Hampton wasn’t going to be denied on Friday.
The Bulldogs captured a 47-18 victory over Region 2 No. 1 seed Rockwood on the road in the second round of the Class 2A playoffs on Friday night.
Hampton advances to the state quarterfinals where they will travel to Oneida next Friday. The Indians upset South Greene 35-21.
The Bulldogs took control in the first quarter and never looked back
After Rockwood took a 6-0 lead, Hampton answered with a statement drive that was capped off by a short Conor Jones touchdown.
The Michael Harrison extra point was good as HHS took a 7-6 lead midway through the quarter.
The Bulldog defense forced a Tiger punt and the offense went back to work. Levi Lunsford broke into the endzone for a two-yard touchdown.
Jones came up big for the Hampton defense with an interception and the signal-caller scored on a three-yard run as Hampton took a 21-6 lead into the second quarter.
In the second stanza, the Bulldogs got back on the board as Jones scored his third touchdown of the night.
Hampton wasn’t done in the first half as the defense anchored by McKinley Kuhn continued to keep Rockwood in check.
Jonathan Greenwell added to the HHS lead with a nine-yard run as the Bulldogs maintained a 34-6 lead at the half.
The Tigers threatened to get back on the board as they drove inside the Hampton 4, but an interception maintained the advantage.
Rockwood opened the second half scoring to cut into the Hampton lead. The Bulldogs, however, answered back as Jones hit Ashton Hardin for a 12-yard touchdown.
Broady Hicks capped the Hampton scoring as he scored on an eight-yard run midway through the fourth quarter.
Ryan Crumley led the Bulldogs in tackles, while Chance Point, Gene Carrico, Dominique Burleson and Jones each recorded an interception for the Bulldogs.
