For 43 years, Mark Higgs has held Owensboro football’s record for rushing yards in a game with 324, a milestone that at times seemed unreachable. Looking to help power his team to a 5A semi-finals appearance, Evan Hampton exploded for five touchdowns and 326 yards on only 19 carries in a 41-7 win over Fairdale.
“Everything felt really open, and that is just a testament to the execution up front and the receivers blocking,” Hampton said. “I knew, based on the first play off the game when we threw the deep ball to King, that the offense was going to be open all night. We just went out there, executed, and did what we did. We fight to see another day.”
Fairdale wasted no time going on the offensive, kicking and recovering an onsides attempt to start the game. A few plays later they found themselves facing fourth and four on the 31, but Kalil Shemwell beat his man in the air for an interception.
One play later, DaMarcus Ganaway Jr. found his favorite receiver, Kingston Dillard over the middle for a 90-yard touchdown. From there, it became the Hampton show, with the senior scoring the next five touchdowns.
He started his scoring spree with a five-yard run and on the following drive found the endzone from four yards out. In the second quarter, he showcased his game breaking acceleration, scoring from 57 and 53 yards out.
The Bulldogs received the ball at halftime, and their drive took up the entire third quarter, but culminated in a turnover on downs at the Red Devils’ 20. A few plays later, Hampton found a hole and took it 69 yards to the house for a 41-0 lead.
“On all three of the long runs, we ran the same run play,” Hampton said. “I knew once I broke free, it was just kind of game on. When the ball gets in your hands, I think anybody can attest to this, you kind of blackout and just play football.”
In the final minutes, Fairdale found the endzone to prevent the shutout on a 75-yard rushing touchdown by DyMetrius Taylor.
Owensboro will host Woodford County next Friday, who are fresh off a 45-31 win over Scott County.
“They are a good football program,” Owensboro Head Coach DaMarcus Ganaway said. “I think they have all of the tools, just as we do. They are dynamic, explosive, and they’re big too. We have to play our best again at the line of scrimmage.”
