Jaynes, Irick carry Jr. 'Dogs past Cloudland

Photo by Rick Harris Escaping the grasp of CloudlandÕs Michael Shadduck, HamptonÕs Jarred Irick returns a fumble 40 yards for a touchdown.

By Wes Holtsclaw
STAR STAFF
wholtsclaw@starhq.com
The Hampton Junior Bulldogs took the ball and ran with it.
In their first meeting against the Cloudland Junior Highlanders, the Jr. 'Dogs used 100-yard rushing games from Dustin Jaynes and Jarred Irick and scampered away in the second half with a 34-12 victory at J.C. Campbell Stadium.
"These guys got a good dose at halftime and they needed it because they weren't ready to play tonight," said Hampton coach Kelly Oliver. "They responded to that, and in the second half they were a different team.
"We've got a gifted backfield, but I've also got a good line. We can play like that all the time, but you know how kids are."
Jaynes gained 167 yards on 11 carries and four touchdowns, while Irick gained 101 yards on seven carries and scored a defensive touchdown.
"We finally got our act together after halftime and just went back out and played how we know how to play," said Jaynes. "The coach got after us rather well, but he got his point to us and we knew what he meant.
"It gives us a lot of momentum," he added. "We came out overlooking (Cloudland) and weren't ready to play. We realize what they're up for now and what's ahead of us."
The Junior Bulldog linemen were hard on Cloudland's trail throughout the entire game, paving the way for 287 yards on the ground during the squad's seven possessions.
Perhaps the biggest numbers were made on defense as Jaynes and Dustin Milhorn intercepted passes, while the line recovered two Cloudland fumbles.
Hampton scored on its first drive after Jaynes scampered 15 yards in the first quarter, while Cloudland quickly closed in early in the second with a 16-yard score from Josh Dugger.
The turning point of the game came in the second quarter when Hampton quarterback Milhorn fumbled the ball in the backfield on a fourth down, and Irick picked it up and stampeded 40 yards for a 14-6 lead at the half.
Jaynes scored twice in the third quarter on 35- and 19-yard scores, adding a 44-yarder in the fourth quarter to pull away with a 34-6 lead over Cloudland. Junior 'Lander Michael Lunsford, who also gained 135 yards on the ground, added the final score late with a 12-yard dash.
"We just didn't tackle well," said Cloudland coach Robbie Turbyfill. "(Dustin) Jaynes did a good job of going out and finding his holes and cutting it up. They are well coached and have some good backs. I see them being the league champs, I don't see anybody beating them besides possibly Unaka."
"We got pounded but we never gave up," he said. "My backs have still got to hit the holes harder. They've got a good line and good backs and we're lucky to get out of here 34-12."