Hampton falls late as Rebels quell ‘Dog upset bid
Published 10:57 am Friday, November 1, 2024
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Hampton quarterback Dom Burleson breaks to the outside as Peyton Townsend picks up a key block.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Bulldogs quarterback Dom Burleson takes a well-deserved water break during a timeout.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent The Hampton cheerleaders work hard to fire up their Bulldogs during a regional contest at South Greene.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent The Hampton band came decked out for Halloween as they supported their team on Halloween night.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Dom Burleson picks his way through a running lane opened by his offensive line.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Bulldog offensive linemen Harley Mann (74) and Jamie Turbyfill (64) double-team Rebel defensive lineman Heath Norton in Thursday night’s action.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent The Hampton defense delivers a crushing blow to a South Greene runner during a Region 1-2A contest at South Greene High School.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Bulldogs running back Isaiah Belcher breaks free from South Greene’s Nash Rader for a first-down run.
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Star Correspondent
GREENEVILLE – The Hampton Bulldogs entered Thursday night’s Halloween game at South Greene with hopes of spoiling the Rebels’ unblemished Region 1-2A record.
In a contest that felt like a playoff game, the Bulldogs pushed the Rebels to the limit, but a late touchdown with 2:20 left to play and a subsequent scoop-and-score left Hampton on the short end of a 35-20 defeat.
With several Hampton players sidelined due to injuries, senior Dominique Burleson stepped in as starting quarterback after playing most of the season as a running back. Burleson nearly led his team to an improbable road upset, accounting for over 200 yards of offense and two touchdowns.
However, South Greene’s quarterback Jacob Susong and running back Nash Rader proved too much for the Bulldogs to overcome.
Hampton opened the game with a long drive, capped by a 10-yard touchdown run by Isaiah Belcher with 6:45 left in the first quarter. Burleson added the two-point conversion, giving Hampton an 8-0 lead.
The Rebels responded on the ensuing kickoff when Rader returned it 99 yards for a touchdown. Brant Wilhoit’s extra point cut the lead to 8-7 with four minutes left in the first quarter.
Just before halftime, Rader scored again on a 28-yard run with 48 seconds remaining. Wilhoit’s kick put South Greene up 14-8 at the break.
After a strong defensive stand to open the third quarter, Hampton tied the game at 14 on Burleson’s 35-yard touchdown run on a fourth-and-six play. The conversion attempt failed.
The game remained tied 14-14 heading into the fourth quarter, leaving the outcome up for grabs.
Burleson struck again in the final quarter, breaking free for a 45-yard touchdown run that put Hampton up 20-14 with 6:45 left. The conversion failed again.
A short kickoff gave the Rebels good field position at their own 48-yard line. One play later, Susong connected with Jeffery Dotson on a 52-yard touchdown pass, and Wilhoit’s kick gave South Greene a 21-20 lead.
With time still on the clock, both teams battled to secure the win. The Rebels extended their lead when Susong threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Trey Gentry with 2:20 remaining. Wilhoit’s kick made it 28-20.
On the ensuing kickoff, Hampton’s Kaden Jones fumbled, and Simon Burns recovered and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown, sealing the win for South Greene. Wilhoit’s kick provided the final 35-20 margin.
Hampton finishes as the No. 4 seed in Region 1-2A and will travel to face top-seeded York Institute from Region 2-2A in the first round of the playoffs. South Greene, with the win, will host Tellico Plains, the No. 4 seed from Region 2-2A.
