Hampshire finishes strong

HAMPSHIRE -- It might have been a muddy road to victory for Hampshire on Friday, but the Whip-Purs' offensive line and defense paved the way.

The Whip-Purs bullied their way to a sloppy 18-0 Big Northern Conference East Division decision against Marengo to finish their season on a three-game win streak. While the playoffs disappeared from the picture weeks ago for Hampshire (4-5, 3-2 BNC East), the team could still celebrate its late-season rally after starting the year 0-3.

"We just kept working hard during practice," said senior lineman Cooper Smith. "We couldn't stop working hard. We had a real good defensive unit. We just had our best defensive game of the year."

The numbers certainly backed up that statement. In Hampshire's second shutout win of the season the Whip-Purs held Marengo to less than 100 yards of total offense and only one pass reception for a loss. The Indians (2-7, 0-5) recorded only one play of more than 10 yards.

Ron Laramie rushed for a pair of first-half touchdowns as Hampshire led 12-0 at the intermission. Laramie finished with a game-high 139 rushing yards added a 9-yard reception.

"We told them beforehand in these conditions it was going to begin and end up front in the lines," Whip-Purs coach Dan Cavanaugh said. "It was a slugfest on both sides, but we made some big plays when we had to make them."

One of those big plays came in the second half when Ray Quesada broke a 48-yard touchdown run to all but cement Hampshire's win.

"I almost thought (the defender) had me there at the end," Quesada said. "I just kept going. I had a good block up front by Cody Ackmann. It was a good run. I'm glad I was here to play, that I showed up and did well. I had no idea it was going to happen."

The win capped a run that took the sting out of missing the postseason and Hampshire's first losing season since 2003.

"It wasn't a pretty game. I'm just glad our kids hung tough," Cavanaugh said. "We started the year tough but our guys just kept going. It's a testament to our senior leadership to finish up with three wins and have a nice night like this."

Added senior quarterback Ryan Burke: "We all knew it was senior night and wanted to play together one last time and do our best. It feels great, but I'm sad it's over. It's definitely good knowing we turned our season around. It's a great way to go away on this streak."

HAMPSHIRE 18, MARENGO 0

Marengo        0    0    0    0   --   0

Hampshire     6    6     0     6  --  18

SCORING

HAMP -- Laramie 12 run (run failed)

HAMP -- Laramie 1 run (run failed)

HAMP -- Quesada 58 run (pass failed)

TEAM STATISTICS        MAR         HAMP

Comp-att.-int.                      1-11-1         1-4-0

Passing Yards                         -1                 9

Rush att-yds.                         33-95        42-250

Total Yards                            94               259

Fumbles-lost                          1-1               1-0

Individual statistics

Rushing

Marengo: Gaines 17-36, Diedrick 8-20, Botzoc 3-25, Carlson 5-14.

Hampshire: Laramie 25-139, Sabate 5-61, Quesada 1-48, Kuefner 1-9, Kendrick 4-8, Lundry 3-4, Burke 3-(-19).

Passing

Marengo: Diedrick 1-11-1 (-1).

Hampshire: Burke 1-4-0 9.

Receiving

Marengo: Gaines 1-(-1).

Hampshire: Laramie 1-9.