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IRONTON — 2007 was a long time ago.
In fact, over half of Rock Hill’s football roster was either just being born or weren’t born just yet. It was also the last time the Redmen had won seven games in a season.
Until Friday.
Behind a dominant rushing performance from, namely, Anthony Stamper, the Redmen (7-2, 3-2 OVC) clinched a playoff spot with a 60-49 shootout win over Chesapeake in league action.
CREDIT: Sam Walsh/SOSA
“We were really focused and very hyped up coming into the game,” Rock Hill’s Drew Schug said. “Our minds were right, we fed off of momentum and we played a great game.”
Stamper has been the driving force behind the Redmen’ resurgence this season, and the senior tailback continued his output to the detriment of the Panthers.
With one bruising run after another, it was clear that he was the most impactful player on the field as he found the end zone on five different occasions, giving him 22 scores on the year … and counting.
“It’s such an honor getting to block for this guy and watch him spring free into the open field,” Schug said of Stamper. “We’re definitely blessed to have him in our program. I’ve grown up with him, he’s one of my best friends and it’s awesome.”
Both teams spent the first quarter trading scores.
Rock Hill scored on a one-yard plunge from Dallin Cox and on a 13-yard score from Stamper. Meanwhile, Chesapeake (5-4, 2-3 OVC) found the end zone on a six-yard touchdown pass from Jacob Harris to Ethan Kerns, and on a one-yard score from Drew Plantz for a 14-14 tally.
Cox found the end zone again on a one-yard score, and that’s when Rock Hill’s defense came through. Chesapeake was forced to punt, but the Redmen blocked the kick to set themselves up in Panther territory.
PHOTOS: Images from Rock Hill’s win over Chesapeake
Brody Simpkins cashed in on the turnover and capped the scoring drive with a one-yard score to make it 28-14, a score that remained at halftime.
Beginning the second half, Chesapeake attempted to cut into the deficit, but it mishandled a snap on a punt attempt to give Rock Hill excellent field position again.
That began the start of the Stamper show.
He found the end zone on the next four Redmen drives, including one that started after he intercepted a pass attempt.
Chesapeake attempted to keep up, tallying an 86-yard kickoff return from Plantz, three touchdowns passes to Kerns and Andrew Isaacs, and a four-yard run from Isaacs, but the hole the Panthers had dug was simply too deep to climb out of as the Redmen celebrated a victory.
Statistically, Stamper rushed 26 times for 216 yards alongside five touchdowns. Coming into the game, he needed 195 yards rushing to break the school’s single-season record, set by K.C. Christian. He now holds the new record with 1,398 yards.
“We’ve come a long way in terms of our blocking schemes considering its new to the kids. It’s been a lot of stress all year with the offensive line and they did such a great job blocking and recognizing where the double team needs to be,” Rock Hill coach Tony Love said. “It also helps to have a great running back like Stamper, who is such a dynamic player that makes a lot of people look really good. He’s a phenomenal kid who works harder than anybody.”
Rock Hill ends its regular season on Friday at Coal Grove while Chesapeake travels to Fairland for a matchup with the Dragons.
“We knew it was going to be a complete four quarter game and we came out playing assignment football,” Stamper said. “We weren’t all there defensively, but we’ll correct some things and be ready by next week.”
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