Hampshire plays tough but falls to DeKalb

Hampshire had the answer for almost everything DeKalb threw its way.

The Whip-Purs had rallied from behind twice and hoped to produce a game-winning drive after DeKalb regained the lead with 4 minutes remaining.

Senior quarterback Bryan Roberts gamely attempted to lead the Whip-Purs depleted offense down the field, but was intercepted on the final two drives as host DeKalb secured a 20-14 nonconference victory Friday night.

"I thought we had pretty good momentum at the end and we would come through with it," said Roberts, who threw for 140 yards and added 28 on the ground.

"I thought we fought right with them the whole way. Maybe we were a little worn down at the end," said Hampshire coach Dan Cavanaugh.

Injuries left Hampshire (0-2) short-handed on offense. Lorenzo Brandon left after making a pair of receptions for 47 yards on the Whip-Purs' first scoring drive.

Mike Kuefner (12 carries, 33 yards) was also injured after a big gain late in the third quarter.

DeKalb (2-0) marched 65 yards for a score on its opening drive, capped by Spencer Blank-Jones' 12-yard run.

The Whip-Purs responded with an impressive 9-play, 69-yard scoring drive, with Brandon's key receptions setting up Kuefner's 4-yard touchdown run with 3:01 left in the first quarter. The extra point was blocked.

Justin Heath's interception gave the Whip-Purs possession in DeKalb territory to open the second half, but they turned the ball over on downs.

DeKalb hit a 41-yard pass play as part of a 73-yard scoring drive to lead 14-6 with 4:33 left in the third quarter.

A botched snap on a DeKalb punt attempt put the Whip-Purs back in business at the Barbs' 19-yard-line.

After a Whips' holding penalty, Roberts hit Brendan Waterworth on a 22-yard pass play and Chase Lundry followed with a 7-yard touchdown run. Roberts connected with Nick Holze for the 2-point conversion to tie the score at 14-14.

A key Hampshire offsides on 4th-and-4 kept the Barbs' winning drive alive.

"That penalty makes you pull your hair out, but we had other opportunities. There are other things we need to do and we'll get better," Cavanaugh said.

David Wilson made 5 receptions for 49 yards for the Whip-Purs, who were outgained 274-205.