Once again, the Bears are forcing us to realize that every game has two halves. Against Woodruff, BHP jumped out to a 22-0 lead only to see the Wolverines claw back to within eight points. However, BHP was able to grab the final onside kick attempt and run out the remainder of the clock to give BHP their second win of the season. As BHP narrowly escapes with a victory over Woodruff, they now turn their attention to the Abbeville Panthers.
Week 6 Preview
Calling Abbeville the defending 2A State Champions, while true, is not giving them enough credit. Going back to 2016, they have won 4 State Championships, have a 70-2-1 record, and are currently on a 15 game winning streak. Not to mention how they have won, outscoring opponents 2,858 to 730 or 39 to 10 per game in that same span.
To put those numbers in perspective, BHP is 40 and 17 since 2016 and has scored 1,759 points while giving up 1,268.
This season Abbeville is living up to its high standard. The Panthers are undefeated with wins over McCormick, Newberry, Emerald, and Woodland. They have outscored their opponents 178 to 20 so far this season.
But the great thing about football is that no matter how big Goliath is, how long the win streak is, or how many people expect you to lose, you still play the game. David always gets his chance and in the end, we all know how that story ended.
1995 Game Stats (Last Matchup)
Score: BHP 6 -- Abbeville 17
Quick Stats
- BHP is 4-9-1 all-time against Abbeville.
- BHP’s last win against Abbeville was in 1993 (35-27).
- BHP has 19 rushes over 12 yards this season (explosive rush), 4.75 explosive rushes per game, which is 1 explosive rush per game more than last season.
- BHP is averaging 1.75 completions over 18 yards (explosive pass) per game. This rate is the second-lowest per game in the last 5 seasons. Only the 1.25 explosive passes per game last season are lower.
- Since 2014 BHP is 34-2 when they have fewer turnovers than their opponent (only losses came against T.L. Hanna in 2017 and Westside in 2014).
- Since 2014 BHP is 11-21 when they have more turnovers than their opponent.
- The 187 BHP penalty yards to Woodruff’s 58 penalty yards is the second-largest disparity since 2014 (largest was 2019 - BHP 168 penalty yards to Seneca’s 26).
- BHP is 17-3 in games where they are penalized over 100 yards.
- The 187 penalty yards against Woodruff are the most since 2014.
- BHP has had 4 games since 2014 where they were penalized over 100 yards more than their opponent. BHP has won all 4 games.
- Since 2014 BHP has scored 20 or more points in the first half 37 times, BHP is 36-1 in those games (only lost was 2015 against Seneca 27-46).
- AJ Pendleton became the 13th BHP player with 100 or more yards rushing in a game since 2014. These 13 players did it 58 times in that timeframe.
- In games where BHP has a 100-yard rusher, BHP is 37-6 since 2014.
- BHP is averaging 66.3 offensive plays per game, which is the most since 2014.
- BHP is outscoring their opponents 42-28 in the second quarter this season.
- BHP has only 1 passing TD this season.
- Abbeville has outscored their opponents 178 to 20 this season.
- Abbeville has won 15 straight games. The last loss was in the State Semifinal game in 2019 vs Saluda.
- The last regular-season loss for the Panthers came to Hartsville 28-21 in 2017.
- Since 2016 Abbeville is 70-2-1.
- Abbeville has won four of the last five 2A State Championships.
- Since 2016 Abbeville has outscored their opponents 2,858 to 730 or 39 to 10 per game.
- Coach Blackston sits at 96 career BHP wins.
Conclusion
Earlier this year I used the Babe Ruth quote, “Yesterday's home runs don't win today's games”. This could not be more true, no matter how many State Championships Abbeville has won, or how many points they have scored, those points do not count Friday night at Marlee Gambrell Field.
A note to all inside the BHP football program. Here is a video that should encourage you. Do not concern yourself with the opinions of people outside of the arena. Just know, as Teddy says in his speech, your place will never be with the timid ones who neither know victory or defeat.
Prediction: BHP 21 - Abbeville 17
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