Momentum is mounting at the right time for the Dog Pound.
Hampton scored early and often, capping off Senior Night with a 54-14 rout over regional rival Cosby Friday at J.C. Campbell Stadium.
The Bulldogs (4-6) solidified their spot in the Class 2A playoffs with a third seed and will travel to Rockwood next week for the first round of the postseason. Rockwood wrapped up the two seed in Region 2 with a 41-13 win over Cumberland Gap.
“We just have to grind it out, like we have been,” Hampton head coach Michael Lunsford said about next week’s playoff game. “We’ve got to improve, be ready to execute and be mentally and physically sharp.”
Hunter Davenport amassed over 200 total yards and helped the ‘Dogs strike early, concluding a 65-yard drive with a 7-yard plunge to the end zone and was followed up by an Alex Hardin to Gavin Hardin 2-point conversion. Davenport handled the duties later in the quarter, going in from 39 yards out for a score. Jason Russell’s 2-point rush gave Hampton a 16-0 lead heading into the second quarter.
Russell, who tossed for over 100 yards, helped account for the ‘Dogs next three touchdowns in the second quarter, rushing for one and throwing two touchdowns to Skyler Cole (44 yards) and Davenport (20 yards). Cosby wouldn’t be blanked heading into halftime with Hunter Workman scrambling from the pocket and connecting with Michael Darby on a touchdown reception, moving the score 40-7.
But Davenport made quick work with the ball early in the second half, scoring from 43 yards out. Hampton concluded the assault on the ground with a Caleb Oaks rushing score. Cosby added one more score in the second half with Workman hitting Ty Way on a passing touchdown.
It was a fitting way for the senior class to conclude the regular season, according to Lunsford. Working with six seniors, the head coach commended the effort of the class and the team as they capped off the season with a three-game win streak.
“This bunch has had a lot of adversity and been able to overcome it,” Lunsford said. “It says a lot about their character to still be here and working as hard as they had. They’ve been grinding it out and I couldn’t be prouder of them.”
For additional stats, in-depth coverage, photos and comments from Friday’s regular season finale, be sure to pick up the Tuesday edition of Gridiron Weekly.