Monday night, after Hampton completed their 2017 media day, some of the Bulldogs were hungry to race running back Hunter Davenport.
The reason they wanted to face off with the senior? He sets the bar high when it comes to speed. Davenport made easy work of his opponents Monday night, and according to Hampton head coach Michael Lunsford, there are not many Bulldogs, past or present, that come close to how quick Davenport is.
“I would say he is one of the fastest,” said Hampton head coach Mike Lunsford. “Philip Waters was really fast, and he is probably the closest we have had to how fast Hunter is.”
In 2016, Davenport racked up 1,530 yards on 109 carries while providing the Bulldogs with 27 touchdowns. The speedy back averaged roughly 14 yards a carry, and it is stats like that has coach Lunsford excited for what Davenport will bring to the field during his senior campaign.
“Hunter can be as good as he will allow himself to be,” said Lunsford. “I told him today, ‘People can remember you one of two ways, and it’s up to you how they remember you.
“He is a kid that is a spectacular athlete,” Lunsford added. “He has worked his butt off in the off season. He competed in track while he was lifting weights with us. I expect a lot from Hunter.”
With this being his last run with the ‘Dogs, Davenport said he knows that he and his fellow seniors have to make this season count.
“I expect a good senior year this year,” said Davenport. “We have a couple of returners. We have Jason (Russell), C.J. (Wilson), and Gavin (Hardin). We have come really far and have worked really hard. We have to finish our senior year strong.”
The Bulldogs will have some youth on their offensive line this year, but Davenport expects the big guys up front to step up when it comes to game time.
“We have (Logan) Spake, who is a new kid this year,” said Davenport. “He has come out to help us. We have some younger guys because we lost all of our linemen last year. But they are working hard. We are a young team. We have to start somewhere.”
Anytime that Davenport is brought up in a discussion it is usually about how fast he is. Davenport said that his speed is just something he has developed over the years.
“I have just worked on it,” he said. “After my freshman year and getting hurt, I just said I would be determined to get faster and stronger. I have just worked on it every day.”
Davenport and the Bulldogs will open the 2017 season on August 18 as they travel to Trinity Academy in Gray.