In a battle of state-ranked and unbeaten Carter County teams, Happy Valley used the ground game to run to a victory.
The Warriors ran to a 44-16 victory over Hampton inside JC Campbell Stadium in nonconference play. The Warriors improve to 4-0 on the year, while Hampton moves to 3-1 on the season.
Happy Valley recorded all of its offense on the ground with 247 rushing yards. Lane Parker had 13 carries for 130 yards and three touchdowns, while Nalique Anderson had 10 carries for 98 yards and a score.
Artee Bahn added a 70-yard punt return touchdown for the Warriors, while Tyler Berry also scored on the ground.
Hampton saw Brody Lambert record 58 yards on the ground with 14 carries and a touchdown, while Eli Tester had 12 carries for 55 yards. Kaden Jones added a touchdown and 33 yards.
The Bulldogs had 213 yards of total offense.
The first quarter was a quick one.
After a lengthy HV drive to open the game, Parker scored on a one-yard touchdown run.
Hampton, however, responded with a lengthy drive of its own that ran out the first-quarter clock, and the Bulldogs scored in the opening minute of the second as Jones scored on a one-yard run.
Logan Hughes and Brycen Blevins connected for the two-point conversion to give Hampton an 8-6 advantage.
The Warriors picked up the pace with a quick drive that ended with an Anderson touchdown from 30 yards out.
After Parker nabbed an interception, HV saw Berry score on a short touchdown run and Maycol Vasquez added the extra point to give the Warriors a 21-8 lead at the half.
In the third quarter, Happy Valley forced a Hampton punt on the opening drive of the half, and Bahn returned it 70 yards for the touchdown.
Hampton, however, didn’t go quietly as the Bulldogs worked down the field and scored on fourth and goal with a Lambert touchdown. Blevins added the two-point conversion.
The Happy Valley defense added a safety after a holding call in the endzone to push the Warrior lead to 30-16.
From there, Parker added two touchdowns in the fourth to secure the win for Happy Valley.
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Photos by Matt Laws / Carter County Sports
