In a something had to give game, Hampton had the answer.
The Bulldogs claimed a match-up of state-ranked teams with a 33-0 victory over county rival Cloudland on Friday night at Orr Field in nonconference action.
With the win, Hampton improved to 3-0 on the year, while Cloudland fell to 3-1 on the season.
The Bulldogs took the opening drive and methodically marched down the field. Levi Lunsford struck on a 16-yard run as Hampton took a 6-0 lead four minutes into the game.
Cloudland moved the ball to midfield on their opening drive, but the ‘Landers were unable to convert a fourth down.
The Cloudland defense, however, rose to the occasion by forcing a three-and-out of their own. The teams traded possessions for the rest of the quarter as the Bulldogs held a 6-0 advantage after a quarter of play.
Hampton got on the board on their first drive of the second quarter with an eight-play drive that was capped off when Conor Jones raced 29 yards for the touchdown.
On the ensuing Cloudland drive, the ‘Landers moved quickly to midfield, but the Hampton defense held on fourth down. The ‘Landers, however, got the ball back on the first play as Jacob Isaacs recovered a Hampton fumble.
However, the ‘Landers were unable to get anything going.
After the teams traded possessions, Hampton struck again as Jones found Chance Point for a 44-yard touchdown with just under 30 seconds remaining in the half to take a 20-0 lead.
The teams traded punts to open the third quarter before Hampton struck again when Johnathan Greenwell scored from a yard out. Hampton pushed the lead to 33-0 later in the quarter as Ryan Crumley capped off a drive with a 10-yard touchdown run.
Cloudland continued to battle in the final quarter as Chase Shell found Seth Birchfield for a 44-yard pass.
However, the ‘Landers were unable to break onto the scoreboard and were stopped on fourth down.
Jones paced the Bulldogs rushing attack as he had 78 yards on 10 carries, while Brody Hicks finished with 69 yards on four carries. Lunsford and Crumley had 47 and 41 yards, respectively.
Jones added 47 yards passing.
As a team, Hampton had 277 yards rushing on the night.
Birchfield led Cloudland with 44 yards on 18 carries and also finished with 69 yards receiving. Shell finished the night 9-of-20 for 84 yards passing.
Hampton returns to the road next Friday night with a trip to Happy Valley, while the ‘Landers are slated to be off.
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