offense to 0 offensive points in the second half. Jaylen McGill, the #4 player in his class, was reduced to 63 rushing yards on 18 carries—a shadow of his usual dominance. The Bears forced four turnovers and tackled with surgical precision. Tajeh Watson-Martin, Tye Kelly, Jakyri Anderson—their names deserve to be etched in stone for their contributions.
Second, Marquise Henderson delivered a performance for the ages. Yes, he fumbled twice in the first half, and yes, the ghosts of last season loomed large. But what he did after that was nothing short of heroic. Every touchdown, every pivotal play seemed to flow through him. Redemption isn’t a big enough word to describe it. Henderson carried not just the team but 20 years of BHP football history on his back.
Finally, this team is special—perhaps uniquely so in BHP history. Over the years, I’ve watched countless games where bad luck or bad breaks seemed to doom the Bears. Not this team. They refuse to blink in the face of adversity. They find ways to win. They make the plays that matter. And in doing so, they’ve given a community something to believe in.
The celebration Friday night was joyous, but it was also measured. The job isn’t finished. For now, the Bears can bask in the glow of a historic victory. But soon, all eyes will turn to Orangeburg, where they’ll have one last chance to write their names in the annals of greatness. A two-and-a-half-hour trip stands between them and football immortality. And something tells me these Bears are ready to make history.
“We’re going to the ‘Ship!’” Coach Blackston roared, his voice carrying through the cool night air at 10:30 PM last Friday. It wasn’t just a declaration—it was a promise. A ship, in this case, short for the Championship, with capital letters for good measure. Sweet as that Upper State victory was, though, every player and fan on the field knew the real battle still lies ahead. One game remains, the only one that truly matters: the 2024 3A State Championship at South Carolina State University, where BHP will square off against Oceanside Collegiate Academy.
Oceanside—let’s just call them that to save everyone’s breath—comes into Saturday’s showdown with a 10-3 record and a spotless 4-0 in Region 6. But records alone don’t tell the story. Oceanside didn’t tiptoe their way here; they ran the gauntlet of South Carolina high school football’s toughest non-conference schedule. Irmo. Calvary Day (GA). Savannah Christian (GA). Ashley Ridge. Dutch Fork. It’s a murderer’s row of opponents, and Oceanside emerged with battle scars and a 2-3 record that’s more impressive than it sounds. Those three losses? To the #1 and #4 teams in South Carolina and Georgia’s #2-ranked 1A juggernaut. They didn’t just play tough teams; they survived them and forged into something stronger in the process.
When region play rolled around, Oceanside shifted into a gear few teams even have, outscoring opponents 172 to 13. The playoffs? More of the same dominance: Fox Creek obliterated, Waccamaw dismissed, Dillon edged out in a thriller, and Loris dismantled in a 42-7 clinic. That last score raised eyebrows, but context matters. Loris was missing their top rusher, and Oceanside’s defense pounced, forcing five turnovers—yes, five—in the first half alone. The Landsharks weren’t just good; they were suffocating.
Offensively, Oceanside runs like a well-oiled machine—or, more accurately, like a precision watch. Sophomore quarterback Aiden Manavian is their maestro, conducting a symphony of pinpoint passes and flawless timing. Over 3,100 passing yards this season. A knack for threading the needle under pressure. The ability to keep his eyes downfield while chaos erupts around him. If Manavian were five inches taller, we’d already be hearing whispers of Power Five offers and of him being the top QB in his class.
Manavian spreads the wealth, with top targets like Will Virgilio, Peyton Shaw, and Terence Johnson racking up 1,900 yards between them (Virgilio with 65 receptions and 1,030 receiving yards alone). But it doesn’t stop there—six different players have over 100 receiving yards this season. Defending Oceanside feels a bit like trying to plug holes in a dam with chewing gum. Just when you think you’ve got them covered, Manavian drops a screen pass that slices your defense to ribbons.
And then there’s the defense. Oceanside’s unit is less a group of players and more a coordinated whirlwind of speed, instincts, and physicality. Watching their tape, you’d swear they have an extra player on the field. They close gaps before they open, anticipate plays like they’ve read the script, and capitalize on every mistake. Just ask Loris, who coughed up five turnovers in the first half of the Lower State Championship.
Anchoring the defense is a trio of playmakers at every level: Sawyer Arnold, the towering defensive lineman with the wingspan of an NBA forward; Max Moorman, the sideline-to-sideline linebacker with instincts that seem preternatural; and Grayson Freeling, a safety who patrols the field like a hawk, crashing run lanes and disrupting passes in equal measure. It’s no exaggeration to say this is the best defense BHP has faced since the days of 2022 Clinton or 2017 South Pointe.
So, how does BHP take down the defending 2A champs? Three words: physicality, focus, and Marquise.
First, the Bears must do what they do best: out-physical the opponent. No one out-grinds BHP. Everyone sees the long breakaway runs or big hits, but BHP has to set the tone with the physical blocks and tackles so later in the game, those turn into long runs on offense and turnovers on defense. Oceanside will be tough and the Bears will have to go to the physical depths they are accustomed to - where other teams will not go.
Second, focus and alignment on defense are non-negotiable. Oceanside’s offense is a Rubik’s Cube of formations and concepts, and Manavian’s accuracy means even a minor lapse can spell disaster. The Bears can’t afford to let emotion cloud their execution—yes, this is the biggest stage in school history, but discipline will win the day.
Finally, it all comes back to Marquise Henderson. The greatest player in BHP history—and arguably the state’s best this season—must be at his transcendent best. Last week, he accounted for all four touchdowns in the Upper State Championship, even after a couple of fumbles. When the game is on the line, there’s no Plan B. Feed the ball to Marquise and let him do what only he can.
Saturday at noon, the Bears will step onto the field for three hours that will define a season, maybe even a legacy. They’ve been ranked #1 since the preseason, but Oceanside is the defending 2A champ, battle-tested and formidable. It’s David vs. Goliath with the roles muddied—two giants ready to trade blows for glory. The storylines are rich, the stakes immense, and the anticipation unbearable.
Here’s the thing about ships, though. They’re built to carry you somewhere—hopefully this one, to history.
Score: BHP 34 -- Dillon 7
BHP Offensive Stats:
Team Rushing: 26 rushes for 94 yards 2 TDs
Team Passing: 11/21/2 for 203 yards and 2 TDs
Team Total: 47 plays for 297 yards and 4 offensive TDs
Rushing Leader: #5 Chase Robinson - 26 rushes for 66 yards and 1 TD
Passing Leader: #12 O’Bryan Clinckscales - 11/21/2 for 203 yards and 2 TDs
Receiving Leader: #43 Bryan Miller - 4 receptions for 97 yards and 1 TD
Dillon Offensive Stats:
Team Rushing: 23 rushes for 48 yards
Team Passing: 6/22/4 for 103 yards and 1 TD
Team Total: 45 yards for 151 yards and 1 TD
Rushing Leader: Emmanuel Benjamin - 11 rushes for 25 yards
Passing Leader: John Williams - 2/7/1 for 74 yards and 1 TD
Receiving Leaders: Brynn Williamson - 2 receptions for 53 yards 1 TD
This week, I had the distinct pleasure of connecting with two of the minds behind the machine that is the BHP Bears: John Ballenger and Chris Strickland.
Coach Ballenger, the Associate Head Coach and running backs coach, has been at BHP for eight years.
Then there’s Coach Strickland, the safeties coach, special teams coordinator, and as if that weren’t enough, the head wrestling coach.
But let’s not get too serious—it’s time for "Six Bear Questions." Strap in, because when you put two coaches like this under the microscope, the answers promise to be as insightful.
Questions for Coach Ballenger
Q: You are in the unique position of coaching Marquise Henderson, who many (myself included) consider the best player to ever play for BHP. We all know about his physical gifts, but can you give us a look behind the curtain? What truly sets him apart, even beyond the raw talent?
Coach Ballenger's Answer:
Coach Ballenger's Answer: Quise truly is a special talent. He’s one of the most explosive players I’ve ever seen on a high school football field. One part of his game that I think often gets overlooked is his power. His ability to run between the tackles and run through defenders to pick up that extra yard is really something special for someone his size. Each year I give the group a wristband with a phrase on it. This year’s phrase is “one more yard.” Quise has really embraced this, and it shows every time he finishes a run. Another part of his game that gets overlooked is his blocking. The same violence and speed you see when he runs the ball is also on display when he blocks. Quise is also the most competitive kid I’ve ever been around. He HATES to lose. His competitiveness truly separates him from most athletes. He also doesn’t lack confidence. There have been multiple times in his career where we need someone to make a play, and he says “give me the ball, I got it.” And he gets it done. This year against Pendleton was a great example of this. We get the ball back with less than 2 minutes to go before the half on our own 25. Before the drive, Quise asked for the ball. Two plays later he breaks off an amazing 75-yard touchdown run (maybe his best one yet)! But in my opinion, the thing that truly sets him apart is his unselfishness. He has been on Varsity since he was a freshman, and each year he has shared carries. Below is the percentage of the team’s carries Quise has accounted for in each season of his career:
2021: 18% 2022: 26% 2023: 36% 2024: 33%
First of all, just imagine what his numbers would look like if he wasn’t sharing carries! But Quise has never complained, and he always supports his teammates. This year Quise has done a great job supporting and mentoring MJ. Again, he’s truly a special talent and I’m incredibly lucky I’ve gotten the opportunity to coach him these last four years
Q: The running back position has so many subtleties, and fans often overlook the detailed work required to excel. Could you walk us through some of the nuances you emphasize with this group? What makes them such a uniquely effective backfield in your eyes?
Coach Ballenger's Answer:
Coach Ballenger's Answer: We ask a lot of our running backs at BHP. Besides running the ball, our backs are asked to block in pass protection, block on screens, catch the ball from the backfield, line up at WR and run routes, and sometimes line up at QB. So the first thing is knowing what to do. Next is protecting the ball. In the last 4 years, the running backs have averaged 1 fumble every 100 carries. We expect our number of fumbles to be zero, but I can live with 1 every 100 carries. Finally, it’s being unselfish. I’ve been blessed to have a lot of talented running backs in my time here, and this year is no different. MJ Earl and Justin Lathon would be #1 backs on any other team. But these guys never complain, and when their number is called, they are always ready. Take Justin for example. Justin knows in order for us to be the best we can be, he has to play Defensive End. And he does an incredible job for us there. But any time I need him to run the ball, he’s always ready. He really showed that last year in the second round of the playoffs vs Pendleton. All of these guys are unselfish, and they truly care about each other and their teammates. The best way a back can exhibit this is their effort when blocking. Quise will tell you, nothing gets me more excited than when a back makes a great block. I get excited when Quise rips off an incredible run, but I get even more excited when he makes a big block! Blocking shows that you are unselfish and that you care about your teammates, and these guys do a great job blocking.
Q: One of your on-field responsibilities is relaying plays and keeping the offense in rhythm. Could you walk us through the strategies and communication techniques that ensure smooth play-calling, both in high-tempo situations and when the pace slows down? And, just out of curiosity, do you ever make on-the-fly adjustments to the original play call from Coach Jenkins (He’s not reading this!)?
Coach Ballenger's Answer:
Well the first thing is making sure you have a system that the kids understand. It also helps that we have a lot of smart kids who have been in this offense and understand what we’re trying to accomplish. I’m also not the only one signaling plays in. Coach McClain does a great job relaying plays to his guys. Secondly, Noah Thomas does a great job of getting the call and relaying it to the guys. Noah also helps us come up with some of the signals since he’s the one who has to know them all. As for the pace, we are usually trying to move quickly. Our goal is to get the call in as quickly as possible because on a lot of our plays we have some type of shift or motion. Before the ball is even spotted we are usually signaling in the next play. Noah is very good about immediately getting his eyes to the sideline to get the next play. But there are times where we want to slow it down. Coach Blackston usually makes that decision, and then we take our time getting the play call in. Noah, once again, does a great job with this. He knows when we are trying to slow it down, and he adjusts accordingly. When it comes to making on-the-fly adjustments to the original play call, let’s just say if it’s a successful play, it was all me! If the play sucked, it was all Jenk! But seriously, I don’t need to make any adjustments to the play call. Coach Jenkins knows this offense better than anyone. The only time I have to make a call is if our headsets stop working, which luckily hasn’t happened in a while.
Questions for Coach Strickland
Q: The Bears’ special teams have evolved into a critical weapon, and this year they’ve propelled BHP into becoming a dominant force in all phases. What has been the key to the unit’s success this season, and how does their performance stand out compared to previous years you’ve coached?
Coach Strickland's Answer:
One key to success this year has been getting starters to buy into special teams and truly understand how important each phase of the game is. Also, we have been a little more intentional this season, incorporating more time on special teams in the practice plan.
Q: As the head coach of one of the top wrestling programs in the state, you understand the importance of one-on-one matchups in a team sport. How does the wrestling mindset of winning individual battles to benefit the team translate to football? Can you share examples of how this BHP team embodies that mindset on the field, particularly in critical moments?
Coach Strickland's Answer:
Well, first of all, I think anyone who wrestles is a better football player because of it (so all football players should wrestle)! I think that anyone who understands being their best individually and sharpening their skills to be the best version of themselves can always, naturally, help in a team sport. Individuals striving their best, helps the collective be their best. Any state championship team I have been a part of the common denominator is leadership and accountability. I think this team definitely possesses these qualities. They push one other to be their best and do not allow what we call "bull jiving", lol.
Q: Great safety play is often measured by the ability to limit big plays, and this season, BHP’s defense has allowed only 12 plays over 40 yards—a remarkable feat. What sets this group of safeties apart from others you’ve coached? How do their skills and preparation contribute to the defense’s overall ability to contain explosive plays and maintain its dominance?
Coach Strickland's Answer:
I want to say this first, I am so happy for Senior Strong Safety Colby Bates and the monster game he had vs MVP. I can't remember bigger plays in three consecutive drives than he made. He has been a little down on himself some this season, and he is his biggest critic. I reminded him before the game of the crucial INT he had in last season's Upper State Championship game. I then told him, if given the opportunity, he would come up big again, and boy did he! As far as KJ, he has been a picture of consistency all year long at Free Safety. He has come to BEAR NATION and fit in naturally from day one. He has a very high football IQ (as does Colby) and is the voice of our secondary. I also love his physicality. He is fearless. I believe that our entire secondary group (Colby Bates, KJ Miles, Jacus Paul, Ty Parnell, Nathan Cooley, and BJ Anderson) represents what our total defense encompasses, which is: a voracious appetite to wreak havoc on opposing offenses! Go BEARS!
Coaches Ballenger and Strickland aren’t just leading players—they’re shaping BHP’s winning formula. Ballenger, ever the perfectionist, highlighted Marquise Henderson’s fumbles last week, vowing a renewed focus on ball security. Strickland, meanwhile, praised the unsung heroes who powered last week’s win. Together, they gave us a glimpse into the precision and passion that drive this team. Thanks, coaches, for sharing your insights and showing what makes BHP tick.
Sometimes, sports can feel like a numbers game: points scored, yards gained, tackles made. But every now and then, the numbers pause, and the spotlight shifts to the people who elevate the game beyond stats—the players whose grit and talent demand recognition. Last week, the South Carolina Football Coaches Association took that pause, naming their Upper and Lower State Players of the Year across classifications. BHP took home three out of four honors for the 3A Upper State.
Let’s start in the trenches, where games are won and respect is earned. Oliver Merrit, a towering presence on the line, was named the 3A Upper State Lineman of the Year. Additionally, the Anderson Area Touchdown Club had already tapped Merrit as the Anderson County Lineman of the Year. It seems the only thing stronger than Merrit’s play is the consensus on his dominance.
Then there’s Christian Bridwell, the kind of guy who takes the “special” in Special Teams Player of the Year and makes it look effortless. The 3A Upper State coaches saw what we all have: a player who turns a phase of the game often overlooked into his personal highlight reel.
And finally, we come to the headliner, Marquise Henderson, a name that has become shorthand for offensive brilliance. Henderson was crowned 3A Upper State Offensive Player of the Year—a title that feels almost inevitable given his season. Add to that his Co-Offensive Player of the Year nod from the Anderson Area Touchdown Club, and, oh, let’s not forget: he’s a finalist for Mr. Football, South Carolina’s top individual honor. That little piece of hardware will find its new home at halftime of the Touchstone Energy North-South All-Star game. Don’t bet against Marquise.
Three players. Three stars. Three reasons why this year’s Bears team is more than just a powerhouse—it’s something special. It’s not just the awards that make it special, although those don’t hurt. It’s the recognition that these players have risen to the top not because they’ve stood out in a vacuum, but because they’ve helped elevate the entire team. This Bear squad is better for having them, and the state of South Carolina is starting to take notice.
The season may be winding down, but something tells me the accolades aren’t. This team, these players—they’re the kind of story that makes you want to keep watching if only to see just how far they can go. And who knows? The best part of the story might still be unwritten.
I’ve written more than 140 "Bear Tracks" posts over the years—words typed to fill a small-town library—but I’ve never had the privilege of writing one like this. Not one that felt quite this big. Since these seniors first suited up for BHP, back when some of them were still figuring out their footing under those Friday night lights, this season felt destined for something more. A culmination. A reckoning.
The way last season ended—brutal and unsparing, the kind of finish that sticks in the craw—it added fuel to this year’s fire. Expectations? These Bears didn’t just live up to them; they laced them up, hitched them over their shoulder pads, and ran right through them like a Marquise Henderson fourth-and-short dive play.
Now, the test ahead isn’t just another game. It’s a mountain, a leviathan, the toughest challenge BHP has ever faced. And yet, this isn’t about David versus Goliath. Forget all those tired storylines: Small Town versus Big City, Public versus Private, Upper State versus Lower State. No, this Saturday, it’s simpler than all that. It’s just Us versus Them.
And I’ll tell you this much: Them Big Bad Bears are barreling down the highway to Orangeburg like a freight train with no brakes. And when they get there, they’re coming home with a brand-new trophy to show for it.
Prediction: BHP 35 - Oceanside Collegiate Academy - 31
Now, Bear Nation, let me get real with you. This team has given you everything—blood, sweat, and the occasional perfectly executed two-minute drill. You showed up last week, loud and proud, and they rewarded you with the kind of performance that sticks with you long after the final whistle. But this week? This week, they need you louder, prouder, and earlier. Take over that stadium. Make it a wall of sound so deafening it rattles helmets.
We know better than most how hard it is to make it this far. To have it within reach and watch it slip through your fingers. So don’t take this for granted. This isn’t just a trip to the championship. It’s a moment. One you’ll tell stories about someday. Let’s make it count.
See you in Orangeburg. Bring your voices. Bring your heart. And watch Them Bears bring home the glory.
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