The Hampton-Dumont-CAL Bulldogs improved to 3-0 in district play Friday night with a 23-20 homecoming win over Denver.
The Bulldogs opened the scoring, driving 64 yards on their first possession before Luke Showalter scored his 12th touchdown of the season. The Cyclones responded with an 84-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to tie the game at 7.
Denver took the lead later in the first quarter on a touchdown run by Jeb Ebaugh to make it 14-7. In the second quarter, the Cyclones extended their lead with a 5-yard touchdown run. The Bulldogs blocked the extra-point attempt, keeping Denver’s lead at 20-7.
On the ensuing drive, Showalter scored his second touchdown of the night on a 21-yard run, pulling the Bulldogs within 20-14 before halftime.
Both offenses were held in check in the third quarter, with Denver maintaining its six-point lead entering the fourth. On Hampton-Dumont-CAL’s first drive of the quarter, quarterback Hunter Rieken connected with Cooper Bird for a 70-yard touchdown. Jesus Flores’ extra-point attempt was blocked, leaving the game tied at 20.
With little time remaining in regulation, the Bulldogs started a drive at their own 20-yard line. With seconds remaining, Flores connected on a 22-yard field goal as time expired to give Hampton-Dumont-CAL a 23-20 homecoming victory.
Head Coach Cole Miller says the Bulldogs showed their composure when the game came down to the final possession.
With the win, the Bulldogs moved into a first-place tie with Dike-New Hartford in Class 2A District 4. Hampton-Dumont-CAL travels to Story City in Week 7 for a matchup with #3 (2A) Roland-Story that carries district title implications. Roland-Story fell to Dike-New Hartford on Friday night, dropping the Norsemen to 2-1 in district play. The Bulldogs are slated to face Dike-New Hartford in Week 8.
