A first half that saw Hampton score 46 points and amass 447 yards of total offense gave Avery County little hope of a comeback as the Bulldogs opened the 2016 season with a 46-12 demolition of the Vikings on Friday night at J.C. Campbell Stadium.

Senior tailback Adam McClain ran for 143 of the ‘Dogs 347 yards rushing and scored three touchdowns in the first half as Hampton took a 46-6 lead into the halftime break.

“We have some stuff to clean up,” said Bulldogs head coach Michael Lunsford. “If you are perfect week one, there’s no sense in playing anymore. I thought we played hard throughout and all in all I was proud of the effort. Russell playing well helps us with our confidence and it shows we can do some stuff. If we can throw the ball, we have good runners good fullbacks and if we can throw it it will build our confidence.”

After forcing a three and out first possession for Avery, Hunter Davenport capped a 10-play, 66 yard drive with an 18 yard touchdown run. McClain added the deuce for an 8-0 ‘Dogs lead. On Avery’s second possession senior linebacker Dakota Sanchez sacked Vikings quarterback Van McCollom and forced a second punt.

McClain took the punt 85 yards for a touchdown that was called back on penalty. Set back to their five yard line Hampton went on another 10-play drive capped by a six yard run from McClain, who also added the two point conversion.

The Vikings (0-1) moved the ball a bit on their next possession but were still forced to punt after collecting one first down. McClain then bolted off the left side of his offensive line and raced 85 yards to paydirt and a 24-0 Bulldogs lead.

“It was kind of a busted play,” McClain said. “We fumbled but I just followed my assignment and the play broke open. I know we lost Coby Jones this year, but I think Russell did a good job in his first game and he stepped into the job.”

Once again it seemed as if Avery could move the ball but McCollom was intercepted by Chris Holtsclaw at the Hampton 26 yard line. Hampton (1-0) moved 74 yards on five plays with quarterback Jason Russell rushing for 47 yards and McClain capped the drive with a one yard plunge.

Russell completed three-of-four passing for 100 yards and one interception in the first half. That interception was returned 78 yards for a touchdown by Steven Sanchez to get the Vikings on the board, now trailing 30-6.

“We still need to work on the passing game,” Russell said. “I’m glad I got to show up a little bit, but we need some work. After that pick-six I knew I had to come back and finish the game and not get my head down.”

Davenport added a 62 yard scoring run at the 2:11mark of the half and Sanchez scored on a seven yard scamper with McClain adding the deuce on both runs. For Avery McCollom completed four-of-12 passes for 24 yards and one interception in the first half.

He finished with five completions in 14 attempts for 31 yards while Sanchez rushed for 41 yards on 10 tries. McClain finished with 172 yards on 13 carries while Davenport ran for 114 yards on eight carries.

Hampton 46-12

Avery Co. 0 6 0 6 – 12

Hampton 16 30 0 0 – 46

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

H – Davenport 18 run (McClain run) 6:47

H – McClain 6 run (McClain run) 1:34

Second Quarter

H – McClain 85 run (Russell run) 10:02

H – McClain 1 run (run failed) 5:55

A – Sanchez 78 int. return (run failed) 3:09

H – Davenport 62 run (McClain run) 2:11

H – D. Sanchez 7 run (McClain run )1:01