Bear Tracks Week 2 | 2018

BHP opened up the 2018 season with a dominating win over Powdersville. Offensively BHP looked to be clicking on all cylinders with the defense not far behind. The game was a great way to kick off the season for the Bears, get a win under their belts, and allow a lot of players to get game experience before the competition level increases.

Week 1 Review

BHP dominated Powdersville on all fronts Friday night that led to a 51-7 victory. On offense, efficiency was the name of the game both on the ground and in the air. BHP went 10 for 11 in the passing game and averaged nearly 6.7 yards per rush. Along with the efficiency, BHP was able to show explosiveness with a 70 yard passing TD and a 35 yard rushing TD.

On defense, the Bears showed a very tough bend but don’t break mentality. Because of the effectiveness of the offense, the defense was on the field for 25 more plays than the offense ran. Even with that, the Bears only allowed 7 points, had a defensive score, and limited Powdersville to 3.16 yards per play. However, some aspects looked like it was the first game of the year. At points tackling was suspect and because of the large number of plays, fatigue seemed to be an issue at other times. Nevertheless, it was a great showing by the defense and new coordinator Jennings.

BHP was able to win on special teams as well. On the first punt return, BHP was able to produce pressure and cause a very bad punt which was then fielded and returned for a TD.

On a “slightly too early to be tracking but we are tracking anyway” note, Coach Blackston is 12 wins away from becoming the all time wins leader in BHP history.

Week 1 Review Stats

• BHP scored 50 or more points only 7 times in the last 4 seasons, none last year.
• First 30 point quarter for BHP since 2014.
• ⅓ of BHP’s offensive plays went for 10 or more yards.
• The 272 yards passing was the 3rd most in a game for BHP since 2014.
• Bratcher is the only BHP QB since 2014 to have 10 or more completions and a 75% or better completions percentage in a game, he has done it twice.
• Since 2014 BHP has had 10 games where they gained more passing yards than rushing yards.
• BHP has only had 3 punt returns for touchdowns since 2014.
• BHP had 49% more penalties in this game than they averaged in the 2017 season.
• Powdersville ran 21% more plays while gaining 23% less yards than the 2017 average of BHP opponents.
• With 10 completions on 11 passes, Bratcher ties Claude Arnold for the BHP record of highest completions percentage in a game.
• The 11.43 yards per play is the most yards per play for BHP since we started gathering the statistics in 2014, .75 yards per play more than the second highest.

Week 2 Preview

Of all of the non-conference games on BHP’s schedule, this may be the most anticipated. Last season the region championship came down to the last game of the season, matching BHP against Greenville with the winner taking the crown.

In the game BHP trailed 21-7 going into halftime, but came storming back with a 21 point third quarter. BHP led 28-21 going into the fourth quarter, then the mayhem ensued. Greenville scored on their first drive of the fourth quarter, then BHP answered with a 23 yard field goal to regain the lead. Greenville then scored a TD with 3:40 left in the game. On the kickoff, BHP’s Braylon Oliver returned the kick 97 yards for a TD and gave the Bears the lead. Greenville took over with just over 3 minutes left in the game and drove 74 yards and scored the game winning TD with 20 seconds left.

Hopefully the excitement will be the same this year, but with a opposite outcome.

Last Season’s Game

Score: BHP - 38, Greenville - 42

BHP Stats

Total Yards: 387 yards on 54 plays

Rushing Yards: 96 yards on 27 rushes

Passing Yards: 15/27/0 for 291 yards and 3 TDs (The most passing yards since 2014)

Individual Leaders

Rushing: R.J. Ellis - 20 rushes for 92 yards (1 of 9 BHP players since 2014 with 20 or more rushes that did not gain 100 or more yards)

Passing: Camden Bratcher - 15/27/0 for 291 yards and 3 TDs (7th most passing yardage in a game by a BHP passer in BHP history)

Receiving: Zy Scott - 6 catches for 151 yards and 2 TDs

Greenville Stats

Total Yards: 537 yards on 84 plays (most yards given up by BHP since 2014)

Rushing Yards: 119 yards on 34 rushes

Passing Yards: 31/50/1 for 418 yards and 5 TDs

Individual Leaders

Rushing: Danyaus Williams-Byrd - 15 rushes for 78 yards

Passing: Davis Beville - 30/49/1 for 415 yards and 4 TDs (only the 2nd time in 4 seasons that BHP had given up 300 or more passing yards, both came via Beville)

Receiving: Tydricus Hellams - 12 receptions for 254 yards and 3 TDs (The only individual to gain 200 or more receiving yards against BHP in the last 4 seasons.)

As impressive as BHP was in their opening game, Greenville has matched them in their first two games of the season beating Woodmont 41-23 and Wade Hampton 27-0.

Conclusion

With the win over Powdersville, BHP opened their 2018 season on a positive note, but the questions asked by Powdersville will not be the same ones asked by Greenville. The caliber of team ramps up exponentially and BHP’s performance has to match. Reliance on talent will not provide the same outcomes. A true team pursuit is what will be required to win.

With a clash of two of the top 4A teams in the state, I see BHP making a statement with a 35-21 victory over Greenville this Friday night and setting a showdown with the best team in the state, T.L. Hanna, next Friday night.

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).