Cloudland held the upper hand in a county clash Thursday night.
The ‘Landers snapped an eight-game losing streak to Hampton with a 26-16 victory over the Bulldogs at J.C. Campbell Stadium. With the win, Cloudland secured the No. 3 seed from Region 1-A, while the Bulldogs will enter the playoffs as the No. 4 seed.
Cloudland freshman Jordan Hodges was 6-of-8 passing for 117 yards and two touchdowns, while Gavyn Shell had 14 carries for 71 yards and two scores.
Kaden Jones led Hampton with 22 carries for 156 yards and a score. The Bulldogs were without starting quarterback Brycen Blevins due to injury.
Hampton opened the scoring on the opening drive of the game as Eli Tester capped the drive with a four-yard touchdown. Kaden Jones added the two-point conversion as HHS took an 8-0 lead.
Cloudland answered quickly as Hodges found Landon Barnette for a 45-yard touchdown pass. The Bulldogs stopped CHS on the two-point conversion.
After the ‘Lander defense stopped Hampton on fourth down, Cloudland went seven plays and scored on a two-yard touchdown from Shell to take a 12-8 lead into the second quarter.
In the second quarter, Cloudland pushed the lead to 20-8 as Grayson Cole caught a 22-yard pass from Hodges for a touchdown. Cole added the two-point conversion.
Hampton looked to cut into the lead late in the half as Jones led the Hampton offense, but Hodges nabbed an interception in the closing seconds as Cloudland held a 20-8 lead at the half.
The ‘Landers continued to have the momentum to open the third quarter as the ‘Landers took six minutes off the clock on a lengthy drive that ended with a seven-yard touchdown from Shell.
Both teams traded possessions as the defenses limited opportunities.
Hampton saw Jones score on a six-yard run in the closing seconds, and Tester added the two-point conversion. Cloudland, however, recovered the onside kick to set off the celebration.
Cole had 77 yards on 10 carries for Cloudland, and Barnette added 13 carries for 45 yards.
For more photos – including Hampton Senior Day festivities – click here.
Photos and story by Matt Laws / Carter County Sports
