Bear Tracks Week 9 | 2018

BHP headed up into the foothill mountains to face Pickens looking for their second region win of the season last week. With performances that landed one player in the record books and one player 8 catches shy of an all time BHP record, BHP was able to open an early lead and hold off a late push from Pickens and brought back the win, 27-10.

With the win over Pickens, BHP turned their focus to Wren. BHP has played Wren 4th most of any other school, 34 times, since BHP became a school in 1966. Few of those 34 matchups held as much at stake as this one. Both teams look to cement their hold on 2nd place in the region and a home playoff game, while BHP will look to keep their region championship goal alive.

Week 8 Review

BHP and Pickens came into the game last Friday coming off their first region wins of the season the week before. BHP was able to put together one of their best performances in a half all season and jumped out to a 27-3 lead at halftime. From there BHP coasted to a 27-10 win.

The first half of the game was the best team performance the Bears have put together all season. BHP was able to use the run to open the field for the passing attack. BHP gained 311 of the 390 total yards and scored all 27 points in the first half. In the second half, the pace of the game slowed and BHP became more sloppy, but was able to lean on the defense to close the game and secure their second region win of the season.

Week 8 Quick Stats

• Camden Bratcher’s 94.4% completion percentage (17 completions on 18 attempts) broke the single game completions percentage record at BHP (minimum 10 attempts).
• Xavier Nance is 8 receptions away from becoming the career receptions leader in BHP history.
• The three fumbles lost against Pickens was only the 2nd time since 2014 that BHP lost 3 or more offensive fumbles in a game. The other came against Daniel in 2014 and BHP lost 28-20.
• The 311 total yards gained in the 1st half against Pickens was only the 8th time BHP had gained 300 or more yards in a half since 2014.
• 3 passing TDs against Pickens was the 11th time the Bears did so since 2014. BHP has done this 4 times this season. BHP is 9-1 in those games.
• BHP is averaging 3 more rushing yards on 4 less rushes per game than they did last season.
• BHP is averaging 53 more total yards per game than they did last season.
• BHP is allowing 18.4% more points and 11.2% more total yards per game than they did last season.
• BHP has gained and allowed 123 first downs this season.
• BHP has gained 8 first downs on penalties, while allowing 21 first downs on penalties.
• BHP is averaging 15.1 yards per completion, nearly 2 yards per completions more than last season and the most since 2014.
• BHP held Pickens to a 16.95% success rate, the lowest mark for any BHP opponent all season.
• BHP still has not scored a 3rd quarter rushing TD this season.
• In the 2nd quarters of games this season BHP has scored 46% of their points and gained 33% of total yards.
• BHP has scored 58 total points in the 4 minutes before and after halftime this season, the lowest amount in the last 4 seasons.

-Correction from last week’s post. Coach Blackston is now 39-10 in region games at BHP.

Week 9 Preview

BHP will face Wren in a match up that will at the least determine second place in the region, but with a BHP win, BHP will be in position to challenge for a region title next week against Daniel. Both teams come into the game with only one region loss, BHP’s to Walhalla and Wren’s to Daniel.

This matchup will be one of the toughest BHP will have this season. Wren leads all 4A teams in total points scored this season and is third in point differential. Wren will look to spread the field horizontally with a quick pass attack. BHP will be required to tackle in space and be able to be mentally engaged every play.

Historic matchups between Wren and BHP have heavily favored BHP. Since 2000, BHP is 12-2 against Wren (only losses coming in 2012 and 2014). However, recently the games have become much more competitive. Since 2010 BHP has averaged 36 points per game against Wren, while Wren has averaged 29.7 points per game.

2017 BHP vs Wren

Score: BHP 20 - Wren 10

BHP Stats

Total Yards: 66 plays for 378 yards and 2 TDs

Rushing Yards: 44 rushes for 215 yards and 1 TD

Passing Yards: 17/22/0 for 163 yards and 1 TD

BHP Individual Leaders

Rushing: RJ Ellis - 38 rushes for 215 yards and 1 TD

Passing: Camden Bratcher - 17/22/0 for 163 yards and 1 TD

Receiving: Bralyn Oliver - 6 receptions for 57 yards

Wren Stats

Total Yards: 58 plays for 256 yards and 1 TD

Rushing Yards: 23 rushes for 83 yards and 1 TD

Passing Yards: 22/34/2 for 173 yards

Wren Individual Leaders

Rushing: Daniel Taffer - 11 rushes for 53 yards and 1 TD

Passing: Tyrell Jackson - 22/34/2 for 173 yards

Receiving: Luke Bryant - 8 receptions for 86 yards

Conclusion

As the weather cools, the games start to heat up. BHP still has championship aspirations and with no room to slip up, they look to move pass Wren. However, Wren will present a type of game that the Bears have not seen all season. BHP will need to lean on a formidable rushing attack, explosive down field passing, and a defense that has been playing much better as the season has gone along.

We see BHP reverting to a strong running game sprinkled with explosive passes to keep Wren off the field. BHP wins 28-21.

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