Hampton eager for new faces, facilities in 2026

HAMPTON — The Hampton Bulldog football program is nearly home for good. After seeing J.C. Campbell Stadium and the rest of the Hampton High campus ravaged from storm damage in Sept. 2024, the rebuilding efforts are nearly complete for the 2026 football season. The Bulldogs' new stadium is set to feature a turf surface, a brand-new locker room and track, and new stands. Head coach Michael Lunsford says the program has been eagerly awaiting its completion throughout the summer, with hopes of it being ready for an early September matchup against Sunbright. "We're chomping at the bit to get it all done," Lunsford said at Hampton's late-July media day. "We all want it done yesterday. Just got to have a little patience, waiting for it to get done. But everyday you drive by and see a little progress and it's that much more exciting…Very thankful to be back home." Not only will Hampton's home-field be new, but the team will be featuring plenty of new faces to go with it. Most notably, Bryson Blevins will be taking over as the team's starting quarterback following the graduation of Connor McKinney. Blevins, a 5-foot-10 sophomore, transferred to Hampton from Elizabethton over the offseason. "Bryson is very smart," Lunsford said. "He'll get you in the right situation. He's already making audibles. Going from run to pass, pass to run. Been able to change plays and get us in the right thing. And he's got all the tools to make all the throws and do all the things in terms of playing the quarterback position. Super heady, super smart. Played the position for a long time. A really good piece to have as a leader for the next three years." Surrounding Blevins, Hampton is expected to be led by a mix of returners and new names. In the backfield, seniors Landon Buchannan and Brody Lambert will be back in bigger roles than a year ago with the departure of leading rushers Isaiah Belcher and Peyton Townsend. Eli Tester, a senior who transferred from Johnson County, is also expected to play a large role on the Bulldog offense. Out wide, junior Kaden Jones returns to form a strong receiving duo with Mitchell County transfer, junior Logan Hughes. "Both of those guys are over 6-feet tall," Lunsford said. "Got speed, got really good hands." The spot where the Bulldogs return the most is in the trenches. Senior Dylan Campbell, junior Kayden Stout, senior Braxton Arnold, senior Ethan Heaton, junior River "Bubble" Gill, and sophomore Dylan Lamb all saw varsity action for Hampton last year. With the veteran presence up front, Lunsford believes the biggest indicator of success will be an ability to be multiple on offense. "I think one thing that'll be different for us this year than years in the past is I do think we've got the weapons on the outside and we've got the quarterback to actually throw the football and do some things you don't always see Hampton do," he said. "We're still going to be Hampton. We're still going to have the power game and we're still going to be able to do that stuff. But to be able to do both and make other teams pick their poison, I think that'll be advantageous to us." The Bulldogs will open the season on Aug. 21 on the road against Avery County (N.C.), as they look to repeat as Region 1-1A champions.