Bulldogs, ‘Landers to square off in Carter County rivalry game
Published 1:34 pm Tuesday, September 8, 2020
1 of 4
File Photo/Ivan Sanders The Highlanders will have to count on a host of running backs against a stingy Hampton defense.
File Photo/Ivan Sanders Hampton junior quarterback Conor Jones had three rushing touchdowns last week to propel the Bulldogs past Happy Valley, 28-0.
File Photo/Ivan Sanders Cloudland defensive lineman Eli Presswood will have his hands full on Friday night against a potent Hampton offense.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Hampton punter Michael Harrison has been doing a great job on point-afters, kickoffs, and punts for Hampton. It may come down to an extra point or field goal in Friday's game against Cloudland in Roan Mountain.
|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
BY NIC MILLER
STAR CORRESPONDENT
Last week was a great outing for football in Carter County as three of the four County squads were able to claim a victory.
Two of these teams, the Hampton Bulldogs and the Cloudland Highlanders, will square off in their own contest Friday night at Orr Field in Roan Mountain.
The Highlanders come into this game with energy after they traveled to Cosby Friday night and were able to produce a big road win against the Eagles, 36-12.
This comes only one week after their season opener in which they were defeated by the Warriors of Happy Valley by a score of 34-18.
The ‘Landers will also be looking for revenge against their county rivals, as they were shutout by the Bulldogs in 2019 at J.C Campbell Stadium in Hampton
It’s safe to say that the ‘Landers will be looking to protect their home field and keep their winning ways alive on Senior Night against a skilled Hampton Bulldogs team Friday night.
The Bulldogs will also be looking to keep their momentum alive as they have won two straight, defeating both the Unicoi County Blue Devils and more recently, emerging victorious over the Happy Valley Warriors at home.
Head coach of the Bulldogs, Michael Lunsford, said that there are things to take away from last week’s win.
“One thing that we’re gonna have to do is to improve our ball security. Turnovers are never good in a game, and we need to reduce those all that we can in the coming week.”
“We also have a ton of guys on the team that are quick, so we need to get those speed guys involved in the game as much as we can.”
Inter-county games in Carter County are so special to those in the area because of the sense of community found in our area.
When asked about the impact on this week’s game for the players, coaches, and even fans, Lunsford said, “Cloudland week is always a huge week for our communities.
“Our Schools are so close to each other and almost everyone on that field knows the guy playing across from him. That’s what makes this game such a special occasion.”
Kickoff will take place at 7:30 p.m on Friday night at Orr Field in Roan Mountain.
