Hampton JV turns two big plays into a 16-2 win over Warriors

Published 1:43 am Wednesday, September 11, 2019

By Ivan Sanders

BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR SPORTS EDITOR
One of the biggest issues for smaller schools is that it’s tough to work with a junior varsity program as in most instances the junior varsity squad often lines up opposite the varsity team preparing for a Friday night contest.
 
However, when these teams are able to step away from being practice dummies for their teammates, they often discover that all the beating and banging they do in practice can come back in a big way.
 
Such was the case on Monday on Warrior Hill when Hampton came calling on the Happy Valley junior varsity to mix it up in football action.
 
When the final horn sounded, the ‘Dogs managed to come up with a couple of big plays and turned them into 16 points to outlast the Warriors by a 16-2 score.
 
“I thought we played excellent defense,” said Hampton head coach Matt Myers. “Coach Ora Hyder does a great job of preparing our defense to really shut them down.
 
“On offense, we got a ways to go. We are young and need to practice ball security. I am happy to come here and get a win. Anytime you get a win as Hampton its special and we can build on this the rest of the year.”
 
After a scoreless first quarter, Hampton finally managed to crack the egg on their side of the scoreboard as Tristan Lipford broke free on a 66-yard gallop to put the ‘Dogs on top 6-0 with 6:30 left before the half.
 
Lipford topped off his run by converting the two-point conversion to extend the lead to 8-0.
 
“It’s that old Lombardi sweep,” Myers said of the play call. “It works. It has worked since he ran it and it still works now. It was definitely a big momentum thing. Tristan ran the ball well all night.
 
“He’s explosive and a guy that can get out in space and do a lot of things. I was really proud of him and our young offensive line. Our kids came and blocked really well.”
 
The ‘Dogs went to the locker room leading by the same 8-0 score as the clock ticked down to zeros.
 
Happy Valley came out and was moving the ball more effectively than in the first half behind the tough running of Dylan Woodby and Pedro Colunga.
 
However, a drive that had signs of possibly developing into something for the Warriors quickly went south when Austin Miller stepped in front of a Blake Garmon pass and turned it into a 55-yard pick-six with 7:37 to play in the third quarter.
 
Hampton quarterback Caleb Royston found Miller on the two-point conversion and the ‘Dogs were up 16-0.
 
Happy Valley took the kickoff and once again began to move the ball steadily on the ground behind Woodby and Colunga. Garmon added a big run on the possession as well as the Warriors moved into the red zone at the ‘Dog five-yard line.
 
Once again, ill fate would strike as Garmon was trying to stretch the ball toward the goal line and lost control of the football. The officials gave the ball to Hampton at the two-yard line as the Warrior coaching staff was making a valid point that Garmon’s knees were on the ground before the ball came loose.
 
It was to no avail, however, as Hampton took possession.
 
With their backs against the wall, Royston attempted to get the ball out on a pass play but the Warrior defense forced the issue and as a result recorded a safety on the sack of Royston in the end zone.
 
The score with 2:52 in the third was 16-2 in favor of the Bulldogs.
 
Each team had a couple of opportunities from that point but neither could manage to find the end zone as the game ended with the same 16-2 score.

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