2024 Week 4 Bear Tracks

The outcome of Friday night’s clash with Laurens wasn’t so much a game as it was a coronation. From the very first snap, the fate of the contest was sealed and BHP dominated their way to a lopsided 55-6 win. But amidst all the fireworks, the real headline was written in a handful of historic yards in the second quarter, crowning BHP’s new rushing king.

With a modest 5-yard run in the second quarter, Marquise Henderson etched his name into the annals of Bear history, surpassing 4,942 career rushing yards and claiming the top spot on the all-time rushing list. The record-breaking rush wasn’t flashy, although most of the rushes that got him to this point were of the highlight variety—however, this one was monumental. More on Henderson later, but believe me, there was magic in the air as the home crowd witnessed history unfold on their own turf.

Of course, Marquise wasn’t the only Bear running wild that night. Kylan Dixon and the BHP defense put on a clinic. Kylan‘s four tackles for loss (TFLs)—tying the school record—were a thing of beauty. It was a defensive masterclass, made all the more impressive by their ability to adapt on the fly. Laurens, clearly desperate, threw a curveball with an overloaded wildcat formation they hadn’t shown all season. No matter. The Bears adjusted, sniffed it out, and slammed the door shut. By the final whistle, Laurens had racked up a grand total of 133 yards—though calling it "racked up" might be generous, considering they went backward in the second half, finishing with -6 yards. Let that sink in for a moment.

But while BHP left Laurens in the rearview mirror, the biggest challenge wasn’t the team on the other side of the line—it was the danger of looking too far ahead. With a much-anticipated showdown looming in the Electric City against Westside, the temptation to let focus slip was real. The Bears didn’t bite. They stayed locked in, did what they had to do, and now, the full weight of their attention shifts to the Rams.

Come Friday, Bear Nation will invade District 5, and I’ve got a feeling it’s going to be one of those nights. Buckle up. This one’s going to be special.



Week 4 Preview



Bear fans, buckle up. This is the one we’ve all been waiting for. Since that schedule dropped, this game has been circled, highlighted, and probably underlined a few times for good measure. And now, here we are—right on the doorstep of what promises to be the biggest game in South Carolina this week. Everything has fallen into place like a perfectly executed play, and now the showdown is set.

Let’s start with Westside. Ranked #1 in 4A. Ranked #1 in the state across all classifications (thank you, MaxPreps). And reigning 4A State Champion. They’re sitting on top of the mountain and they’ve earned it. They kicked off their season with a bang, taking on Creekside from Atlanta, Georgia, in what was supposed to be a cross-border showcase. Westside delivered, jumping out to a 30-0 halftime lead. But then, football being football, things got interesting. Creekside clawed back, trimming that lead to 30-27 late in the game. With the ball and a chance to steal the show, Creekside came up short on the final play. Westside exhaled and got their first win of the season.

After a week off, the Rams marched into T.L. Hanna’s packed stadium and put on a clinic, dismantling their rival 56-20. And trust me, they looked every bit the part of a #1 team.

The Rams are led by Cutter Woods, a name most SC high school football fans are well aware of. The USC Gamecock commit threw for over 3,900 yards and 42 touchdowns last year and even rushed for over 500 yards. That’s not a typo. This guy can sling it, and he runs the Westside offense like a maestro with a football for a baton. But it’s not just him. Sharode Richardson is back at running back, and if you need a reminder, he gashed BHP last season for the most rushing and receiving yards in the same game. Oh, and did I mention they’ve added six new starters? Yep, six transfers. Leading the pack are Armoni Weaver and Chamarryus Bomar, both App State commits. These guys are defensive backs by trade, but they make a huge impact on offense too. Westside is loaded. Period.

So, how does BHP slow this machine down and maybe—just maybe—leave with a win? I’ve got four ideas for you.

Step one: Limit the explosive plays. Westside is built to score from anywhere on the field. They thrive on breaking big plays. If BHP can force them into long, drawn-out drives, it changes the game. The longer the drive, the more chances for Westside to slip up. Force them to be patient, and you might catch them pressing.

Step two (and probably the most critical): Pressure the quarterback. Cutter Woods will carve you up if you give him time. Westside loves to spread the field with four or five wideouts, making it hard for defenses to bring extra heat. But if BHP’s front four can get home—especially up the middle—it’s going to make life tough for Woods. Pressure up the middle is a quarterback’s worst nightmare, and BHP needs to make it his reality on Friday night.

Step three: Match their firepower. Look, Westside’s got a lot of weapons, but BHP has the top offensive weapon in the state. Points are going to be scored. A lot of them I would bet. BHP’s offense has to control the tempo, impose their will, and dictate the flow of the game. It’s a delicate balance, though. You need to run the ball, shorten the game, and keep Westside’s offense on the sidelines. But, at the same time, BHP’s got Marquise Henderson, the definition of explosiveness on their side. Last season, BHP ran the ball 62 times against Westside. That kind of ground-and-pound opens up big runs later in the game. It’s not flashy, but it’s effective—and it might be the key to victory.

Step four: Win the special teams battle. Westside blocked a punt against Hanna and returned it for a touchdown, jumping out to a 14-0 lead within minutes. Hanna never recovered. BHP can’t afford any slip-ups in the kicking game. They need perfect execution—clean punts, tight coverage, and, of course, to make every kick count. But special teams aren’t just about avoiding mistakes; BHP can strike here, too. They’ve got two of the best returners in the state. Flip the field, set up your offense, or even better score some points. Anything to keep Westside on their heels.

At the end of the day, it’s going to come down to the players who aren’t in the spotlight. The stars will shine, no doubt. But the game will be decided by those unsung heroes who make plays when no one expects them to.

Honestly, I can’t wait for this one. In the last decade, there have been some big regular season games for BHP, but this one? This one might be the biggest yet. I’m trying to remember the last time BHP faced off against the #1 team in the state in the regular season. Can’t think of it. But we’ll all remember it after Friday night.

Here’s hoping by the end of the game, we’ll be chanting, How ‘Bout Them Bears! all over Anderson County.



Previous Matchup: 2023

 

Score: BHP 43 -- Westside 28

BHP's 2023 vs Westside Stats Offensive:
Team Rushing: 62 rushes for 432 yards and 6 TDs
Team Passing: 6/8/2 for 41 yards
Team Total: 70 plays for 473 yards and 6 TDs

Rushing Leader: #3 Marquise Henderson - 25 rushes for 197 yards and 3 TDs
Passing Leader: #7 Noah Thomas - 6/8/2 for 41 yards
Receiving Leader: #6 Qua Alexander - 5 receptions for 24 yards
Defensive Leader: #18 Tye Kelly - 4 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 sack and 24 defensive points

Westside 2023 vs BHP Stats Offensive:
Team Rushing: 23 rushes for 167 yards and 3 TDs
Team Passing: 12/21/1 for 219 yards and 1 TD
Team Total: 44 plays for 386 yards and 4 TDs

Rushing Leader: #2 Sharode Richardson - 7 rushes for 63 yards
Passing Leader: #12 Cutter Woods - 12/21/1 for 219 yards and 1 TD
Receiving Leaders: #2 Sharode Richardson - 3 receptions for 79 yards and 1 TD



Quick Stats





Quick Note



There’s something special about watching greatness unfold right before your eyes. It’s not always obvious at first, but over time, it becomes undeniable. And if you’ve been paying any attention to BHP football over the last four years, you’ve seen it in full display every time Marquise Henderson touches the ball.

You’ve probably read my write-ups on Marquise, reciting his endless list of achievements, but indulge me just once more—he deserves another lap around the spotlight. This past Friday, with 196 yards on the ground, Marquise etched his name at the very top of BHP’s all-time rushing leaderboard. Let’s pause on that. The all-time rushing record. Not a small deal, folks. Two years ago, I wouldn’t have believed this record could be broken, yet here we are. But when a sophomore finishes with 1,336 yards, you start to feel the projections rising. And after he ripped off 2,336 yards the next season—breaking the single-season record—you knew he was coming for the crown. Now? He sits at a jaw-dropping 4,990 career rushing yards, and we’re still counting.

Having spent the last 11 years helping out with stats on Friday nights, I’ve had the privilege to witness some truly remarkable athletes. Names like Deebo Samuel at Chapman, Kelly Bryant at Wren, Shaq Lawson at Daniel, and Zach Pickens at TL Hanna all come to mind. These guys weren’t just good—they would and did win games all by themselves. I can still picture Jamayes Dixon shredding defenses in my middle school days watching BHP, but even among these titans, Marquise stands apart.

There’s something different about him. You don’t just watch Marquise play football; you witness the quiet inevitability that, at any moment, he could break the game wide open. It’s like watching a firecracker light up—there’s a burst, a second of suspense, and then an explosion of brilliance.

Want to know when I knew Marquise was the best I’d ever seen in a BHP uniform? Oddly enough, it wasn’t an offensive play—though I have plenty of those tucked away in my memory. It was his freshman year, 2021, the final game of the regular season at Wren. BHP was down 41-34, with Wren holding the ball and just needing to run out the clock to seal the region championship. Standard script, right? But after two negative runs, Wren tries to catch BHP sleeping and get a first down on a pass.

Enter Marquise. He sticks to his man in coverage, then with his great instincts pulls off this man, sees the tipped pass, and secures the pick. He doesn't pause, doesn’t think. He’s already in motion, sprinting towards midfield, breaking tackles like they’re suggestions instead of obstacles, and takes it 72 yards to the house. With mere seconds left on the clock, Marquise had single-handedly given BHP a fighting chance. BHP didn’t get the two-point conversion, but that moment told me everything I needed to know: Marquise Henderson was different, and he was going to make sure the state of South Carolina knew it too.

We’ve talked about his stats before—frankly, they’re absurd. And I’ll do a full rundown once his career wraps, but let me leave you with this little nugget: Marquise broke the school’s rushing record in 258 fewer carries than the previous record holder, Jamayes Dixon. Dixon, a legend in his own right, rushed for 4,942 yards on 717 carries. Marquise? He’s at 4,990 yards… on just 459 carries. I’ll let that sink in. For those keeping track, Dixon’s career average was a rock-solid 6.89 yards per carry, while Marquise is sitting at an unreal 11.09 yards per carry.

But it’s not just his rushing stats that set him apart. He already owns or shares 19 other BHP records. After his three-score night against Laurens, Marquise now has 80 total touchdowns for BHP. Since his freshman year, he’s been responsible for 30% of all the points the Bears have scored in that time. And we haven’t even touched on his work as a receiver, a defender, or a kick returner. He excels everywhere you put him.

What makes all of this even more impressive is the loyalty he’s shown to BHP. In an era where players transfer at the first sign of a better opportunity, Marquise has stayed true. I’m sure he’s had plenty of whispers in his ear, but he’s stuck it out with the Bears. And because of that, he can say—no, I’ll say it for him—he’s the best football player to ever don the BHP uniform.

And the best part? We’re not done yet. There are more games to be played, more records to be broken, more highlights to be made.

So on behalf of every Bear fan out there, Marquise, thank you. Thank you for the electrifying performances, for the highlights we’ll talk about for years, and for the way you’ve represented BHP with such class. We’re all lucky to have witnessed your greatness—and the ride’s not over yet.

How Bout That Bear!



Wrap Up



Bear fans, let’s be honest—ever since Westside hoisted that state championship trophy last season, this game has been circled in red ink by both fan bases. Westside wants to avenge that one smudge on an otherwise perfect season from last year, while the Bears are licking their chops for a shot at one of the best teams the state has to offer. This isn’t just a game; it’s the kind of matchup that has Friday night lights burning a little brighter, the air a little thicker with anticipation.

It’s not just about a few marquee players going head-to-head, although, yes, we’ve got some of the top talent in the state ready to throw haymakers on both sides of the ball. But the real story here is bigger—this is two heavyweight teams, arguably among the best in any classification, set to clash in a way that makes you check twice that your popcorn is ready and your seatbelt is fastened.

By late Friday night, when the dust settles and the echoes of that final whistle hang in the air like the last note of a symphony, I’m calling it: the Bears walk out victorious. Why? Because this isn’t just about talent or rankings—it’s about making a statement. And I believe the Bears are about to show the entire state exactly who they are: a team that’s not just good, but downright dangerous.

Prediction: BHP 38 - Westside 35

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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