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BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR SPORTS EDITOR
ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com
It’s another big county showdown for the Hampton Bulldogs who traveled to Roan Mountain last Friday night to handily deal the Highlanders their first loss of the season by a 33-0 margin.

This week’s game carries a little bit more weight as Hampton visits Warrior Hill where Coach Jason Jarrett’s squad has found no footing on the young season as they have struggled out of the gate to an 0-3 start but a win would help greatly in getting the Warriors back in the running for a good seeding in Region 1, 2-A play.

As many know, the most dangerous animals there are is the ones who have been injured and will fight to the death to overcome their foe.

With that in mind, Hampton head coach Michael Lunsford will be keeping his team on danger alert as the Bulldogs are off to a 4-0 start and a #3 ranking in the Tennessee State AP Prep Poll.

Lunsford said that this type of game is a perfect time for a team like Happy Valley to lay a snare to trip the ‘Dogs up.

“You don’t want to fall into a trap especially having a bye week and South Greene afterward,” said Lunsford. “We know Happy Valley is a lot better team than what their record shows.

“We have watched them on film. They hung tough for a half against South Greene. They got behind the eight-ball before the season even started when they got shut down and had to go through some things. We know we are playing a good football team.”

One thing that Lunsford is most proud about in his 2021 team is their hunger to not just accept where they currently stand but come in each and every day looking to find ways to improve in all facets of the game.

“The eagerness to improve,” Lunsford said when asked about what stands out about his squad this season. “I feel like every week we have had good outcomes and won games but every week the kid have come in wanting to find ways to get better.

“They have not been satisfied with where they are at and really want to improve.”

With a big crowd expected for the game, the Warriors would love nothing better than to pull off the victory and spoil the ‘Dogs perfect season to date.

A win surely would help to stem the tide for the Warriors who are searching for an answer offensively to put some points on the board this season.

As South Greene draws nearer and nearer for the ‘Dogs, Lunsford will be trying to keep his team grounded and focused when they take the field on Warrior Hill.

“We have to focus on ourselves and improving each game and each day in practice and not being satisfied with where you are at knowing that you can’t play any game other than the one that is right here at hand,” Lunsford said.

The kickoff on Friday night will be 7:30 pm.