Coach Littleton Parker saw his squad self destruct early to the point of no return.
HOPEWELL- Southampton’s performance has been a roller coaster ride all season long. Dropping to teams like Colonial Heights and Park View but beating Sussex Central and Greensville County. Friday night that was another big drop in the ride allowing their season to come to end.
Southampton looked good on the opening drive running down Hopewell’s throat but they would see it end with a turnover at the Blue Devil 40. One the very first play for Hopewell, quarterback Greg Cuffey would connect with Ronnie Walker Jr. for a 60-yard touchdown to make it 6-0.
The Indians would stall and this time Robert Briggs will go 40-yards for the touchdown run to make it 12-0. The breaking point in the game came when Southampton kept the faith and kept grinding. Jonathan Hall broke a big run down into the redzone of the Blue Devils but faced a 4th and 1 at the Hopewell 5. Hall will get stuff and Hopewell took over.
Cuffey would pick the Indians a part and concluded the drive with an 11-yard pass to Sean Allen. Haden would convert the extra point and Hopewell led 19-0. With 7:21 in the 2nd quarter, Southampton would suffer their 2nd fumble. Cuffey would make them pay going up top to Allen for 30-yard touchdown. Southampton would fumble for a third time and another drive inside the 20 of Hopewell would end with another fumble. 4 fumbles (5 total) in the 1st half and Hopewell led 25-0 at the half..
Shamon Reid-Wilkerson would score on an 85-yard kick-off return and a 28-yard run to give them a reason to look forward to next season. Tayriel Ruffin ended his career at Southampton (7-4) and should get some looks from several schools.
Cuffey completed 7 of 12 passes for 177 yards and 3 touchdowns. Briggs had 9 carries for 125 yards and 3 touchdowns. Hopewell (7-4) will likely face the Phoebus Phantoms (10-0) at Darling Stadium next weekend.
SOUTHAMPTON 0 0 6 7 - 13
HOPEWELL 12 13 13 7 - 45
H- Walker Jr. 60-yard pass from Cuffey (kick failed)
H- Briggs 40-yard run (run failed)
H- Allen 11-yard pass from Cuffey (Haden kick)
H- Allen 30-yard pass (kick failed)
H- Briggs 1-yard run (Haden kick)
H- Walker 20-yard run (kick blocked)
S- Reid-Wilkerson 85-yard kick return (kick failed)
H- Briggs 30-yard run (Haden kick)
S- Reid-Wilkerson 28-yard run (Holloway kick)
