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.
The Bears' first half played out as most expected. BHP jumped out to a 29-6 lead going into halftime. The second half played out quite the opposite. Walhalla played their brand of football exceptionally well in the second half. Slowing the pace of the game and winning the time of possession battle stifled BHP’s offensive rhythm and kept the defense on the field for extended drives.
Although the Bears did not play the perfect game or even one of their top 5 games of the season, BHP got the win and kept their season alive.
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.
Round 2 Preview
I am starting to run out of adjectives and analogies to explain how big and important these games are for the Bears. But let me try. This is the most momentous, historical, critical, crucial, pivotal, and consequential of any game in the last decade for the Bears (yes I found a thesaurus). Yet, no matter how many descriptive words I add to characterize this matchup, the beauty of football is results will always outweigh hype. But even so, I am hyped for this game.
Clinton comes in steamrolling everyone they have faced this year. Their wins have come over Batesburg-Leesville, Laurens, Newberry, Aiken, Chapman, South Aiken, Union County, Woodruff, Chester, Emerald, and Travelers Rest. All except Union County made a playoff birth.
In these 11 wins, Clinton has averaged 50 points per game while allowing 17.7. The 550 total points scored by Clinton is the second most in all classifications in South Carolina this season only Greenville has scored more at 579 total points.
Bryson James, Clinton's star running back and linebacker and a finalist for Mr. Football in South Carolina, leads this team on both sides of the ball. In the first round, James rushed only 5 times but scored 2 TDs and gained 142 yards. The Red Devils gained 392 rushing yards on 36 rushes total last week.
All these stats seem to be stacking up against The Bears. Yet, do not let the view of the obstacle get in the way of actually running the race. BHP comes into the game with a high-power offense as well. BHP is averaging 42.3 points per game while allowing 16.5 points per game.
As run-heavy as the Red Devils seem to be, BHP has trended toward a more balanced offense. The Bears are best when the pass can counter the pounding (and explosive) run game. And we have seen what BHP’s weapons at receiver can do when the ball gets put in the air.
No matter how the Bears get them, a lot of points will need to pile up Friday. BHP has the players on both sides and at all levels to come out ahead and pile up those points. This game has all the makings to be one of the best games in BHP playoff history and we cannot wait to head down to Clinton and see the Bears take on the Red Devils.
2011 Game Score (Last Matchup)
Score: BHP 25 -- Clinton 22
Quick Stats
- BHP is 8-9-2 all-time against Clinton (1-4 when meeting in the playoffs).
- 11 of the 19 games played between BHP and Clinton have been decided by 7 or fewer points (9 have been decided by 3 or fewer).
- BHP has averaged 13.2 points per game against Clinton while Clinton has averaged 15.7 points per game against BHP.
- There have only been 2 games between BHP and Clinton that a team has scored 30 or more points (BHP 41 in 1968 and Clinton 39 in 2009).
- Coach Blackston is 2-0 against Clinton as BHP’s Head Football Coach.
- The matchup between BHP and Clinton has the most combined wins (21) of any playoff matchup at any level this season.
- The 550 total points scored by Clinton is the second most in all classifications in South Carolina this season; only Greenville has scored more at 579 total points.
- All of Clinton’s opponents this season except Union County made a playoff appearance.
- All of BHP’s opponents this season except Fountain Inn and Palmetto made a playoff appearance.
- Both BHP and Clinton are in the top 5 of 3A teams with the largest point differentials.
- BHP and Clinton are 2 of only 5 3A teams with 10 or more wins this season.
- This BHP team will try to become the 6th BHP team to win 11 or more games in a season.
- BHP is 144 rushing yards from breaking the single-season team rushing yards record for BHP (the current record is 3,338 set in 1999).
- BHP is 405 total yards from breaking the single-season team total yards record for BHP (the current record is 5,126 set in 2016).
- The 42.3 points per game BHP has averaged this season is the highest average in BHP history.
- Peter Bertoni has broken the single-season PAT record set in 2014 with 56 PATs this season.
- AJ Pendleton has surpassed 4,000 career all-purpose yards and is now 9th all-time in career all-purpose yards.
Conclusion
This game meets at the crossroads of history and tradition. Both teams have played some monumental 3A games against each other and this Friday will write another chapter in this historic rivalry. There will be nearly no one outside of Belton or Honea Path to pick the Bears to win, but trust me here the Bears have what it takes and BHP will return home with a win this Friday.
Prediction: BHP 38 - Clinton - 35
Let me even tell you how this game will end. Clinton will drive down into the red zone and face 4th and 3 on the 15-yard line with less than two minutes left in the game. The Red Devils try to convert the first down to seal the game, but the Bears hold and take over on downs. Two plays later the away stands erupt as Marquise Henderson pulls away from the pack and sprints 71 yards into the endzone to put the Bears up by 3 and win the game. (You heard it here first)
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