The BigRich Sports Report
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Richard Rhoden
It’s going to take more than a little rain to ground the hype around the Hampton football team in 2023.
The Hawks were one of 28 football teams around the state Monday to begin practice, a week earlier than everyone else.
Thanks to an adjustment in the schedule, Hampton’s new home opener falls on Week 0, hosting Franklin on Aug. 18.
Despite a few Monday morning rain showers, which could be characterized as happy tears from this sports guy to see footballs in the air once again, the Hawks were hard at work, its first game less than three weeks away.
Second-year coach Jereme Jones has a nest full of talent which promises to put Hampton among the contenders this year.
Last season was a breakout one for Hampton, its first winning season and playoff appearance since 2010. It was the first time the Hawks qualified for the state playoffs as a six-man team, which Hampton joined in 2016.
The Hawks played for a district championship and despite falling short, it was another long drought snapped.
Even though the Hawks were bounced from the playoffs in the opening round aganist Red Cloud last year, that sour taste remains and loftier goals are left for 2023.
And boy, does Hampton have the birds to do it this season.
Nearly all of its roster returns for 2023 with a couple incoming freshmen. And to be honest, I’m not sure where to start.
My guy Evan “Pancake” Pankoke is a senior returning all-state selection from last season and was a bully in more ways than one.
When he touched the ball offensively, Pankoke was hard to bring down, carrying the ball 74 times for 581 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Junior Jack Bullis became Hampton’s 12th player in school history to rush for 1,000 yards last season, collecting 1,073 yards on 137 carries and 18 rushing scores. Bullis was also an honorable mention all-state player.
Hampton’s third returning all-state player is Bryce Joseph, who made a name for himself defensively, totaling 106 total tackles on the season, nearly 12 per game.
The intrigue comes in with Brayden Dose, who was injured early last season and missed the entire late-season stretch and playoff run.
Dose was Hampton’s signal caller before his injury and in just the short amount of time watching practice Monday, the senior commands the huddle, has the respect of his teammates and holds the entire team accountable.
He throws a pretty ball, too.
Eli Arndt is another senior that the Hawks can put anywhere on the field and have success. He played some quarterback last year after Dose’s injury but is a good runner and has nice hands.
One of Hampton’s brightest talents comes in sophomore Wyatt Dose. He made a big splash last season, wreaking havoc from the defensive end position while also being an asset offensively, someone who’s hard to tackle.
It also looked like he may have had another growth spurt over the summer, and W. Dose was already somene who stood taller than most.
Any good football team has to have some talent inside and the Hawks have that, too, with Korbin Stump.
The fellow senior gives Hampton some stability on the line of scrimmage and has really soft hands for such a big fella.
Don’t forget -- the offensive linemen can catch the football in six-man.
Hampton was 5-3 during the regular season last year and its three regular season losses were close games with the exception of Parkview Christian, who went on to win the D6 state title.
Every one of Hampton’s eight regular season games are winnable. With everyone healthy, the Hawks will be in deep playoff conversation come October.
Last year’s Hampton team was a delightful surprise. This year’s Hawks has expectations, and from what I can tell, everyone in the program has embraced them.
Football is back.
RICHARD RHODEN can be reached at sports@hamilton.net.
