Hampton hopes to continue MEAC upswing with swarming defense

HAMPTON, Virginia -- Brendan Cole and Steven Smith are determined to end their Hampton careers by keeping the Pirates on an upward trend.

Following a string of losing seasons, both overall and in the MEAC, Hampton finished 5-3 in conference the past two years.

“We took a big step last year in leadership,” said Cole, a safety and grad student. “The year before we had our first winning season in about three years, so we built off that. Now we’re trying to take that next step, which is just togetherness.”

The defense, which ranked second in the MEAC in yards allowed in 2016, returns most of its starters. Cole and Smith – a senior linebacker and former Salem High standout – anchor the swarming D.

“We fly around and everybody runs to the ball,” Smith said. “Hustle, determination and not giving up.”

While both offense and defense finished in the top five in nearly every category, Smith believes the two weren’t synced in enough games to top the team standings.

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