It was a busy night, and Hampton celebrated in style.
The Bulldogs outlasted a pesky Unaka squad for a 51-14 victory on Homecoming and Senior Night at JC Campbell Stadium.
The game was called with 7:44 left due to lightning and muddy field conditions after a storm blew in at the end of the third quarter.
The Bulldogs improve to 6-1 on the year, while Unaka moves to 6-3.
Hampton took control early.
The Bulldogs opened the scoring with an 18-yard run from Conor Jones. After a Unaka drive came to an abrupt end at midfield with a fumble, Hampton marched down the field and scored on a 10-yard run by Levi Lunsford.
The Bulldogs pushed the lead to 21-0 after the first quarter of play when Ashton Hardin scored on a three-yard run.
Hampton struck again in the opening minute of the second quarter as Dominique Burleson hit Chance Point for a 59-yard halfback pass.
The Rangers weren’t going away without a battle.
Jamol Blamo quickly answered as he raced 65 yards for the touchdown. The two-point conversion was successful as Landon Ramsey hit Blamo for the score.
After the Ranger defense stopped a Hampton fourth-down attempt, Unaka went on a methodical drive that ended when Blamo scored on a three-yard run.
Hampton looked to answer and moved down the field but was unable to score before time ran out as the Bulldogs held a 28-14 lead at the half.
In the third quarter, Unaka took the opening kick and moved to midfield, but the Bulldog defense rose to the occasion to force a punt.
The Hampton offense went to work as rain started to fall. With a steady dose of the ground game, the Bulldogs quickly moved down the field with Caleb Royston scoring on a 14-yard run.
Royston’s touchdown gave Hampton a 35-14 lead after three quarters.
The opening minutes of the fourth quarter were played in heavy rain. After an Unaka punt, the Bulldogs pushed the lead out with a four-yard touchdown from Lunsford.
The Rangers were unable to get anything going on their next drive, and Dylan Trivett broke free to block the punt.
On the next play, Jones scored on a 10-yard run and Morgan Lyons added his third two-point conversion of the night.
Shortly after, the teams were sent to the locker room due to lightning and the game was called a short time later.
Lunsford led Hampton with 110 yards on 11 yards, while Jones added seven carries for 81 yards. Point had four catches for 99 yards. Lyons added 35 rushing yards.
For the Rangers, Blamo finished with 124 yards on 17 carries. L. Ramsey was 7-of-13 passing for 77 yards, while D. Ramsey had six catches for 73 yards.
Hampton is set to travel to Daniel Boone next Friday night to close out the regular season. Unaka’s game with Jenkins (Ky.) has been canceled.
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