Father versus son. Community versus community. Highlander versus Bulldog.

It is that time of year again when Hampton takes on Cloudland in Carter County rivalry action.

And Cloudland head coach Mike Lunsford expects his son, Michael Lunsford, head coach of the ‘Dogs, to bring all the Bulldogs have to offer Friday night in Roan Mountain.

“We will definitely see something we know,” said Lunsford with a laugh after last Friday’s win over Unaka. “Their quarterback (Alex Hardin) is throwing really well for them right now. He threw for 300 yards against Gatlinburg Pittman.

“We will have to play better pass defense than we have played,” added Lunsford. “We will have to or he will torch us.

“They are well coached, and that feller down there does a good job,” continued Lunsford about Michael Lunsford. “And he wants to beat me more than anyone else.”

The Bulldogs will be coming to Roan Mountain after topping Sullivan North, 30-8, in a key Region 1-AA matchup last Friday at J.C. Campbell Stadium.

Hampton was led by senior Lane Potter who rushed for 116 yards and two touchdowns, while Hardin tossed for over 70 yards.

While Hampton was defeating Sullivan North, the Highlanders sped past Unaka, 64-0 last Friday.

On the ground, Cloudland senior Jordan Coffey rushed for 112 yards on 12 carries while quarterback Malachi Benfield tossed for over 110 yards.

Last season, the Bulldogs (3-3, 2-0) fell, 22-20, to Cloudland (5-1, 2-0) at J.C. Campbell Stadium. The Bulldogs won in both 2016 (42-38) and 2015 (56-30).

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

Other Matchups this Week

Happy Valley at Johnson County, 7:30 p.m.

Union at Elizabethton, 7:30 p.m.

Unicoi at Unaka, 7:30 p.m.