Luke Hammond Davenport Year: Junior Sport: Football Position: Te/Lb

Everything came Luke Hammond’s way last Saturday at Quincy.

A second-quarter pass intended for an Oroville receiver nestled into Hammond’s hands. Hammond returned the interception 30 yards for a touchdown and 7-0 Davenport lead.

Still in the second quarter, with Davenport leading the State B-11 semifinal 14-7, Travis Telecky of the Gorillas sent a halfback pass in Hammond’s direction. Cory Howe of the Hornets, the state’s all-time interception leader, tipped the pass but right into Hammond’s hands for a 15-yard score.

“The ball was coming up short and I saw a guy tip it in the air,” said the 6-foot, 190-pounder. “There was nothing really to it.”

But the one thing that came Hammond’s way and made the biggest impression was Oroville’s Braxton Cleman. The sophomore running back, who entered the game with 27 TDs and nearly 1,400 yards, met up with Hammond on a third-and-1 in the first half.

“I stepped to the hole and stuffed it,” said Hammond, failing to mention that he first took the blocking back out of the play.

A 28-23 win came Davenport’s way and the Gorillas meet Tacoma Baptist Saturday in the Tacoma Dome in the first football title game for both.

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