Hey, Bear fans! We have come to that time of the preseason when I break out the crystal ball and go full-on Nostradamus on the upcoming season. Big calls, I know, but this team's got me dreaming big. Right now, BHP's just come off a scrimmage and is gearing up for a jamboree later this week. Finally, we get to see the Bears in action on the field. We're just a breath away from the games that really count, and frankly, I can't contain my excitement.
We’re done with all the hype around the stadium soundtracks and soundboard. Now it's time to dive into what we're all here for – Bear football! Each season, I serve up five burning questions for every BHP Bear team to answer. And for this season, here they are.
Welcome to the sequel: Stadium Sounds Part II, a foray into the realm of in-game sound bites. Here's the plan: pinpointing those crucial in-game moments when a well-timed sound bite can send a jolt of electricity through the team and the crowd. And how you ask, let me paint a picture for you. You know those live streamers and broadcasters with their soundboards, ready to drop a sound effect at the click of a button, like a DJ with an air horn? That's the vibe we're going for this week.
Alright, folks, it's that time of the year again, and you know what that means – we're kicking off our Bear Tracks season with a football-adjacent post! We've done it all in the past – from presenting new uniform options to waving your flag and even the mashup of BHP meets WWE last season. But this time around, we're taking on a crucial aspect of the pregame atmosphere – the ultimate pregame playlist!
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.
The playoffs bring the highest stakes a season can bring, win or go home. BHP opened this playoff march against Walhalla. Facing the Razorbacks for the second time this season, BHP looked to force their will and get to 11 wins and a second-round playoff birth. And now as we get further into November the pressure of the season and opponents get turned up. The Bears have a lot to work on this week but their full attention is now focused on the Clinton Red Devils.
BHP faced Wren in the last game of the regular season with a home playoff opportunity in the balance. Coming off the one-point loss last season to Wren, BHP would be looking to avenge that loss this season. And now the real season starts. With their only loss this season coming in region play to Powdersville, BHP finished second in the region and secured a home playoff game. With that, the Bears will match up against Walhalla who finished third in Region One.
The Bears got back to home cooking after three straight road games, and the Bears picked up right where they left off. BHP hosted Southside and outmatched the Tigers in every aspect of the game as the Bears celebrated homecoming. BHP now has to put these last three inferior teams behind them, but maintain their same level of dominance this Friday as they host the Wren Hurricanes.
On Friday night, the Bears headed to Fountain Inn High School for the first matchup in school history. While Fountain Inn only rostered freshmen and sophomores, they elected to play a full varsity schedule. And with that, BHP overmatched Fountain Inn nearly the whole game. The final score seems as if the Bears had a perfect night, and in a lot of aspects, they did. However, every game provides real examples for the Bears to get better. The Bears will use this experience and get back to work as they now focus on the Southside Tigers.
BHP took the shortest bus ride of the season up to Palmetto and secured the largest win of the season. The Bears’ firepower showed from the first offensive play and never stopped firing. In the end, the Bears outscored the Mustangs 63-10 bringing their season record to 6-1 and region record to 1-1.BHP will head to Fountain Inn High School for their first-ever matchup. This is FIHS’s first football season and they will be fielding only sophomores and freshmen.