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By C.Y. Peters

Senior Night is usually a momentous occasion celebrated on home turf, but for the Hampton Bulldogs, it came with an unusual twist. Due to the loss of their football facility for the year, the Bulldogs held their Senior Night at Goddard Field, the home of their rivals, the Unaka Rangers. Despite the change in venue, the Bulldogs showcased their resilience and teamwork, winning in dominant fashion with a 58-18 victory. Coach Michael Lunsford expressed pride in his team, stating, “I’m proud of their effort. Some of these players have to travel an hour to practice, but they have stayed together and improved.”

Early Momentum: Burleson Sets the Tone

The game started with intensity as Dominique Burleson immediately made his presence felt, putting Hampton on the board with a touchdown at the 9:39 mark in the first quarter. Burleson struck again with just under three minutes left in the quarter, extending the Bulldogs’ lead. Isaiah Belcher added the two-point conversion, and Hampton surged ahead 14-0. Unaka, however, showed some fight. The Rangers marched down the field and found themselves with a first-and-goal at Hampton’s 10-yard line. However, back-to-back penalties stalled their momentum, pushing the ball back to the 30-yard line.

Unaka’s Response: Micah Gray Sparks the Rangers

In the second quarter, Unaka clawed their way back into the game thanks to a spark from Micah Gray. The Rangers, unfazed by the penalties, found the end zone with Gray’s effort, bringing the score to 14-6. Just as it seemed like Unaka might build momentum, Hampton’s special teams came through. Burleson, continuing his stellar performance, returned the kickoff 48 yards, setting up Peyton Townsend’s first touchdown of the night with a 44-yard run. The Bulldogs extended their lead to 22-8 after Jayden Kuhn bulldozed through multiple defenders for the PAT.

Aerial Battle: McKinney and Fuller Keep Unaka in the Game

Unaka wasn’t ready to fold. Quarterback Conner McKinney launched a bomb to Ashton Fuller for a 52-yard touchdown, trimming Hampton’s lead to 22-12. However, Hampton’s offensive machine was relentless. Maddux Wilson scored a quick response touchdown, followed by Townsend’s second and third touchdowns of the night. Burleson added another score, pushing the game further out of reach. By the end of the second quarter, Hampton had piled on 36 points, giving them a commanding 50-12 halftime lead.

Dominant Defense: Hampton Shuts Down Unaka

As the game moved into the second half, the clock ran continuously due to the large point differential, but Hampton’s defense continued to shine. The Bulldogs’ defensive line wreaked havoc, throwing Unaka for losses on several plays and disrupting the Rangers’ rhythm. J.J. Cable added a touchdown for Hampton early in the fourth quarter, with Kuhn powering across the goal line for another PAT, making it 58-12. Unaka managed one final highlight as McKinney launched another deep pass, connecting with Fuller for a 54-yard touchdown on the game’s final play. Despite this, the Bulldogs’ defense had already made their mark, holding the Rangers in check for much of the night.

Looking Ahead: Postseason Awaits Both Teams

As the final whistle blew with a 58-18 score in Hampton’s favor, both teams began looking ahead to their next challenges. Unaka, despite the loss, showed flashes of brilliance and will take on Happy Valley this Friday at ETSU’s field. Hampton, fresh off their dominant performance, will face Eagleton in the game immediately following Unaka’s. Both teams hope to capitalize on their experiences and improve with only a few games left in the season.

For Hampton, this victory was more than just a win; it was a testament to the team’s perseverance and unity. Despite the logistical challenges of traveling long distances for practices and losing their home field, the Bulldogs remained focused and delivered a performance their seniors will never forget.

Score by Quarters
Hampton: 14 36 0 8 — 58
Unaka: 0 12 0 6 — 18