Double-teams on Monroe's Messiah Hampton helps teammates' breakout games

ROCHESTER — James Monroe junior Messiah Hampton didn't have to do much during the Red Jackets' statement 42-14 win over visiting Section VI's Clarence Saturday afternoon.

Hampton's presence was still felt, however. Clarence experimented with bracket coverages to slow down New York state's No. 1 receiver prospect who's received offers from Michigan, Ohio State, Syracuse and countless other Power Five schools.

Hampton had five touches for 87 yards rushing and receiving. He reached the end zone on a pair of two-point conversions. The most impressive was a screen pass he took up the sideline and biked through many Clarence defenders for one successful two-point try. Hampton's other two-point conversion came on a running play.

With an extra defensive back on Hampton, Raymond Garcia popped out with a two-touchdown performance, while Nasir Kelly and Luis Falu each caught a touchdown pass.

"We practice how we play, and we train how we play. ... If they double teamed or whatever I knew they were going to make plays," Hampton said.

More: Monroe overwhelms Section VI's Clarence: Section V football's top games from Saturday

— Marquel Slaughter is a journalist for the Democrat and Chronicle, specializing in high school sports. He won numerous Associated Press and NYNPA awards for his work in print and broadcasting throughout his 15-year career as a reporter. Follow him @MarquelSports and X and Instagram. You can email him at mslaughter1@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Double-teams on Monroe's Messiah Hampton helps teammates' breakout games