Burleson’s big day elevates Hampton past Happy Valley
Published 12:48 am Saturday, September 14, 2019
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Star Photo/Larry N. Souders
The Warriors Waylon McKeehan (31) takes the handoff from quarterback Drew Blevins (3) and looks for running room up the middle late in the second quarter.
Star Photo/Larry N. Souders
Happy Valley quarterback Drew Blevins (3) was flushed from the pocket by the Bulldog defense but still gained six yards, setting up third and short before being forced out of bounds on the play.
Star Photo/Larry N. Souders
The Bulldogs Dominque Burleson (30) takes a screen pass from quarterback Dylan Trivette and turns it into a 38-yard touchdown play down the far sideline for his third touchdown of the first half.
Star Photo/Larry N. Souders
The Warriors Waylon McKeehan (31) breaks free for first down yardage early in the first quarter.
BY AUSTIN ALEXANDER
STAR CORRESPONDENT
HAPPY VALLEY – Happy Valley Middle played host to Hampton on Thursday night just one week removed from their heartbreaking loss to Johnson County.
On the flip side, Hampton looked to exploit the Junior Warriors for another loss. Despite a good effort, the Warriors could never come up with an answer to Bulldogs’ stud Dominque Burleson who ran wild.
Hampton started the game receiving the kick but their opening drive was quickly quailed by a stifling Warrior defense. The Bulldogs were forced into a punt.
After a so-so punt, the Warriors started their first drive in great field position at their own 44.
A few Waylon McKeehan runs pushed the Warriors down the field, but the drive stalled out after some Warrior penalties and their ensuing punt would be blocked giving the Bulldogs great field position.
Hampton would take over and Burleson would start smashing into the Happy Valley defense.
After a penalty brought back an Elijah Swicegood touchdown, Burleson would bust an 18-yard touchdown run. After the unsuccessful two-point conversion, the Bulldogs led 6-0.
Happy Valley would fumble the ensuing kickoff and Hampton would go back to work, but their drive was ended following a failed fake punt.
After a McKeehan 12-yard run, the Warriors would throw an interception to Swicegood.
Once again with the ball, Burleson would smoke a 65-yard touchdown and Hampton would make the score 14-0.
Happy Valley again went four and out as Hampton took over on downs with all the momentum in the world.
Dylan Trivett found Burleson for a 38-yard touchdown capping off a four-play, 51-yard drive and giving the Bulldogs a resounding 20-0 lead heading in the half.
Out of the half, Happy Valley saw more of the same going four and out yet again and giving the ball back to Hampton after a fourth-down fumble.
With the ball again, Trivett would put the Bulldog offense on his back and lead a 57-yard drive capped off by a 19 yard run from the quarterback.
Down 28-0, Happy Valley finally started to build a formidable drive chunking away at the Hampton defense.
A Drew Blevins pass would find Landon Keller for 15 yards setting the Warriors up with first and 15.
After being held to force a fourth down, Micheal Anspaugh would pick a pass off to crush the Warriors chances of scoring.
The fourth quarter saw two more touchdowns from Hampton and also a Happy Valley touchdown that would make the final 40-8.
Two teams that seem to be trending in opposite directions as the season heads into the homestretch both found answers and questions.
