It was the first home game in the history of the new Hampton High School in Henry County, and the Sandy Creek Patriots made it a blowout of historic proportions.
With five touchdowns in the game’s first 13 minutes, the Patriots cruised to a 49-6 win over the outmanned Hampton Hornets to improve to 3-0 on the season and extend their regular-season unbeaten streak to 52 games.
Playing a regular AAAA schedule in the school’s first year of operation and without a senior class, the Hornets dressed out 21 players for the game.
It all started on the first play after the opening kickoff, when Eric Swinney took the handoff to the left side, cut back across the field and raced 60 yards for a touchdown. The Hornets ran three plays and punted, and on first down Trey Walker lofted a 48-yard scoring pass to Korey Banks. Only 2:10 had run off the clock and the score was 14-0.
A short time later Elijah Gilmore picked off a Hampton pass and returned it 30 yards for another touchdown. On the Patriots’ next possession Austin Vazquez broke loose for a 40-yard run to set up his own 4-yard touchdown burst up the middle, making the score 28-0 with 1:40 left in the first quarter.
The Patriots started the second quarter with a number of starters done for the night. Marvin Hubbard scored about a minute into the period on a 36-yard run. Hampton got inside the 10 on one possession but was unable to take the ball across the goal line before halftime.
The Hornets got on the scoreboard with just over two minutes left in the third quarter on a short touchdown pass. The drive was kept alive by a fake punt that resulted in a long gain.
The Patriots answered as Christian Branch returned the ensuing kickoff 79 yards to the end zone.
There was little offense of note the rest of the way, partly because the entire second half was played with a running clock.
In the game’s final minutes Devyn Sullivan intercepted a pass and returned it to the Hampton 5. On second-and-goal from the 1, Alex Christopher scored the final touchdown of the night on the game’s final play.
The Patriots travel to Newnan next Friday night.
Whitewater 31, Banneker 20: The Wildcats (2-0), who led 24-6 at halftime, host East Coweta next Friday.
Fayette County 21, Starr’s Mill 14: The Tigers (1-2) are off next week and travel to Central-Carrollton Sept. 19; the Panthers (0-2) travel to Dutchtown next Friday.
Landmark 27, Pace Academy 21: The War Eagles (3-0) gained 304 yards on the ground to pick up the win. They are off next week and travel to Josey Sept. 19.
Our Lady of Mercy 27, KIPP Academy 7: The Bobcats (1-1) travel to Aquinas next Friday.
McIntosh was off this week. The Chiefs (1-1) travel to Ola next Friday.
