McClain drives Bulldogs past Cumberland Gap on record-setting night
Published 12:15 am Saturday, October 29, 2016
It was another record-setting night for Hampton senior Adam McClain Friday as the Bulldogs hosted Cumberland Gap to close out the regular season and to celebrate Senior Night.
McClain surpassed Hampton’s regular-season rushing record as he carried for 236 yards on 13 carries giving him roughly 1907 yards on the year. The former record was set by Philip Waters who etched the recorded at 1874 yards.
“We have had some really good backs here at Hampton,” McClain said after the Bulldogs’ 62-6 win. “It is a great tradition, and I am really proud to be a part of it.”
It was always a big night for McClain’s fellow running back Hunter Davenport. The junior surpassed the 1,000 yards rushing mark after racking up 160 yards on just three carries Friday night.
“It felt good,” Davenport said. “I couldn’t do it without the line. They play a big part with their outstanding blocking.”
Like McClain and Davenport, Hampton head coach Michael Lunsford was quick to point out the important role the Hampton frontline plays in the game. Those linemen are C.J. Wilson, Clay Fletcher, Ty Breland, Danny Winters and Austin Boling.
“We have five guys up there that are very experienced,” Lunsford said. “Most of them played last year on the team that took us to the fourth round. They are an experienced mature group that always comes ready to play.”
The Bulldogs took the ball first and capitalized on their first drive. After being pinned deep at the Panthers’ 12, Hampton, with the help of a 67-yard scamper by McClain, the ‘Dogs pushed to the Panthers’ one before Dakota Sanchez punched it on in to give Hampton a 6-0 lead with 10:30 left in the first.
The Panthers’ were able to find paydirt on the following possession. In 12 plays that saw a mixture of running and passing, Cumberland Gap scored on a 8-yard run by Gage Ellison. The game was tied at 6-6 with 4:46 left in the first.
Hampton didn’t let that tie last long as Davenport rushed in a 79-yard yard touchdown on the first play of the Bulldogs’ second drive. McClain popped in for the two-point conversion to give the Bulldogs a 14-6 lead 4:39 left in first frame.
After forcing the Panther’s to punt, McClain capped off the Hampton’s third possession of the night with a 43-yard touchdown. Sanchez knocked through the kick, and Hampton led 22-6 with 2:15 in the first.
Hampton’s defense stalled Cumberland Gap again before McClain took it to the house from 67-yards outs.
On the first play of the Panthers’ following drive, Hampton’s Gavin Hardin recovered a fumble before Sanchez ran in a 2-yard touchdown to give Hampton a 34-6 early in the second quarter.
A 52-yard touchdown run by Davenport pushed Hampton lead out to 41-6 after Sanchez’s kick with 6:14 second left in the half.
The Bulldogs’ final touchdown of the half came off a 24-yard touchdown pass from Hampton QB Jason Russell to Brett Deaton. Heading into the half, the ‘Dogs led 47-6.
Hampton got on board two more times in the second half with Sanchez rushing in a 15-yard touchdown and Matt Hughes speeding in from 13 yards out.
With the win, the ‘Dogs moved to 6-1 in Region 1-2A and 9-1 overall. The Bulldogs and the Warriors finished the regular season with the same record, being recognized as co-conference champions. But due to the head-to-head, the Warriors will assume the No. 1 seed for the playoffs while Hampton takes the No. 2 seed. Both teams will have a home game to open the postseason.
Next Friday, Hampton will begin playoffs as they host Sweetwater (7-3, Conference 4-2)
“It is do or die, now,” said Lunsford. “This is what you get ready for all year.”