LIVE Updates - Gloucester (5-4) at Hampton (6-2)

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Greetings from a chilly Darling Stadium in Hampton as it's Homecoming for the host Hampton Crabbers, sitting at 6-2 overall and currently in a tie for the #1 seed for Class 5, Region A when it comes to the playoffs, despite losing their last two games to Woodside and Phoebus.

Visiting Hampton is Gloucester, now 5-4 overall and at the moment the #6 seed for the Class 5, Region A playoffs. The Dukes can clinch a postseason berth - their first since 1988 - with an upset of the Crabbers.

Follow updates all evening long here and through my Twitter feed @ hatfieldsports

 

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Gloucester is using Isaiah Lester more at QB than Isaiah Spencer, who the Dukes are moving around and playing some at WR and RB. Spencer is their next-level prospect with a handful of FBS and FCS offers (UVA, ODU, Norfolk State and others).

Hampton is unable to move the chains more than once on its opening possession as Joe Conroy comes free from the blindside on 3rd down to sack Crabbers QB Cam Stevenson. Three linemen are dinged up for the Crabbers tonight and sidelined is arguably their best two-way lineman, Tyrique Coleman.

We'll keep an eye on that and his absence, what impact it has, as the night moves along...

 

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A special teams error gives Hampton excellent field position. Gloucester had a nice flare pass with Spencer, who they've also gotten the football to on a jet sweep, but they were unable to keep the drive going.

Lester is 4 of 4 for 12 yards passing in the opening period so far. A lot of simple and short passes to this point.

 

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Crabbers with 23 yards - all rushing - on 7 plays (0-1 passing) in that opening period. No penalties on Hampton yet and 3 called on Gloucester for 32 yards.

 

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That was essentially a gift-wrapped touchdown by the Gloucester special teams unit. However, an important one for the Crabbers nonetheless because you never want to let an underdog - such as Gloucester - linger around in a game and gain confidence.

 

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Tough break for the Dukes as Lester, rolling right, has his first pass not caught by a teammate.

So Hampton can potentially go up by two touchdowns without either scoring drive being more than 25 yards. Mike Smith will gladly take that, but Gloucester's defense hopes to stiffen.

 

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Nifty play-call by Mike Smith's Crabbers on 3rd & 7 from the Gloucester 19 as an end around to Javon Rodriguez, faking the jet sweep one way and going the other, results in a gain of 17 yards.

Gets the defense flowing one way and then the burst the other has them chasing essentially.

 

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Spencer, being recruited by UVA as a linebacker, had 5 of his team's first 9 tackles on defense. A badly needed INT there.

 

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If he's not the Peninsula District Player of the Year, Spencer should finish #2 or #3 in the voting in my opinion. Does so much for his team.

 

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The Gloucester drive stalls. They take a deep shot down the field - Spencer's first pass attempt with 1:08 to go in the half - is nearly picked off deep. He must've launched it a good 40 yards in the air, though.

Credit Hampton's Olando Robinson for a tackle for loss on 2nd down, then a slant pass thrown by Spencer is dropped by his intended receiver.

The Dukes punt it away, and it results in their second straight punt of just 10 yards. Remember, the first one they were unable to get off because of an errant snap.

 

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Some quick numbers at the break as we have Homecoming festivities taking place on the field...

For Hampton at the break:
Cam Stevenson - 1-5 for 36 pass yards; 9Car. 29Yds. 2TD's
Javon Rodriquez - 1Car. 17Yds.
Khairiq Grogins - 1Rec. 36Yds.
Samari Smith - 4 Tackles

Crabbers - 19 plays for 90 total yards (54 rush yards on 14 carries; 1-5 for 36 pass yards, INT); 1 penalty for 15 yards; 1 turnover on INT

For Gloucester at the break:
Isaiah Spencer - 0-2 passing; 9Car. 46Yds; 2Rec. 12Yds; 5 Solo Tackles, INT
Isaiah Lester - 4-6 for 12 pass yards
Joren Brown - 5Car. 28Yds.
Joe Conroy - 3 Tackles, 1 Sack

Dukes - 28 plays for 92 total yards (80 rush yards on 20 carries; 4-8 for 12 pass yards, INT); 6 penalties for 47 yards; 1 turnover on INT

 

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That was a 4-play, 73-yard drive (longest of the night for Hampton) in 1:41. Rodriquez did a nice job of seeing the seam, cutting up field and taking off to the end zone.

Hampton is 3/3 on two-point conversion tries as well. Their kicking game is non-existent.

 

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Cameron Walker is starting to come alive defensively off the edge, consistently finding his way into the Hampton offensive backfield.

 

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Second takeaway of the night for Daequan Battle, who had an INT earlier in the contest. It basically was an intended pass in the flat, but because it was backwards, the officials ruled it a lteral as the intended target did not react to get it quick enough.

That's the 3rd turnover of the night committed by Gloucester and a very costly one as the Crabbers can smell a running clock.

Javon Rodriquez added the 2-point conversion run.

 

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Cam Stevenson with a 54-yard punt return and a Gloucester is shaken up after the play. We've got 18 seconds left in the third quarter and Hampton leads it 32-0, sitting at the Gloucester 27-yard line.

Hampton's defense is looking for their fourth shutout of the season and this one would be the most impressive of all. Gloucester came in averaging 25.2 points per game. The other three shutouts for Hampton were against Warwick, Kecoughtan and Menchville - none of the three sitting at or above .500.

 

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Let's give some of these o-linemen for Hampton love tonight. Working from left to right - Juanya Majette (known more for his prowess on defense at linebacker), Shedrick Kemp-Copeland, Julian Martin, Amir Fowlkes and Isaac Barrow.

A trio of seniors and a couple of juniors have paved the way for a solid rushing attack this evening.

 

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With the clock running, Hampton subs in Markease Jones at QB and he rumbles 31 yards into Gloucester territory.

Khairiq Grogins - a key member of the Crabbers basketball team also - finishes the drive off with a TD with 5:13 to play. Jones adds a 2-point run.

5:13 to play - Hampton 46, Gloucester 0

 

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