Week 8 Review & Week 9 Preview

BHP rolled into their Week 8 match up with Daniel on a four game winning streak and a seven game region winning streak. Both were extended with a 21-7 win over Daniel. Historically this match up would decide the region winner (since 2000, 15 of the 17 seasons either BHP or Daniel has won or shared 1st place in the region). With the win over Daniel, BHP keeps their region title hopes alive.

 

To continue the hope of a region title, BHP will travel to Wren. BHP will need to be able to slow the game down and not let Wren’s hyper offense get started. BHP showed the ability to stop the run against Daniel, but has still shown that they are susceptible to a deep passing attack. We will see how they fair against a pass happy team on Friday at Wren.

 

Week 8 Review

 

BHP was able to show a balanced offensive performance with 157 rushing yards and 197 yards passing. BHP has been rounding themselves into an offense that relies on being balanced and the results in the season record is a testament. Along with the balanced attack on offense, BHP showed dominance on defense, especially in stopping the run.

 

Even as Daniel did not enter the game with the normal season record and striving for a region title, they pushed the Bears just as they have in previous match ups. A large number of 3 and outs and a small number of points being scored beckoned back to years ago and we are hopeful it will become 16 of 18 years of either BHP or Daniel winning the region (because BHP is the only one of the two to still have a chance this season).

 

Fast Facts

 

BHP is averaging 54.3 total yards, 45 rushing yards and 10.3 passing yards less than last season’s averages.

 

BHP is allowing an average of 64.7 total yards, 14.1 rushing yards and 50.6 passing yards less than last season’s averages.

 

BHP is averaging 11.8 penalties per game for 100.9 yards per game. That is 57.5% more penalties per game and 47.0% more penalty yards per game than last season.

 

This season BHP has had 5 games with 10 or more penalties. Last season BHP had no regular season games with 10 or more penalties.

 

BHP is averaging 31.4 points per game, the same as last season.

 

BHP is limiting their opponents to 13.8 points per game, 5.1 points per game fewer than last season.

 

BHP’s opponents are averaging 51 plays per game this season with only an average of 27 plays going for positive yardage.

 

The interception against Daniel was the first interception by caused by BHP since Week 3 against Easley.

 

BHP had 9 negative yardage plays against Daniel, the most in a game this season.

 

The -11 rushing yards by Daniel was the 3rd least gained against BHP since 2014 (West-Oak, 2015 with -25 and West-Oak, 2014 with -14)

 

The 197 passing yards was the 5th most passing yards gained by BHP in a win

 

Through 8 games BHP has scored 66 points in the 2nd half which is the lowest mark in the last 4 years (2014 – 115, 2015 – 83, 2016 – 152).

 

Through 8 games BHP has allowed only 35 points in the 2nd half which is the least in the last 4 years (2014 – 43, 2015 – 70, 2016 – 57).

 

5 of the top 10 most penalized games by yards for since 2014 for BHP have come this season. (3 of the top 5). However, they are 7-3 in those 10 games

 

This season BHP has been penalized 60 times for 437 yards in the second half of games this season. (2016 – 30 for 255, 2017 – 43 for 348 and 2014 – 41 for 330)

 

Check out the full stat line at the Week 8 box score

 

Week 9 Preview

 

BHP will take on Wren in this second to last match up in the regular season. Wren enter the game 6-2 with their only losses to Powdersville and Greenville. This match up may decide if BHP will get a home playoff game or not. If BHP wins they will lock up at least 2nd place in the region. A loss could push BHP to third if BHP loses to Greenville next week. However, if BHP wins the next two they will remain the region champion.

 

BHP will look to shut down Wren’s passing offense who has gained over 1700 yards passing and 1000 yard rushing. BHP will try and limit Wren’s offense as they did last season. Coming into the game last season Wren was averaging 224 passing yards per game. Against BHP they only gained 94 passing yards, Wren’s least all season. BHP will one want to play well on defense, but also be efficient on offense to limit the amount of possessions Wren gets.

 

Game Stats

 

BHP – 34, Wren – 14

 

BHP Stats

 

63 plays for 483 total yards (3rd most total yards last season)

45 rushes for 345 yards

18 passes with 11 completions for 138 yards

 

Wren Stats

59 plays for 175 total yards

33 rushes for 79 yards

26 passes with 14 completions for 96 passing yards

 

Check out the full wrap up in last year’s Week 9 Stat Review

 

Wrap Up

 

BHP heads into Week 9 with a 7-1 record and in the driver’s seat to win the region. If BHP wins the next two games against Wren and Greenville, BHP will become back to back region champions. BHP will be put to the test against a pass happy offense that will require BHP to play outstanding defense and to put up enough points on offense. BHP will need to play a cleaner game than they have this season. Wren will be the toughest region opponent BHP will have faced this season. It will be important to take the positives BHP gained from the Daniel game and apply them to this week’s match up.

 

We will go with a 28-10 BHP victory, which will set up a showdown between the Bears and Greenville to end the regular season and crown a region winner.

 

The game will be at Wren this Friday night, so come out and support your Bears. 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).