By Jeremy Orr
LowcoSports.com
With both teams bearing the same 9-3 record and last year’s playoff battle going to overtime, it’s safe to say Hampton County’s third-round rematch on the road at Manning on Friday night is evenly matched, but these teams are not mirror images.
The Hurricanes and Monarchs approach this Class 2A Lower State semifinal contest with differing gameplans, personnel, X’s and O’s, coaching style, and overall style of play, and only one system can prevail and advance to next week’s Lower State championship.
Last year’s matchup gave us everything we could ask for — except a healthy Jaylen Singletary. “Agent Zero” was limited to brief action before leaving with an injury before the Monarchs rallied to escape with a 28-27 overtime win and stunningly end Hampton County’s season.
It’s hard to imagine anything better than a one-point overtime game in November, but the sequel could be even more action-packed.
The Hurricanes have had to prove they belong with the best in the state after an early three-game losing streak against quality opponents, and they’re determined to become a perennial contender for Lower State and state titles. There’s an added sense of urgency and intensity for the Hurricanes this week, as they return to a setting where their dreams were crushed a year ago.
The Hurricanes are extra hungry to storm through Manning and pick up a redemptive win, not just for the newcomers on the roster, but especially for the returners who had to suffer such a demoralizing loss in last season’s playoffs. For Manning, things will be business as usual, but they know that the Hampton County squad they are facing this time around is completely different.
Despite losing a significant senior class highlighted by quarterback Chris Terry, Hampton County has leaned more on Singletary on offense this season, and with incredible results.
Singletary is the eye of the storm, having put up a video-game statline that consists of 244 total points — the 15th-highest total in the nation according to MaxPreps — with a Lowco-best 2,046 rushing yards and 39 total touchdowns.
Singletary has been a vital piece to this program and is extra-enticed to have a monstrous game against the team he was injured against last season. He said on the LowcoSports Lowdown that he and the Hurricanes want all the smoke against the Monarchs as they continue their quest to bring the first state championship to the newly conjoined school.
Tarell Grant, who faced a big challenge in succeeding Terry at quarterback, has certainly risen to the occasion in his first season behind center while still contributing in a big way in the secondary. Grant gives the Hurricanes a different look, offering another dynamic running threat and the ability to occasionally hit a big play in the passing game with deep threats Desmond Mathis and Karrinton Sabb. Hampton County averages roughly 60 passing yards per game, but does most of its damage on the ground with 303 rushing yards per contest.
The Monarchs have a defense worthy of combating the freight train that is Singletary. The stingy defense is highlighted by junior linebacker Ethan Lowder, who has 113 total tackles, senior linebacker Jontavious Canty (65 tackles), and junior two-way phenom CJ Robinson, who has two interceptions and 29 tackles.
This game will certainly be won in the trenches, but will have all the supporting parts to be one of the best matchups this week. As long as Singletary stays on the field, the Hurricanes should have a chance down the stretch as they try to flip the script and punch their ticket to the Lower State finals for the second time in three years.
After that? Who knows.