By Collin Brooks

Correspondent

Collin.Brooks@elizabethton.com

Hampton Bulldog senior football players took the field for a regular season contest at J.C. Campbell Stadium on Friday night, and they delivered with what they have been become known for – winning and efficiency.

Hampton (8-0,5-0) scored a 42-6 win over South Greene (3-5, 3-2), to secure one of the top two spots in the Region 1/2 AA playoffs which begin in three weeks.

“They just go out there and do their job; they don’t get too high or too low,” Hampton head coach Mike Lunsford said of his team. “This is five tough weeks that we have had to play.”

But like the previous four years, the past five weeks have helped the Bulldogs’ bond grow stronger. That link is tied together by the senior class, led by Coby Jones and Jerry Lunsford.

Jones rushed for 174 yards on eight carries and accounted for two rushing touchdowns. While Lunsford rushed nine times for 116 yards and two touchdowns, he also hauled in a 25-yard touchdown pass from Jones.

“It was definitely great to come out with a win on our last scheduled home game,” Lunsford said. “I am just so proud of our guys. We played really good and super hard.”

Lunsford started the night out with the first two touchdowns of the contest, scoring from one yard and five yards out to make the score 14-0 with just over two minutes left in the first quarter.

It was Jones who then made a 50-yard run to make the score 21-0 to start the second quarter. It was a special night for Jones, who also tossed for 93 yards and two touchdowns on 7 of 10 passing with one interception.

“As seniors, we have worked so hard all our lives; this is what we prepared for, this football season,” Jones said. “It means a lot to come out here and play like we did and take a W on the last home game that is promised.”

The Bulldogs went for an onside-kick after their third score of the night, which Jared Wiltshire was able to recover at the South Greene 35-yard line. Just a couple of plays later, Jones was able to find fellow Wiltshire for a 26-yard touchdown with just over eight minutes left before halftime to make the score 28-0.

On their next possession, it was another senior tandem that hooked up when Jones found Lunsford for a 25-yard score to give the Bulldogs a 35-0 lead, which they took into the locker room at the half.

The halftime didn’t calm the Bulldogs as they forced a three-and-out by the Rebels, followed by a 44-yard run by Jones to give them their final score of the night and give them the 42-0 lead.

Many of those long runs were credited to the offensive line and the wide receivers, according to Hampton coach Mike Lunsford.

“Our receivers did a real good job blocking,” Lunsford said. “JJ Chambers ain’t as big as nothing, but he makes blocks, and the other kids blocked well too.”

The lone South Greene score came with 3:11left in the final quarter when Justin Casteel found Tyler Waddell for a 13-yard score, but the failed two-point conversion made the score 42-6. That was only the second time the Bulldogs allowed the Rebels deep into their territory. The first time, South Greene turned the ball over on downs.

The Bulldogs held the Rebels to just 13 yards on the ground on 19 carries. Casteel tossed for 94 yards on 8 of 20 passing.

Hampton will be on the road for the next two weeks as they travel to North Greene and Cumberland Gap.