Season End Bear Tracks

Two weeks ago the Bears traveled to Clinton to take on the undefeated Red Devils. This matchup was one of the biggest in the state and eyes from all over the state were fixed on this one.

A tropical storm moved through the day before and the field was holding over 24 hours of rain, but when most of the teams in the state moved their games to a different day, these two faced off as these two old-school teams should. And after 3 hours and 6 explosive plays, BHP’s season came to a close.

The game started off just as the Bears would have wanted. Clinton got a couple of first downs on their first drive but after the 4 and 6 pass came up incomplete, the Bears would take over on the 27-yard line. Three plays later, AJ Pendleton drops back and as Eli Strickland goes deep, the Clinton cornerback slips, Strickland makes the catch and sprints 73 yards for the first TD of the game.

All momentum was on the BHP sideline and the stadium looked at the underdog as a true heavyweight. However, on the ensuing kickoff, Justin Copeland gathered in the kickoff on the 3-yard line and returned it 97 yards for a touchdown. And just like that, the game is back tied and momentum shifted again.

BHP was stymied the next couple of drives, either by the wet field or penalties and the Red Devils took advantage of the slow Bear offense. Clinton’s next two drives ended in a play that each went for more than 40 yards. The first was a 75-yard pass to Justin Copeland and the next was a 47-yard rush from Jayden Robinson.

The Bears would claw back right before the half when Marquise Henderson handled the slipped snap and out-raced the defense to the endzone for a 36-yard TD. But on the PAT, Clinton blocked the try. The Bears would trail 21-13 going into halftime.

The second half would be one of the hardest defensive-fought halves BHP played all season. Both teams could not get a rhythm on offense and both defenses flexed their might. It seemed like BHP was starting to look like they were figuring out some ways to exploit the Red Devils, but then Clinton scored on another explosive play by Justin Copeland, a 54-yard rush that would cement the win for the Red Devils.

I outlined the matchup in the last Bear Tracks and you can look there to understand how big the matchup was. While BHP pushed one of the top teams in the state to the brink, they just came up short.

I will review the season in the next section, but even when the Bears come up short as they did against Clinton, they play with the intensity and fight we would all want our team to do. The game BHP played was one we absolutely will be proud of and one the Bears can build on next year.

Season Wrap-up

Coming into the season this team had as many question marks as any other. Returning key players at key positions, but relying on underclassmen at a large number of positions had Bear fans both optimistic and unsure of how the season would play out.

In the first game against Westside, we all were able to see a glimpse of how this team could be special. Getting a come-from-behind victory on the legs of Marquise Henderson and the might of the Bear defense, BHP started their season as they hoped.

With the first win under their belt, the second game against Laurens carried a historical undertone. The Bears forced their will and won in a blowout and in the win Coach Blackston earned his 100th career win as the Bears’ head coach.

After the 100th win, Coach Blackston got 101, 102, and 103 against Woodruff, Emerald, and Walhalla. In those games, BHP outscored the opponents from 113 to 41. This brings BHP’s season record to 5-0 heading into region play.

BHP opened their region play with what would become the biggest game of the regular season. BHP traveled to Powdersville in a game that would decide the region championship. The game was so big (and there was an incoming hurricane) that the game was moved to Thursday night. With the stadium packed, BHP fought to the end but came up short and got their first loss of the season.

BHP bounced back in a huge way as they traveled to Palmetto the following week. BHP scored 63 points against Palmetto, and this started a winning streak of 4 games to close out the regular season. In those 4 games against Palmetto, Fountain Inn, Southside, and Wren BHP averaged 54 points per game while allowing only 9.5 points per game.

BHP ended the regular season with only one loss and opened the playoffs with a home game against Walhalla. Walhalla played BHP closer than they did in the regular season, but the Bears won by 18 and moved on to round 2.

In round 2 BHP faced Clinton in one of the largest games of the season. The game combined for 21 total wins and the game did not disappoint. We went in-depth earlier in this post about the outcome, but as the clock hit all zeros the Bears’ season ended.

What a season this was. Coming into the season I started to look ahead, and in my mind, the wins started to add up and my optimism for the season started to get rolling. But as the Bears took the field the actual play was more than even I expected. From the explosive runs from Marquise Henderson to Houdini-like plays from AJ Pendleton to outstanding catches from Eli Strickland, Nevada Billups, and Drew Taylor, the Bears set records on offense. The defense did not let the offense outshine them either. The defense imposed its will and limited some of the top offenses all season.

All in all, this season had nearly endless memorial moments. This team should be remembered as one of the best, especially one of the best coached by Coach Blackston.

2011 Game Stats (Last Matchup)

BHP Team Stats
Rushing: 483 rushes for 3,338 yards and 42 TDs (282.3 yards/game)
Passing: 118/178/6 for 1,649 yards and 22 TDs (66.3% completion rate, 137.4 yards/game)
Total: 661 plays for 5,037 yards and 64 offensive TDs. (420 total yards/game)

BHP Individual Leaders
Rushing: Marquise Henderson - 128 rushes for 1,336 yards (10.44 yards/rush), 18 TDs, and an 82-yard longest rush
Passing: AJ Pendleton - 107/164/6 for 1,595 yards (65.2% completion rate), 22 TDs, and 77 yards longest pass
Receiving: Eli Strickland - 31 receptions for 561 yards (18.1 yards/catch), 12 TDs, and a 73-yard longest reception
Defense: Andrew Dickerson - 24 first hits, 30 assists, 26 solo tackles, 2 TFL, 1 caused fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 1 INT, 8 pass breakups, and 203 defensive points

Opponent Team Stats
Rushing: 342 rushes for 1,541 yards and 13 TDs (128.4 yards/game)
Passing:131/263/6 for 1,581 yards and 13 TDs (49.8% completion rate, 131.8 yards/game)
Total: 605 plays, for 3,122 yards and 26 offensive TDs (260 yards/game)

Opponent Individual Leaders
Rushing: Powdersville’s Thomas Williams - 15 rushes for 114 yards (7.6 yards/rush) and 3 TDs with a 22-yard longest rush
Passing: Walhalla’s Bryce Payne (Round 1) - 14/28/1 for 248 yards (50% completion rate) and 3 TDs with a 62-yard longest pass
Receiving: Walhalla’s Nathaniel Collins (Round 1) - 6 catches for 87 yards and 1 TD with a 62-yard longest reception

Thank Yous

Each year in the last post of the season I try to recognize the people and groups that we are so thankful for and could not do what we do without. And like each year, I end this way but in no way do these people come last when the appreciation and gratitude I have for them.

First I want to thank this team. The special moments, the big games, the individual performances, and the plays all were special this season. I see this team from the outside, but how it played and conducted itself on the field was something I appreciate.

With that, I want to thank Coach Blackston and the coaching staff. I thank you for letting me have the access I do and allowing me to have a small part in BHP Football.

Next, to the school as a whole, thank you for your support for the football program, especially the Athletic Department, principals, and district administration.

As with every year, we get to share press boxes with Joel, Allen, and Chandler Kay as they broadcast the radio program. I do thank you for the help you all give and the kind words you say. Also, for half of the season, we share the press box with our home press box staff. We are thankful for their help and enjoy working with them every home game.

I want to thank my Dad for another season of bickering over a 3-yard run and car rides talking football and family. I believe he is getting close to 20 years of being the head statistician and his commitment to the football program is admirable.

Lastly, and as always, the one above everyone else and who does more to help keep ThemBears.com going, is my wife. Our family gets a small taste of what the coaches and their families go through for months. Missed bedtimes, unable to help with the tantrums, and late nights all come on those Friday football nights. I am not gifted enough to put into writing or even into words I say how much I am thankful for her and how much she means to me.

Conclusion

As we conclude this season we are so proud of this team and their accomplishments, but also so excited for what is coming at BHP. This team set records and won 10 games, but personally, I feel this is just a start for the Bears in the next few years.

We thank you for following us and interacting with us all season, and with that, we head off to hibernation.

One last time, HOW BOUT THEM BEARS!!!!

Go Bears!