No one may be more excited for the return of the action than Brody Smith.

The 6-foot-3, 290-pound offensive guard and tackle of the Belton Honea-Path Bears will be playing for major stakes under the "Friday Night Lights of the Upstate" in 2024.

"I'm ecstatic to start the new season because I feel like there is lots of hype around our program. I'm itching to show off how great we are this year. I believe this year will be great if we keep our heads down and work hard. At the end of the day, we just can't lose sight of the goal. That's what's important. And as long as we keep the same mindset, I know we will be fine," Smith said.

He was a big piece of the puzzle for a Bears' team that nearly won the state championship in 2023. Smith and his offensive line helped Marquise Henderson, a 4-star ranked as the No. 1 overall athlete in the Palmetto State, to breaking BHP's single season touchdown record last season, bolstering his Power Four recruitment along the way.

But Henderson, the running back who did everything possible to carry his team to the finish line, all while showing off his dangerous ability as an athlete along the way, fumbled as the seconds ticked off the clock inside the five-yard line in the state semifinal at Daniel, and the Bears went down in a heartbreaker.

That instant classic tilt in Upper State Final will set the tone for BHP in 2024 as they seek to return the hardware to the community for the first time in twenty years.

Their last championship was in 2004.

Considering what the Bears bring back this season, the nature of last season's loss against Daniel, and the South Carolina High School Leauge's latest realignment shuffle in Jan., the pressure will be on to for BHP to win the title in 2024. The Lions and Camden, the other dominant power in the division, have moved on to the 4A. But there will still be Dillon.

Smith, Henderson, and other notable names, like Tajeh Watson, an exciting returning sophomore at defensive back who recorded seven interceptions, 14 pass break-up's, and 47 tackles behind an a physical speedy brand of ball in Coach Shomad Lomax's secondary, will be back. Watson has picked up interest from New Hampshire and was invited to a camp by Liberty.

And that's why this season will be a big one. A very big one. When toe meets leather against Broome on Aug. 23, it will mark the 20-year anniversary of the Bears' most recent cinderella run under head coach Wayne Green. Win or lose it all, it will be a defining moment in the program's history.

And not just for BHP, but Smith. That's because major players will be making their commitments known as the big offensive line still tries to solidify his collegiate plans. But in the meantime, he is continuing to grind to improve his stock.

Players committing include Smith’s offensive lineman friends from the senior class, like 6-foot-6, 295-pounder Hunter Taylor of Greenville High School, who will go to Furman. Then, there's 6-foot-2, 315-pounder Douglas Hill of Hillcrest, who will suit up for North Greenville. And don't forget Tre Aiken of Clinton, the 6-foot-4, 285-pounder who has heard of offers from big names like Appalachian State, Wake Forest, and Virginia Tech.

Those are the players that Smith trains with at Train Built in Greenville, where he has been grinding in the offseason under the leadership of area coach Amos Lamb. The former North Carolina A&T and North Greenville star had a seven-year stint in the profession of football, which included a stop with the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian Football Leauge.

But that dosen’t mean his stock isn’t still rising. Because it is.

Smith played a physical, nasty brand of football in 2023, helping pave the way for Henderson's dominant, dynamo, record-breaking performance last fall.

Then, he grappled with the Bears' traditionally dominant wrestling team on the mats this winter and grinded on the camp trail this offseason. He stayed local, checking in with Wofford, Newberry, North Greenville, and South Carolina in June.

A standout performance with the Wolves helped Smith earn an offer from the strong Divison 2 program on June 18, just five days after the camp,. He also tendered an offer from Division III Norwich College on June 24 and is hearing of interest from Furman and Wofford.

With a potential state championship on the horizon for the Bears and possible National Signing Day looming for Smith in just short months, major things could be in store for he and his teammates in the future.

But Smith and his Bears will have to earn it.

That's something the textbook, fundamentally-sound blocker who puts his hand in the dirt, drives his feet, and gets low to pave his blocking lanes, and Belton Honea-Path, the physical, ground-and-pound rural firebrand from the Palmetto State, are ready to do.