Visiting Hampshire scored touchdowns on its first four possessions and five of six in the first half and went on to drub Grayslake Central 46-20 on Friday in the Fox Valley Fox opener for both teams.
The Whip-Purs (2-1) piled up more than 300 yards of offense in the first two quarters, led by quarterback Kyle Anderson and running back Phillip LaPointe.
Anderson had seven carries for 91 yards and two TDs in the half, while LaPointe carried nine times for 104 yards and a score. Anderson also completed 3-of-4 passes, good for 85 yards — 58 on a stunning TD strike to Patrick Kuefner following the opening kickoff.
“I was happy with the we approached the first half,” said Hampshire coach Dan Cavanaugh of his team’s 32-7 lead. “We lost a little focus in the second half, and Grayslake played well in the second half, but I was really happy with how we played the first half both offensively and defensively.”
Grayslake Central answered that TD with a 2-yard run by Tyler Gustke, but from there, it was all Whip-Purs.
LaPointe’s 3-yard TD run and Anderson’s 37-yard TD burst made it 20-7 after one quarter, and Anderson and Tyler Crater scored in the second period.
In the second half, Hampshire added TDs by Kuefner on a 75-yard from Anderson and Kuefner tallied on a 62-yard run.
Grayslake Central scored on a 62-yard pass from Alex Lennartz to Casey Adams and on a 62-yard run by Adams.
For the game, Lennartz was 3-of-12 passing for 98 yards, one TD and one interception.
Adams rushed for 72 yards and caught the one TD pass.
For Hampshire, Anderson finished 4-of-6 passing for 160 yards and two TDs. He also rushed 11 times for 92 yards.
LaPointe carried 18 times for 134 yards and a score. As a team, the Whip-Purs rushed for 387 yards, with Crater carrying 16 times for 80 yards.
Hampshire’s ground game just chewed up Grayslake’s defensive front seven.
“We executed well and I thought our guys did a real nice job,” Cavanaugh said. “I’d like to see the stats. It’s nice to see our running game really get going.”
