Bear Tracks Week 1 | 2018

It’s the week that Bear fans have been looking toward all summer, Game Week. As the Bears prepare to take the field this week we want to give you a review of BHP’s past Week 1 games as well as the last couple of matchups against Powdersville.

As the 2018 season begins, BHP has many familiar faces returning on both sides of the ball. One main difference you will see with the Bears this season is the change at Defensive Coordinator. Long tenured Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach Steve Williams steps away and Assistant Coach Jarad Jennings has taken over. Jennings both played and coached under Williams and will look to continue the defensive backbone that BHP has been known for.

Historical Week 1 Stats

• The last time BHP lost a Week 1 game was in 2012 against Laurens, 20-17 in overtime.
• As head coach at BHP, Coach Blackston has a 7-1 record in season opening games.
• Since 2014 BHP has averaged 34 points, 171 rushing yards, and 195 passing yards per game in Week 1 games.
• Since 2014 BHP has allowed an average of 8 points, 68 rushing yards and 68 passing yards per game in Week 1 games.
• In the last 4 seasons 13.4% of BHP’s regular season passing yards have come in Week 1.
• In the last 4 seasons 4.4% of BHP’s regular season points allowed have come in Week 1.

Previous Games Against Powdersville

• In the two games against Powdersville, BHP has averaged 36.5 points, 423 rushing yards, and 110 passing yards per game.
• BHP has only rushed for 375 or more yards in a single game four times since 2014 and two of the four have come against Powdersville.
• Last season BHP gained 467 rushing yards, 134 passing yards for 601 total yards against Powdersville. That was the 2nd most rushing yards and tied for the most total yards in a game since 2014 for BHP.
• Last season against Powdersville BHP incurred the most penalties in BHP history, 23-142. Nearly 18% of BHP’s 2017 penalties came against Powdersville.

Last Season vs Powdersville

Last season BHP travelled to Powdersville for the first time since the school was established. BHP played in Week 0 last season and came into the Powdersville game 1-0 while Powdersville opened their season against BHP. As Powdersville is the newest Anderson County high school, they have already struck up a rivalry with BHP.

Even with the lopsided score outcome, the game was very close at halftime (20-14 BHP), with the Bears trailing after the 1st Quarter. BHP was able make some adjustments at halftime and outscored Powdersville 21-7 in the second half.

2017 Game Stats

Score: BHP - 41, Powdersville - 21

BHP Yardage:

• 601 total yards on 70 plays (206 more yards and 10 more plays than the 2016 average).
• 467 rushing yards on 47 rushes (the 4th highest yard per rush game in the last 4 seasons) and 6 rushing TDs (in one of three games in the last four seasons BHP rushed 6 or more TDs).
• 134 yards passing on 11/23/0 and no passing TDs.
• BHP was penalized 23 times for 142 yards (both were the most of the 2017 season).
• BHP gained 22 first downs (3rd most in the last 4 seasons).

Powdersville Yardage:

• 351 total yards on 58 plays (3rd most total yards given up in the 2017 regular season).
• 105 rushing yards on 25 rushes (one of four games last season BHP gave up 100 or more rushing yards).
• 246 passing yards on 16/33/2 with 2 TDs (2nd most passing yards and passing TDs given up by BHP in the 2017 regular season).

Conclusion

As exciting as the start of the season is every year, with a new team there are many questions to be asked and there could be even more this season. What will the defense look like under a new coordinator? Can the Bears replace one of the most dominating defensive players in team history? Will the offense gel and dominate with a plethora of returning players? Will BHP finally turn into a high volume passing attack with an experienced QB at the wheel? One great aspect of football is that questions get answered when players take the field.

As we get ready for opening night at home, we harken back to our Week 1 post from last season. All teams tout being undefeated and having a chance to accomplish goals before Game 1. However, after the first game, only 50% of those teams will have a winning record. The old wise saying goes, “You have to win the first to win them all” and that is exactly what BHP will be playing for this Friday against Powdersville.

We see BHP getting the win Friday Night 35-17 and getting the 2018 campaign off on a positive foot.

Nevertheless, this will be a great game and we should all support the team by showing up for the game. But if you cannot make it, be sure to follow us on twitter @bhp_bears for live updates.

Let us know if you agree or disagree with our prediction in the comments below or on our social media pages (@bhp_bears or /howboutthembears).