2024 Week 3 Bear Tracks

The Bears hit the road for the first time this season, and headed to Greer, facing the Yellow Jackets where the water tower looms over Dooley Field. On this particular Friday night, that iconic water tower might’ve been the only thing standing tall on the Greer sideline by the time the clock hit zeros.

Offensively, the Bears didn’t explode out of the gate, but rather worked with a quiet determination, chipping away at Greer’s defense. By halftime, they’d built a solid 20-0 lead, a statement in itself, but the fireworks would come later.

But while the offense took its time, the defense was all gas, no brakes. Greer’s first six possessions read like the stuff of a defensive coordinator’s dream: punt, punt, turnover on downs, punt, then the last drive ending going into halftime. The Bears didn’t just shut Greer down—they squeezed them so tight they couldn’t breathe, and any hope the Yellow Jackets had of a comeback evaporated with each futile drive.

And then, of course, there’s Marquise Henderson, the human highlight reel. Henderson tallied 144 yards on just nine carries, including a play that belongs in the highlight reel hall of fame. What started as a routine pitch turned into pure magic, when Henderson, cornered, flipped the ball back to quarterback Noah Thomas. Thomas took it from there, weaving through defenders and bolting for a 45-yard touchdown. It wasn’t scripted, but that’s what makes football great—the moments that make you ask, “Did that just happen?”

By the time the final whistle blew, the Bears had silenced Greer’s home crowd and once again put the classification on notice. It wasn’t just a win; it was a statement—this team is for real. Now at 2-0, they’re headed into a home matchup with Laurens, a team hungry to prove themselves. But these Bears? They don’t just play to win—they play to dominate.

Get ready, Bears fans. This ride is just beginning, and it’s looking like a wild one.



Week 3 Preview



Bears fans, it’s Week 3, and we’ve got ourselves a familiar face— the Laurens Raiders are rolling into town. These teams have faced off 26 times, making Laurens one of BHP’s regular rivals. Leading the Raiders is Greg Porter, their new head coach who’s ditched Greenville’s red and white for Laurens’ green and gold. Porter’s not here just to fill a spot on the sidelines—he’s got big plans to resurrect a struggling program. He’s running a system straight from the 70s, a ground-and-pound offense built to grind out long drives and wear teams down. Think of it like an old-school muscle car: it’s not flashy, but if you’re not careful, it’ll outlast you. They aim to chew the clock, inch down the field, and leave their opponents gasping in the fourth quarter.

Now, before you write them off just because they’re 0-2, remember who Laurens has battled already. They’ve squared up against Hillcrest (16-0) and Clinton (35-8), both top ten teams in their classifications. Sure, the Raiders haven’t found the win column yet, but don’t get too cozy. This is the kind of team that could sneak up and swipe a victory if you’re already looking ahead to next week’s game.

And here’s the real curveball—Laurens is rolling with an option offense. For those who know football, you understand the option is like playing chess, but every move has to be perfect. One wrong step, and you’re in trouble. Nehemias Fernandez has already chalked up 142 rushing yards, and on the defensive side, Javaye Suber is their star, with 20 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. This guy’s all over the field, making plays when they count.

But let’s not kid ourselves—the biggest challenge isn’t just Laurens’ old-school strategy or their defensive grit. No, the real danger this week is the dreaded trap game. With all the chatter outside the locker room about next week’s showdown with Westside, it’s all too easy for BHP to glance past Laurens. And that’s exactly how you end up with a "what just happened?" kind of loss that can haunt you all season.

For the Bears, the game plan is simple but crucial: stay focused, don’t get sloppy, and do your job on both sides of the ball. On offense, it’s all about rhythm. Let that powerhouse O-line open up holes for Marquise Henderson, and get Noah Thomas dialed in with some quick, easy passes to build momentum. The more this offense clicks, the scarier it becomes for any defense.

Come Friday night, with the Bear faithful packed into the stands, I’ve got a feeling we’re going to see something special. This BHP team has a knack for pulling off the kind of moments that leave you shaking your head, wondering how they just did that. So, buckle up, Bears fans—this one’s going to be a show. Don’t blink, or you might miss something legendary.



Previous Matchup: 2023

 

Score: BHP 49 -- Laurens 21

BHP's 2023 Offensive Stats vs Laurens:
Team Rushing: 38 rushes for 330 yards and 5 TDs
Team Passing: 12/17/0 for 149 and 2 TDs
Team Total: 55 plays for 479 yards and 7 TDs

Rushing Leader: #3 Marquise Henderson - 14 rushes for 206 yards and 3 TDs
Passing Leader: #7 Noah Thomas - 12/17/0 for 149 and 2 TDs
Receiving Leader: #6 Qua Alexander - 6 receptions for 88 yards
Defensive Leader: #18 Tye Kelly - 6 solo tackles, 4 assisted tackles, 1 FTL, 1 Pass Break-up and 31 Defensive Points

Laurens' 2023 Offensive Stats vs BHP:
Team Rushing: 35 rushes for 85 yards and 2 TDs
Team Passing: 17/37/0 for 164 yards
Team Total: 72 plays for 249 yards and 2 offensive TDs

Rushing Leader: #21 Denari Lee-Jackson - 17 rushes for 43 yards
Passing Leader: #14 Nick Danciu - 17/37/0 for 164 yards
Receiving Leaders: #4 Nick Fowler - 6 receptions for 71 yards



Quick Stats





Wrap Up



Two weeks in, BHP is firing on all cylinders, undefeated as expected. But things are about to get interesting with a familiar foe on the horizon. With Westside looming, the Bears can't afford any distractions.

Let's be honest: this team was built for moments like this. So, I'm calling it now—BHP is going 3-0, setting the stage for an epic clash that has everyone talking. Mark your calendars, because this game is shaping up to be one of those unforgettable Friday night showdowns with all eyes on the Bears.

Prediction: BHP 49 - Laurens 7

We want to see all of you Bear fans at the Bear's Den 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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