Darlington has secret weapon with Hampton

Darlington pulled off the biggest win in Justin Danner’s three seasons with a 41-0 defeat over South Florence last Friday.  The Falcons had a secret weapon - a player who transferred to Darlington from one of the most storied football programs in the Carolinas, and played his first game Friday. 

Victor Hampton is not a secret anymore.  Hampton joined the team last Tuesday, and scored in his first game Friday against the Bruins.  He left football powerhouse Independence to move in with his mentor in Darlington.

“I moved down here to better myself,“ said Hampton. “And to get my grades right.“

But the football did not come as quickly as planned.  His guardian papers were rejected, and he could not play or practice with the Falcons.

That was until last week, when an appeal was granted.

“He’s been a good kid,“ said Darlington head coach Justin Danner. “He was down and out when he couldn’t play, but he stayed close to the players and he’s fit right in.“

Hampton is not your typical transfer.  The running back and cornerback verbally committed to play at Florida.  The transfer has caused some issues with that commitment - Hampton says that the Gator coaching staff has stopped answering or returning his calls.  So he’s opened the recruiting process back up, and visited South Carolina last Thursday for the Ole Miss game.

Hampton says the transfer from Independence to Darlington has not been hard -  “The only real difference is that in Charlotte we lifted weights everyday.  But there the talent of the players is the same, the intelligence of the coaches is the same, really it’s not all that different.“

“I’ve been accepted,“ added Hampton. “The players have welcomed me here to try to help them win some ball games.  Everything is perfect right now.“

Darlington is happy to have a playmaker.  After winning two games in Danner’s first two seasons, the Falcons are on a two-game win streak, as they try to get the first region victory in the Danner era.  That might not come this week against state title contender Marlboro County, but it may come soon.

And a big key has been their new secret weapon.