Hampshire loses shootout to DeKalb

DeKALB - Friday night's Class 6A opening round playoff game between Hampshire and DeKalb could have also qualified as a track meet as both teams stormed up and down the Barbs' field turf.

Despite a sensational effort from Whip-Purs junior quarterback Jake Vincent, who threw for 351 yards and 5 touchdowns, all to junior wideout Jared Hornbeck, DeKalb came away with a 57-44 victory as the two teams combined for over 1,000 yards of offense.

Barbs' junior quarterback Derek Kyler was equally impressive as he ran for 4 touchdowns and threw for 3 more while the DeKalb defense came up with three key turnovers.

"A couple of turnovers cost us," said Hampshire coach Mike Brasile. "When you get into a shootout like this someone is going to make a mistake and blink and unfortunately it was us tonight."

"Both offenses really came out to play tonight," Hornbeck said, as he racked up 219 yards receiving on 11 catches. "I wanted to get the seniors the win and we tried everything we could, but it just wasn't enough."

The action was fast and furious in a 71-point first half and the Whip-Purs (6-4) had the better of it early on.

After DeKalb (8-2) scored on its opening drive, Hampshire responded with 3 of the next 4 touchdowns to take a 21-12 lead.

Jared Lund raced 53 yards up the middle for the Whip-Purs' first score and an incredible one-handed grab for 34 yards by Xavier Bennett led to Hornbeck's 10-yard TD reception.

Two drives later, Hornbeck took a screen and broke numerous tackles down the right sideline on an impressive 77-yard touchdown catch and run to end the first quarter.

The second quarter belonged to DeKalb as Kyler ran for an 8-yard score and the Whip-Purs fumbled two plays later at midfield. Kyler put the Barbs in front at 26-21 with a 1-yard keeper with 8:08 left in the half.

Hampshire took its last lead at 28-26 with 2:49 left after an impressive 15-play, 77-yard drive, capped by an 8-yard slant to Hornbeck.

Luke Davis III hauled in a 37-yard touchdown for the Barbs less than a minute latter, then Cole Tucker added a 40-yard TD reception with 37 seconds left in the half.

The Barbs tallied 10 points in the opening 5 minutes of the second half for a 50-31 lead after a Whip-Purs punt and interception.

Hornbeck capped an incredible night with touchdown grabs from 27 and 12 yards out, but the Barbs were able to grind down the clock behind David Long, who had 162 rushing yards on 26 carries.

"We put up 44 points, so there's not much more we could do," Vincent said. "I've grown up with these seniors since I was five, so it's tough."

Bennett had 8 receptions for 88 yards and Lund finished with 86 yards on 12 carries as Hampshire racked 495 yards of total offense.

"This group and these seniors - they don't know how to quit and that's what they did until the end," Brasile said. "That's what football is all about."

DeKalb finished with 315 yards rushing and 233 through the air.

"DeKalb has a real quality team and hats off to them for what they were able to accomplish," Brasile said.

With Vincent and Hornbeck coming back next season, the Whip-Purs' offense should be in good hands.

"Jared's my best friend and we're like brothers," Vincent said. "We have another year together, so we're going to start preparing tomorrow."