Ables: No pressure for Hampton

England wide receiver Marc Westbrook (17) has 55 receptions for 1,096 yards and 13 touchdowns this season entering Friday’s Class 2A semifinal game at Hampton.
England wide receiver Marc Westbrook (17) has 55 receptions for 1,096 yards and 13 touchdowns this season entering Friday’s Class 2A semifinal game at Hampton.

Hampton Coach Wes Ables is selling his team as an underdog Friday night against England in the Class 2A semifinals.

Both Hampton (12-0) and England (13-0) are undefeated, but Ables said his Bulldogs -- who did not field a team in 2015 because of low numbers -- are more than capable of knocking off the top team in Class 2A throughout the 2016 season.

Class 2A semifinals

England at Hampton

WHEN 7 p.m. Friday

WHERE Boyd Arnold Stadium, Hampton

RECORDS England 13-0 (No. 1 seed, 5-2A); Hampton 12-0 (No. 1 seed, 8-2A)

RANKINGS England No. 1 in Class 2A; Hampton No. 2 in Class 2A

"Everybody crowned them the state champions before the season started," Ables said of England. "We don't have any pressure on us."

Hampton hosts England in the Class 2A semifinals Friday night, with the winner facing Mount Ida or Camden Harmony Grove in the Class 2A state championship game Dec. 10.

The Bulldogs have been one of the state's most surprising teams, with the addition of former Hermitage star Monta Thomas at quarterback. The all-purpose Thomas has rushed for 1,753 yards and 33 touchdowns and has passed for 556 yards and 9 scores.

England Coach Terry Farmer has high praise for Thomas.

"You're not going to stop him, that's for sure," Farmer said.

It's also been a difficult season off the field for the Bulldogs, with the death of offensive line coach Jorre McMahan on Sept. 27 and the hospitalization of defensive coordinator Brandon Austin before Hampton's Class 2A second-round game Nov. 18 against Foreman because of chest pains. Austin returned to the sidelines last Friday at Des Arc.

"This group of young men has overcome a lot of adversity," Ables said. "These kids are fighters. They never quit. They never give up. No matter what happens in a ballgame, we'll play hard for four quarters."

In a quarterfinal game last Friday, Hampton won at Des Arc 34-14 behind Thomas' three touchdowns. Thomas scored on a 52-yard punt return and runs of 1 and 32 yards.

England earned a 50-22 victory over Earle. The Lions trailed 22-21 early in the second half, but they scored the game's final 29 points. Senior quarterback Brayden Brazeal completed 12 of 20 passes for 208 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Brazeal has completed 189 of 272 passes for 3,548 yards with 46 touchdowns and 4 interceptions this season.

"We go as he goes," Farmer said.

Brazeal is surrounded by one of the most talented offensive groups in Class 2A.

Malik Coleman, a senior, leads the Lions in rushing with 1,177 yards and 16 touchdowns on 142 carries. At wide receiver, senior Marc Westbrook has caught 55 passes for 1,096 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Senior B.J. Thompson, who injured his shoulder earlier this month, has 33 receptions for 548 yards and 10 touchdowns at tight end. Thompson also has 29 tackles, including 16½ for a loss, and 7½ sacks at defensive back.

Ables said his team has a big task ahead of it Friday against the Lions.

"We have to score points," Ables said. "They're really good offensively. We have to be able to match them. We have to take care of the football. We've done that all year."

England was 13-0 last season before losing to Rison in the state semifinals, falling one game short of the Class 2A state championship game. Farmer said he doesn't have to explain to his players their situation this week.

"The kids know the magnitude of what's going on," Farmer said.

Sports on 11/30/2016

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