Bulldogs shut down Warriors in region 1-2A clash

Published 8:00 am Monday, September 11, 2023

By Allen LaMountain

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The Hampton Bulldogs came into Friday night’s region 1-2A clash with Happy Valley with two losses in three games. The Bulldogs defense held the Warriors to 87 yards of total offense in a 36-0 shutout at J.C. Campbell Stadium to get the 2023 season back on track.
First Quarter saw HV defense get big stop
Hampton (2-2 overall, 1-0 conference) was stymied on its first two drives on Friday night before senior quarterback Dylan Trivett connected with Maddux Wilson on a 15-yard scoring strike with 20 seconds left in the first quarter. HV had stopped the Bulldogs on downs on their first drive with Joseph Sowards and J.C. Andes making plays for the Warriors on defense.
Second Quarter – Trivett takes over for ‘Dogs
In the second quarter, senior quarterback Dylan Trivett capped off a pair of drives with touchdown runs as the ‘Dogs opened a 20-0 halftime lead. Following a Happy Valley punt, the ‘Dogs took possession at the 38-yard line and went 62 yards on nine plays with Trivett scoring on a 14-yard run. The two-point try was no good and Hampton took a 14-0 lead.
“This was a very crucial win,” Trivett said. “Conference game and after losing those two, we needed to get our confidence back up and continue to work hard every day. I love my O-line; they are what makes everything happen. Without them, we don’t win and we can’t do any of the things we want to do. Big credit to the O-line. My receivers played great and they are very trustworthy.”
After forcing another Warriors punt, Trivett scored on a four-yard run to cap off a 72-yard drive and give the ‘Dogs a 20-0 halftime lead.
Warriors offensive woes continue in third quarter
Happy Valley opened the second half getting stuck deep in their own territory as they were penalized back to their own 21-yard line. After a short run and a pair of incomplete passes, the Warriors were forced to punt once again. This time, however, the ball was snapped over the head of punter Tyler Berry and Hampton scored a safety for a 22-0 advantage.
HV kicked off to Hampton who took over at the Warriors 35-yard line and Geno Carrico scored on a three-yard run but the conversion run failed so the ‘Dogs now took a 28-0 lead.
HV once again shot itself in the foot as a pair of penalties negated a huge run back by Ron Paul Parker, which would have given the Warriors great field position. Instead, HV (0-3 overall, 0-1 conference) saw quarterback Aiden Paul suffer an interception by Elijah McKinney on first down to kill the drive and HV momentum.
HV’s defense stopped Hampton on downs as Sowards made a big tackle on a fourth and 20 play, stopping Wilson seven yards short of the first down on a pass play, but Paul once again was intercepted this one by Trivett.
Fourth Quarter sees running clock for last 5:40
Hampton opened the fourth quarter from its own eight-yard line and went on a 92-yard drive capped off with a seven-yard scoring run from J.J. McElyea and with 5:40 seconds showing on the clock. From there, it was a continuously running clock and HV had nothing left and was turned over on downs with under a minute remaining.
“I was very proud of the defensive effort,” Bulldogs head coach Michael Lunsford said. “We knew Happy Valley had a lot of weapons and we were very concerned with their passing attack. The kids we have playing now are very, very tough kids. They are willing to work. I was awfully proud of the way Dylan threw the ball. He took a couple of tough licks but stood in there. J.J. McElyea played one of his best games and Dom Burleson is a real athletic kid and he blocked his butt off tonight.”
Great stats for the ‘Dogs on both sides of the ball
Burleson rushed for 70 yards on 15 carries, while Trivett had 65 rush yards and Carrico was good for 59 rush yards. Trivett completed 10-of-18 passes for 135 yards and the defense was stellar, giving up just 87 yards (65 rush yards and 22 passing yards).
Hampton 36-0
Happy Valley 0 0 0 0 – 0
Hampton 8 12 8 8 – 36
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
H – Wilson 15 pass from Trivett (Trivett run) :20
Second Quarter
Trivett 14 run (run failed) 6:15
Trivett 4 run (pass failed) 2:18
Third Quarter
H – Safety, punter tackled in end zone 10:24
H – Carrico 2 run (run failed) 8:00
Fourth Quarter
H – McElyea 7 run (Burleson run) 5:40

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