2024 Week 5 Bear Tracks

Friday night was supposed to be cinematic—more “Miracle” than “The Shining”—but by halftime, it felt like we were stuck in a horror film, and not the fun kind. The stadium was packed, standing-room-only, like a blockbuster premiere. But, just like an M. Night Shyamalan twist, the night unraveled in ways we never saw coming.

From the opening kickoff, the plot took a hard left. If you were hoping for a feel-good underdog story, this was more Jack Nicholson smashing through a door with an ax. In this version, the role of Jack Torrance was played by Armoni Weaver of Westside. On the first kick return, he sliced through BHP's coverage team, grinning as if to say, “Here’s Armoni!”—and 81 yards later, Westside was up by seven. Neither team's offense hadn’t even touched the ball yet, but the nightmare had begun.

The first quarter wasn’t a total bloodbath. BHP hung in there, only trailing 13-7, still close enough to believe this could turn around. But that flicker of hope was extinguished in the second quarter when Westside unleashed a 28-point barrage, leaving the Bears gasping for air. This was only the fourth time since 2014 that BHP had given up more than 21 points in a quarter. When you’re on the wrong side of history like that, it’s hard to spin it. From that point on, it was like trying to climb Everest without oxygen. The fight was still there on the sideline, but the scoreboard told a different story.

Westside didn’t just show why they’re the top team in the state—they made it clear they’ll likely stay on top all season long. In 4A, nobody else seems to have the firepower to keep up with them. But even in a loss, there are always positives for BHP. You just have to know where to look.

The first silver lining: Noah Thomas’ legs. He racked up 77 yards on 9 carries, the most rushing yards he’s had in a single game in his career (for context, he had 18 total rushing yards all of last season). People have been buzzing about BHP’s need for a stronger passing game, but the threat of a QB run can open up the field in ways that mimic a solid air attack. Opponents might try stacking the box, but they’ll have to choose their poison—load up to stop the running back, and you leave Noah with space on designed runs and zone reads. It’s a beautiful, messy chess game, and right now, Noah’s the piece that could flip the board.

The second positive: games like this build something bigger. Sure, it stings now, but playing in high-stakes matchups is going to pay off down the road. BHP has had their share of important games in recent years, but there’s something special about facing a heavyweight during the regular season. These kinds of games teach you how to manage the pregame jitters, how to lock in during practice, and how to execute when the lights are brightest. Those lessons don’t disappear after a loss; they stick with you when it really counts.

Third—and maybe the most important—positive: the Bear fans. They showed up. This wasn’t a three-hour road trip, but they packed the stands, loud and proud. Even as the game slipped away, they never gave up on their team. That’s the kind of support that turns a tough season into a memorable one. One loss isn’t going to chase these fans away. They’ll be back, louder than ever, pushing the Bears forward all season long.

So, yeah, Friday didn’t go the way we all dreamed. But if you zoom out and look at the bigger picture, every one of BHP’s championship goals is still in play. Just remember: Westside handed out rings last year with 14-1 engraved on them.



Week 5 Preview



BHP turns its gaze from the top dogs in the state to a familiar foe, Palmetto—a team that’s played the role of Little Brother since BHP’s founding. And if last Friday was the bitter medicine the Bears didn’t want, this Friday promises to be the best cure for it.

Palmetto comes into this matchup at 2-2, a record that reads more like a coin flip than a solid identity. They opened their season with an absolute drubbing, a 35-0 beatdown at the hands of Wren. But hey, they dusted themselves off, clawed out an overtime thriller against Crescent (34-28), and delivered a clean 31-0 shutout to Travelers Rest. Then—just as you thought they’d found their groove—they stumbled last week, dropping a 28-9 game to Liberty. Two faces of Palmetto, right? One team that’s scoring 30 points on a good day, and another that can’t muster an offensive touchdown on a bad one (their only score against Liberty came from a kickoff return). It’s like flipping a coin and hoping you don’t land on the wrong side.

But Friday isn’t about Palmetto’s Jekyll and Hyde routine. It’s about the Bears getting back to the basics. This is about rebounding, refocusing, and putting more stock in the process than the scoreboard. Sure, I can see the Bears winning big, but if they rely solely on their athletic edge and forget about the grind of executing each play, bad habits are going to sneak in like uninvited guests at a backyard barbecue. And if there’s a cherry to throw on top? Maybe this is the game where Marquise Henderson finally breaks loose and hits that 300 or 400-yard rushing mark. He’s got it in him, and this feels like the perfect stage.

Friday’s another road game, but don’t think for a second that the Bears faithful won’t pack the away stands again. Last week, they made it feel like home, and this week? The energy in the crowd is going to mirror the intensity on the field. Expect a party atmosphere, and if the Bears play their cards right, it’ll be the kind of celebration Palmetto wishes they weren’t invited to.



Previous Matchup: 2023



Score: BHP 55 -- Palmetto 21

BHP's 2023 vs Palmetto Stats Offensive:
Team Rushing: 31 rushes for 295 yards and 5 TDs
Team Passing: 8/16/1 for 56 yards and 1 TD
Team Total: 47 plates for 351 yards and 6 TDs

Rushing Leader: #3 Marquise Henderson - 5 rushes for 143 yards and 3 TDs
Passing Leader: #7 Noah Thomas - 8/16/1 for 56 yards and 1 TD
Receiving Leaders: #6 Qua Alexander - 4 receptions for 31 yards and 1 TD
Defensive Leader: #12 Norikus Cowan - 4 Solo tackles, 3 TFLs, 1 PBU, and 27 Defensive points.

Palmetto's 2023 vs BHP Stats Offensive:
Team Rushing: 20 rushes for -26 yards and 1 TD
Team Passing: 20/27/2 for 261 yards and 1 TD
Team Total: 47 plays for 235 and 2 offensive TDs

Rushing Leader: #17 Cooper Robinson - 6 rushes for 3 yards and 1 TD
Passing Leader: #2 Brooks Janssen - 20/27/2 for 261 yards and 1 TD
Receiving Leaders: #4 Tyce Garner - 4 receptions for 126 yards and 1 TD



Quick Stats





Wrap Up



The beauty of football is that it’s never really about the last play. It’s about the next one. You get knocked down, sure. Everyone does. But football gives you a shot at redemption with every snap, a chance to rewrite the narrative in real time. The Bears took a hit last week—no sugarcoating that—but the great thing about this game is that you don’t have to dwell in the past. You just stand up, dust yourself off, and wait for the next whistle.

This week, the Bears aren’t interested in being the nail anymore. They’ve had enough of that. It’s time to get back to being the hammer—because if there's one thing we know, it’s that this team doesn’t stay down for long. They're not just playing for the win, they’re playing to remind everyone exactly who they are. And when that first hit lands, you’ll see it: the Bears are done with defense—they’re back on offense, and it’s about to get physical.

Prediction: BHP 63 - Palmetto 6

We want to see all of you Bear fans at Palmetto 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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