Jr. Dogs topple Cloudland

By Wes Holtsclaw
STAR CORRESPONDENT

   It was a classic story of the 'Fast and the Furious' last night on Campbell Stadium as the Hampton Jr. Bulldogs held back the charging Cloudland Jr. Landers 28-12.
   "This was the most physical game we have seen all year," said Hampton coach Kelly Oliver. "Cloudland brought it tonight, but we got that play off at the end of the first half and it gave us what we needed."
   Hampton would take the ball first, only to be dominated by a Cloudland defense led by Robert Lowery, who sacked Brandon Barnett and recovered a fumble to give the Jr. Landers the ball.
   Cloudland was held up on their first two plays after stellar defense from Lucas Roark. However, the Jr. Landers turned it all over to Jon Harrison, who blasted through the Hampton defense, leading to a 3-yard Adam Stevens touchdown. A missed conversion made it 6-0 Cloudland.
   Hampton came back and was shut down again, forcing a punt.
   Cloudland, led by Bryan Simmons and Harrison, got the ball into the Hampton redzone. However, an ineligible shift penalty followed by a defensive stall gave the Jr. 'Dogs another shot at redemption.
   Cloudland would be successful at closing down the Hampton offense, forcing a fourth-and-14.
   But Brandon Barnett pulled a Spurrier-styled pass, dodging two sacks and airing out a 36-yard bomb to Jordan Honeycutt to take a first down.
   From there, the Jr. Dogs suffered another blow as Barnett was sacked by Bryan Simmons for a huge loss with :12 left in the half.
   Jon Potter then took the next carry and raced for the border, dodging four tackles and two defensive backs with a 36-yard touchdown to tie it up at the end of the first half.
   Cloudland came out in the second half ready to shut the door on the Jr. 'Dogs, pushing the ball into Hampton territory. Luckily for Hampton, Roark stepped up and made a huge play, intercepting a Nick Winchester pass to turn the tide.
   In only two plays Hampton took the lead on a 62-yard touchdown blast from Dustin Jaynes, handing the Jr. Dogs their first lead of the night, 12-6.
   Cloudland said 'I don't think so' with a huge 58-yard Bryan Simmons gain, which led to a 4-yard Harrison score, tying it up at 12.
   Hampton came back with a nice 11-yard run from Potter, and scored on the next play with a 47-yard touchdown from Jaynes to make it 18-12 Jr. Dogs.
   The Hampton defense then stepped up and took the Jr. Landers to the house with an 11-yard touchdown from Potter late in the fourth to put the game away 24-12.
   "This is the first time in several years that we have beat them twice in a season," said Hampton coach Oliver. "Our whole team hopes everything goes well for Coach Julian and his family. That team brought it hard tonight, but we came out with it and it's over."
   Said Cloudland coordinator: "I'm very proud of the effort these boys showed tonight. They worked hard and never gave up. I hope the eighth graders and next year's team can build off this for next year."
   Cloudland head coach Jon Julian was at the game last night, and was thankful for all of the support everyone has given him and his family.
   "I appreciate all of the prayers," said Coach Julian. "God's answered mine, and I want to let everyone know how much we appreciate their support throughout everything.
   "I want to thank these boys for working hard for me. They had a good year and I am proud of them."
   This ends the junior high football season for Hampton and Cloudland. Congratulations to both teams on a job well done.