Bulldogs look to continue smashing spree versus Rangers
Published 11:41 pm Thursday, October 24, 2019
- File Photo/Brandon Hyde Bulldog running back Matt Hughes prepares to throw a stiff arm on a closing South Greene defender. Hughes and his teammates look to keep rolling tonight when they host cross-county rival Unaka.
BY AUSTIN ALEXANDER
STAR CORRESPONDENT
It’s one thing to win games, but it’s another when you consistently do so by margins of 30 or more – it starts to really gain some attention.
That’s the case for the Hampton Bulldogs who have outscored opponents by an astonishing 211-35 since their last loss at Happy Valley in early September.
This Friday, Hampton will look to keep the streak going against Unaka.
Following a Sullivan North upset of Happy Valley, the Bulldogs are set up in great position to win their conference and maybe even take it further into the playoffs.
In what was their biggest game of the season thus far, the Bulldogs took the previously undefeated South Greene Rebels to the cleaners and proved that they’re the team to beat in the region.
The win Friday was big for many reasons but one of the biggest is that it essentially locks in at least one home playoff game for the Bulldogs.
South Greene came in as the favorites on Friday, but Hampton coach Michael Lunsford credited his team’s mental fortitude. He said, “The kids played with really good discipline and were really focused.”
This week’s opponent is the Unaka Rangers who have given a 100 percent effort in every game they’ve played but the Rangers have just struggled with inexperience and a lack of depth.
The Rangers still have a fair deal of talent and Hampton knows this.
“We just expect them to prepare for a faceless opponent and worry about getting themselves better,” coach Lunsford said about how his team can’t take this week’s matchup lightly. “Unaka is well-coached and has some talented athletes.”
While Unaka hasn’t played their best football season this season, all it takes is one game to catch someone slipping so the Bulldogs will look to keep their momentum rolling.
You can expect much of the same from Hampton as their ground assault will likely be the dominant factor in Friday’s matchup. The Bulldogs will look to power through into the playoffs.
Kickoff is 7:30 Friday night at Hampton’s JC Campbell Stadium.
