Hampton Beats Howard In A Wild One 35-34 (9-16-23)
By: Lamonte Thomas
Headline Photo Credit: Chris Brown-BreezyShots
Audi Field. Black Excellence. Football immortality. Clash of the Culture. The Truth & Service Classic between Howard and Hampton never disappoints. On September 16th, over 16,000 fans witnessed another chapter of this golden rivalry.
Howard got things started when Senior quarterback Quinton Williams (Upper Marlboro, MD) threw a touchdown pass to Senior Jarrett Hunter (Mineral, VA) as he made defenders miss over the middle. After Hampton quarterback Christopher Zellous fumbled early in the second quarter, it was picked up by Howard’s Senior DB Kenny Gallop Jr. (Portsmouth, VA). The ensuing drive saw Williams hook up with Senior receiver Kasey Hawthorne (Sebring, FL) for a 52-yard touchdown bomb, putting Howard up 14-0.
The Pirates would fight back when Zellous would lead Hampton on a six-play, 61-yard drive that ended with his 1-yard plunge into the endzone. Kasey Hathorne would find the endzone again for Howard, extending the Bison lead to 21-7. Hampton would return the call with a 60-yard touchdown drive capped by a Darran Butts five-yard rushing touchdown. Hampton trailed Howard 21-14 at halftime. AND THE BANDS DID NOT DISAPPOINT.
Howard came out of the half with a 9-play, 75-yard touchdown drive highlighted by a two-yard touchdown jump pass from Kasey to Senior Tight End Brennan Brown (Dallas, TX). Howard would later add a field goal to widen Howard’s lead to 31-14.
Chris Zellous would then lead the comeback for Hampton, throwing a 12-yard score to Senior receiver Paul Woods (Buffalo, NY) and running another touchdown in on his own. Howard added a field goal in between the scores. Then with four minutes to go, he would break the plane again to put Hampton up 35-34. Howard’s last chance to win it was intercepted by Senior DB Jordan White (Orange, NJ).
Hampton (2-1) takes on Richmond (1-2) on 9/30 while Howard (1-2) faces Robert Morrison (1-2) on 9/30.
