The first round goes to Hampton.
The Bulldogs pulled away from a pesky Cloudland squad to take a 34-12 victory at Orr Field on Friday night – in the first of two meetings between the county rivals this season.
Hampton improves to 3-0 on the season with the win, while Cloudland moves to 1-2 on the season.
Neither team had a real advantage in the early going.
After the Bulldogs forced a quick three-and-out to open the game, Conor Jones put Hampton on the board first as he scored on a 38-yard run. Michael Harrison added the extra point.
Cloudland didn’t waste any time answering as Caleb Sluder broke through the line and scored on a 67-yard run two plays later. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful as Hampton maintained a 7-6 lead.
The Bulldogs continued the scoring trend on the ensuing possession. With a six-play drive, the Bulldogs extended the lead to 14-6 after a quarter of play after Aidan Vines scored on a five-yard run.
Cloudland refused to go quietly as the ‘Landers struck again early in the second. After Caleb Sluder recovered a fumble and returned it inside the Hampton 20, Seth Birchfield dived into the endzone from a yard out to pull CHS back within two points.
In the final minute of the half, Jonathan Greenwell scored on a 10-yard run as Hampton took a 21-12 lead into the locker room at the half.
The defenses stole the show in the second half.
Cloudland’s Gage McKinney jumped in front of a Hampton pass for an interception on the opening drive of the half. After the Bulldog defense forced a punt, the HHS offense went to work and scored on a six-play drive that ended with a seven-yard touchdown from Vines as Hampton held a 27-12 lead after three complete quarters.
The fourth quarter saw Cloudland unable to mount a rally despite a hard-fought victory. Hampton’s Jones scored on an 18-yard run midway through the quarter to cap all scoring.
Jones finished the game with 159 yards on 18 carries with two touchdowns. Vines also eclipsed the century mark as he tallied 115 yards on 15 carries with two scores.
Morgan Lyons and Levi Lunsford had 44 and 18 yards, respectively. Harrison was 4-for-4 on extra points.
Cloudland saw Caleb Sluder lead the way as he had four rushes for 84 yards. Seth Birchfield had 17 carries for the ‘Landers.
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Cloudland Senior Night Photo Gallery below.
