A relentless Bethel High School defense ended Hampton's 14-year run of Peninsula District football titles, sparking the unbeaten Bruins to a 9-3 victory and the 1991 championship Friday night.
A standing room-only crowd in excess of 10,000 at Darling Stadium saw Bethel combine blitzing tactics to pressure Hampton quarterback Fred Brown and aggressive pass defense to settle the battle of unbeaten teams.
Allen Iverson's 25-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Kelly Rodgers broke a 3-3 deadlock with 4:57 left in the third period.
The Bethel defense, which held Hampton without a touchdown for the first time in 38 games, snuffed two later Hampton drives in Bruin territory.
The Crabbers (9-1 district, 8-1 overall) threatened a third time, but couldn't beat the clock as time expired with them on the Bethel 10.
''We were determined to put pressure on Brown because he hurt us so much throwing the ball last year,'' Bethel coach Dennis Kozlowski said. ''We did that with the combination of blitzes and excellent coverage by the secondary. Coach Skip Bouchard did an excellent job of mixing the coverages.''
Both teams advance to next Friday's Eastern Region playoffs, Bethel as the second-seeded team in Division 5 and Hampton as the third-seeded squad in Division 6.
Bethel (10-0, 9-0) will host either Indian River or Norcom of the Southeastern District, depending on the outcome of today's Norcom-Cradock game. Norcom (8-1) will face the Bruins if it wins today.
Hampton will play Eastern District champion Granby (5-5) in Norfolk.
''Time didn't run out on us,'' Hampton coach Mike Smith said. ''We had a whole game to get it in and we didn't. They played well and we were unable to move the ball like we thought we would. We played well defensively, but just didn't get it done on offense.''
Linebacker Tim Johnson was the catalyst of Bethel's defensive success. His numerous blitzes helped pressure Brown into a season-high three interceptions, two by Brian Bean.
Johnson's biggest play was tackling Bryan Milo for a 1-yard loss on a third-and-goal situation at the Bethel 1 with just more than two minutes left in the first half. Hampton settled for Pat Welch's tying field goal on fourth down.
''Johnson got great penetration on that play,'' Kozlowski said. ''Defensive guard Rodney Epperly was responsible for stopping Adam Dunbar for no gain on the preceding play.''
Iverson's decisive touchdown pass to Rodgers came on a second-and-10 situation at Hampton's 25.
''It's a play we had success with early in the season where Iverson fakes to the fullback inside and goes to Rodgers down the sideline,'' Kozlowski said.
''Kelly made a great catch on the ball.''
It was Rodgers' eighth touchdown reception in the last five games.
''Walter Ford had good coverage on him on the touchdown,'' Smith said. Rodgers ''just made a good move on the ball.''
The Bruins played without two key players - leading rusher Steve Rimpsey, who was out with an injury, and guard-linebacker Kareem Woods, who was serving a one-game suspension due to his ejection from last week's Lafayette game.
Shelly Ellison, Hampton's season-leading rusher, returned to the starting lineup after a one-game absence with a dislocated shoulder.
He edged Iverson for game rushing honors with 64 yards on 21 attempts. Iverson totaled 60 yards on nine carries.
Bethel scored the game's first points, on the first field goal of senior Darryl Coffie's career from 28 yards with 9:02 left in the second quarter.
Iverson's fourth-down completion for 9 yards to Marlon Anderson for a first down at the Hampton 19 was the key play of drive.
Hampton's field goal was set up when Bean fumbled at Bethel's 15 after intercepting a Brown pass at the 11.
''There were some miscues, but it was an excellent football game,'' Kozlowski said.
BETHEL 9, HAMPTON 3
blitzes 在 blitz中文(繁體)翻譯：劍橋詞典 的相關結果
blitz noun [C] (ATTACK). a fast, violent attack on a town, city, etc., usually with bombs dropped from aircraft. ... <看更多>