Hanceville's R.J. Evans slices through the Good Hope defense during the first half of the Bulldogs' 32-13 win.

GOOD HOPE — B.J. Smalls had one simple goal entering Friday night’s county clash against the Raiders.

Win. And do so convincingly.

The longtime Hanceville running back made good on his internal promise, rushing for 146 yards and three touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ 32-13 victory over Good Hope inside James W. Shabel Stadium.

Not too bad for the senior’s final outing in a Purple and Gold uniform.

“This was it for us,” Smalls said. “We were going to end it strong. There was no way we were losing this game. We weren’t letting them beat us. Not tonight. No, sir. This was really a very special game for me.”

The offensive fireworks began in the second quarter, when Hanceville quarterback Alex Campbell capped off a solid scoring drive with a play-action pass up the seam to R.J. Evans for a 40-yard touchdown.

Good Hope answered right back on the next play from scrimmage with a 65-yard touchdown run by Cameron Twilley to tie it up at 6-6.

The Bulldogs, however, were unfazed.

Campbell delivered another play-action beauty to Kaine Yates for a 15-yard scoring toss on the ensuing possession. He then picked off a pass from Raider quarterback Matt Hancock that eventually set up an 18-yard scoring scamper from Smalls two plays later.

The late touchdown — which handed the Purple and Gold an 18-6 halftime lead — was set up by a spectacular 30-yard catch by Tre Martin.

“It just felt good to play for my team and make those plays,” Campbell said. “It’s really big for us. They beat us back in middle school for that county championship. It was nice to come out and beat them tonight.”

Good Hope found some quick momentum in the third quarter, recovering an onside kick and bulling it into the end zone on a Preston Bagwell jaunt from 3 yards out two plays later. Twilley preceded the score with a 49-yard dash.

In the end, though, Smalls was simply too hungry.

He recorded touchdowns of 44 and 11 yards on back-to-back Hanceville possessions to close out the frame — and ultimately the win. Teammates Romael Simmons (60 yards) and R.J. Evans (59 yards) supplemented the Bulldog rushing attack throughout the night.

“It all starts with the linemen,” Smalls said. “Without them, there’s no touchdowns and no yardage for us. There was some extra energy in practice. That group, I can’t explain it. But we knew this night was going to be special.”

While Hanceville’s offense certainly had its moments, the defense was really something.

The tenacious unit held Good Hope to just 162 yards on 34 plays. Take out Twilley’s two long runs and that total drops to 48 yards.

That performance had coach Craig Flanigan grinning from ear to ear after the game.

“Coach (Michael) Chandler and the defensive staff did a great job,” he said. “I couldn’t ask for any better than what they did tonight. Our offensive line had a great night, too. I’m just really proud of our kids and our coaches. We’re Hanceville. We’re working hard to get back to what we’re about. They just really put together a great game tonight.”

Campbell finished the night 8-of-9 passing for 150 yards and two scores. The Bulldogs picked up 433 total yards of offense, including 283 rushing.

Smalls, Evans and Simmons were strong throughout the night, while Yates had 67 total yards and made numerous plays on defense.

Evans, Martin, Smalls and Brendan Flanigan each caught a pass in the victory.

“I trust my teammates to make plays,” said Campbell, a sophomore. “It’s one of those things where everybody has to contribute if we want to win.”

With the loss, Good Hope finishes 0-10 for the first time since 1995.

Twilley ended his night with 117 yards on four touches. Hancock added 32 total yards.

For Alan Scott, the outcome and the season wasn’t what he had in mind entering his second year atop the program.

Having said that, the second coach couldn’t be more proud of his team.

“I love these guys,” he said. “They’ve worked extremely hard. I’m disappointed in the way things have turned out, but that’s on me as head coach. We’ll go back and look at some things and make sure we’re putting these guys in the right spots to be successful and play their best.

“Hanceville has struggled at times like we have this year, but they put together a good gameplan, ran the ball hard and made the big plays to win.”

For Flanigan, Friday’s victory will hopefully put some pep in the program’s step as it gears up for its first full offseason with their rookie coach.

As a departing gift, he profusely thanked his seniors for laying the first brick in a hopefully blossoming path.

“It’s going to help us moving forward,” he said. “Those guys set a great foundation for us. I can’t thank them enough for trusting me to come in and really try to get this turned around. It was a disappointing year, but the future at Hanceville is bright.”

On the flip side, Smalls will have to turn over a new leaf and flip to new chapter now that his career on the gridiron is done.

Despite the bittersweet emotions, the Purple and Gold superstar won’t stop reflecting on this night anytime soon.

“This was my last chance to spend time with the people I love, my brothers,” he said. “And I love them, man. They’ve got so much talent and so much will. They’ve fought alongside me all year. I’m telling you, next year and the year after is going to be amazing for this program.”