HAMPTON — Hampton High won its first Peninsula District football title in nine years, but had to work mightily for it in beating rival Bethel 49-35 Thursday at Darling Stadium in one of the most entertaining games the storied rivalry has produced.

The Crabbers (9-1 overall, 8-0 district) appeared to be cruising to a blowout victory early in the third quarter, when diminutive Casey Lassiter (5-foot-5, 140 pounds) gave them a 20-0 lead with his 45-yard touchdown run. Turns out, that was only the first in a series of haymakers the Crabbers and Bruins (6-4, 5-3) threw at each other in a second half that produced remarkable numbers.

In addition to a combined 71 points over the final 24 minutes, the rivals totaled 664 yards in that span. Inevitably individuals thrived, but surprisingly, Bethel

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