Happy Valley took care of business in the second half.
The Warriors captured a 19-12 victory over Hampton in the Region 1-2A opener for both squads on Warrior Hill Friday night. HV snapped a four-game losing streak to the Bulldogs and improved to 2-0 overall on the year, while Hampton fell to 0-4 overall.
Happy Valley jumped out to an early lead with a methodical opening drive. The Warriors ran 16 plays and took nearly 10 minutes off the clock before Tyler Berry scored on a short run as HV took a 6-0 lead.
Hampton, however, answered with a drive of their own. With Dom Burleson leading the way, the Bulldogs took 13 plays before scoring on a nine-yard run to tie things up at 6-6 four minutes into the second quarter.
During the Hampton drive, the game was delayed as emergency and training personnel attended to Happy Valley’s Berry – who was transported to an area hospital for precautionary measures.
The Warriors were unable to get anything on their second drive of the game as they went three-and-out and Hampton moved quickly to take a 12-6 lead after Burleson scored on a 15-yard run with just over two minutes to play in the half.
Hampton maintained the advantage at the half.
In the third quarter, the Bulldogs marked 58 yards into the HV red zone before a fumble ended the drive. HV was forced to punt on their first offensive possession of the second half.
Gabe McDougald came up big for Happy Valley late in the third quarter.
The junior broke free around the edge blocked a Hampton punt and recovered inside the Hampton 10. Three plays later, the Warrior offensive line cleared a path for McDougald to score on a short run.
The Warriors took a 13-12 lead into the final quarter as AJ Rangel added the extra point.
In the fourth quarter, the teams traded punts to open the quarter before Happy Valley stopped Hampton on fourth down at midfield. McDougald added a 38-yard touchdown with 3:24 left in the game.
After the Bulldogs were unable to convert a fourth down, HV was able to run out the clock to secure the win.
McDougald had 15 carries for 92 yards to lead the way for HV. Jamie Esterline finished with 33 yards on 11 carries, while Lane Parker had seven carries for 26 yards.
Burleson led Hampton with 96 yards rushing. Peyton Townsend added 20 rushing yards and two catches for the Bulldogs.
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