Bulldogs try to paw back from loss
Published 12:53 am Friday, September 13, 2019
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Star Photo/Brandon Hyde Hampton's Gage Chambers will be a player counted on by head coach Michael Lunsford will be counting on to get the Bulldog's back on the winning track tonight against Cloudland.
BY AUSTIN ALEXANDER
STAR CORRESPONDENT
This past Friday was a tough pill to swallow for the Hampton Bulldogs. Riding a high off their big win against Unicoi County, the Bulldogs marched right into the matchup with Happy Valley with full momentum.
Costly mistakes ended up being too much and the Bulldogs lost a tight one 14-8.
Much like anything else in this world though, the Bulldogs have little time to think on the loss as they welcome in cross-county foe Cloudland this Friday.
Prep after such a close game can be tougher than usual.
“We had a lot of positive plays in the game against Happy Valley, but we had enough undisciplined mistakes that when you play good teams those few plays are what costs you,” said Coach Michael Lunsford on how Friday’s game could’ve been different.
“We have to dust ourselves off and get ready for another good football team this week and be able to correct some mistakes,” he continued as he knows his team is capable of better.
Some of those mistakes are as simple as just finding the right execution as Coach Lunsford said one of the biggest keys to winning was, “being disciplined in our assignments.” He continued saying, “We all have to do our job individually so that we can accomplish our goal as a team.”
That team goal is something the Bulldogs will look to in making sure everyone pulls together for the best possible chance of a win. But there may be a few guys who stand out a little more than the rest.
“Matt Hughes has proved to be a really good runner for us and has really matured this season,” Coach Lunsford said regarding one of his key weapons.
He continued speaking about another standout, “Gage Chambers has been one of our most consistent players and we have to get the ball in his hands more.”
Looking to get back to .500 this Hampton Bulldogs team knows they’re capable of better play, but this week also might mean a little more being another in county showdown.
“Hampton and Cloudland are two very close communities and it is always a good game for our communities,” Coach Lunsford said about the mild rivalry between the two schools.
Both teams will be eager to hit the field looking to find momentum for that all-important midseason string of games.
Kickoff this Friday between the Hampton Bulldogs and Cloudland Highlanders is at 7:30 pm at Hampton.
