Friday football: Hampton 21, Churchland 6

By John Streit

Correspondent

PORTSMOUTH

Late in the second quarter, a swarm of tiny flies descended on Churchland High School’s football field.

That was when Hampton’s offense decided to show up as well.

After failing to capitalize on two lost Churchland fumbles and gaining just 13 total yards through the first 17 minutes, Hampton mounted two scoring drives late in the first half that propelled it to a 21-6 win in a non-district clash on Friday night.

Hampton quarterback David Watford was nearly flawless on the Crabbers’ first scoring drive – a 44-yard march that began with Churchland’s third lost fumble of the first half.

Watford converted two third downs on passes to his favorite target, Dion Futch. The second set up Hampton on the Truckers’ 10.

Daquan Charity put the Crabbers (2-1) ahead for good two plays later on a 10-yard touchdown run with 2:40 left in the first half.

On the first offensive play after a Churchland three-and-out, Watford hit wideout Jason Manago with a 40-yard touchdown strike with 48 seconds remaining in the second quarter.

“We were kind of out of rhythm at first,” said Watford, who completed 7 of 17 passes for 121 yards and no interceptions. “But after we found it, we started feeling it.

“The offensive line started blocking good and we were able to get the ball downfield and score.”

After Churchland finally found its own rhythm on a 75-yard scoring drive capped by a 1-yard score from Cedric Cradle Jr., Watford answered with a 1-yard touchdown run with 7:18 remaining in the game.

Churchland (1-2) moved the ball in the first half, but its three lost fumbles marred its chances of hanging with the Crabbers.

Truckers quarterback Craig Brooks lost the ball on their first two possessions, and Jarrell Young fumbled a 10-yard, first-down pass, leading to Hampton’s first touchdown.

“There’s nothing to take away from this,” said Churchland coach Cedric Cradle Sr., who declined to comment further on the loss.

Notable stats H–Futch 5-83 receiving; Charity 9-49 rushing. C–Brooks 17-38 rushing.