Belton-Honea Path wasn’t going to let the heat-related injuries cramp its style.
The Bears rushed for 432 yards, seven per carry, and six touchdowns Friday night in a 43-28 high school football opening-night win against Westside.
Marquise Henderson had 197 of those yards and three of those TDs, the last one after leaving the game twice because of cramps on a day in which the temperature reached 98 degrees with a heat index value of 105 according to the National Weather Service. The numbers had declined somewhat by kickoff, but play was stopped numerous times as players on both teams went to the sidelines for relief from the conditions.
At the end, when Belton-Honea Path needed a long drive to seal the victory, Henderson was in and out, converting a couple of third downs as the Bears scored a final touchdown with 21 seconds left.
“It wasn’t easy,” said Henderson, a junior who rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season. “But we’re going to fight to the last minute. I never think I can’t go back in the game.”
Westside (0-1) entered this week ranked No. 7 in the 864 Huddle Super 25 list of top teams in the Upstate, while Belton-Honea Path (1-0) was No. 11. In the statewide media poll, Westside is No. 7 in AAAA and BHP is No. 6 in AAA.
In the final minute, Henderson seemed to stretch across the goal line for his fourth touchdown but was ruled short. Justin Lathan took it from there and thanked his teammate for the chance. Shaheem Robbs scored a pair of touchdowns as well. Just before halftime, the 5-foot-9 Robbs was hidden somewhere inside a group of blockers and went with the flow for a 5-yard score.
864Huddle's Dandy Dozen series: No. 12 Knai Cook | No. 11 Jayden Wilson-Abrams | No. 10 Avery McFadden | No. 9 Joshua Williams | No. 8 Steven O'Dell | No. 7 Jimmar Boston | No. 6 Watson Young | No. 5 Julius Tate | No. 4 Dashun Reeder | No. 3 Marcus Downs | No. 2 Blake Franks | No. 1 Mazeo Bennett
“We’ve got back four of the five starters off the offensive front,” Belton-Honea Path coach Russell Blackston said. “Two of our three tight ends are back. All three of our running backs are back. Henderson is the front horse without a doubt. But those other guys keep us going. That’s who we are. We’re a three-running back team.”
Belton-Honea Path ran for 3,500 yards last season. The Bears tried to mix it up a little more early, but Zeke Marshall of Westside had two interceptions in the first quarter. After that, it was run and run and run some more.
Henderson first went to the sidelines, letting out yell as he was lifted to his feet, with a 10-point lead and 10 minutes left. Westside quickly cut it to 31-28. Without the lead runner, the Bears had a short possession.
He tapped his chest and said he was ready to return, but that lasted one play. He had to be helped off again. But when the Bears needed a boost, he limped back in and scored a 4-yard touchdown for a 37-28 lead.
Next week, Westside hosts archrival T.L. Hanna and Belton-Honea Path is at Laurens.