Hampton checked the first group of Highlanders off their list in style.
The Bulldogs used a pair of 200-plus yardage performances to roll past region foe Gatlinburg-Pittman 64-28 on Friday night at JC Campbell Stadium.
Hampton travels to Cloudland for the anticipated match-up with the Highlanders next Friday.
However, the Bulldogs made sure to take care of business against GP.
On the opening possession of the game, Hunter Davenport open the scoring with a 55-yard touchdown run, and Adam McClain helped extend the lead to 14-0 with a one-yard score in the final minute of the first quarter.
The Highlanders, however, answered with a 95-yard kickoff return from Matt Sides as HHS maintained a 14-6 lead at the end of the first.
McClain responded to open the second as he broke free for a 57-yard score. After a GP touchdown, McClain extended the lead to 28-12 with a four-yard touchdown run – which was the score at the half.
The Bulldogs defense set the tone in the third quarter.
Chris Holtsclaw nabbed the first of two interceptions to set up a 41-yard touchdown run by McClain. After Warner scored for GP, Hampton saw Davenport go 62 yards for the score as HHS held a 24-20 lead midway through the third quarter.
From there, it was all Hampton as the Highlanders had no answer to the Bulldog rushing attack.
McClain finished the game with 249 yards on 26 carries with five touchdowns. Davenport rushed for 207 yards on 17 carries with four touchdowns.
Jason Russell and Dakota Sanchez added 31 and 29 yards, respectively. Russell was also 4-of-5 passing for 35 yards.
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