Sampson Middle Schools boys ended their season Thursday much the same way they did last year — with a win and another perfect season.

The young Dark Horses defeated Union Middle 64-24 to finish out the season at 12-0 and to wrap up a two-year, 24-game winning streak.

“These guys played what was probably their best game of the year Thursday. On defense, they buckled down and took care of business, and on offense they were on fire, with everyone contributing and everyone getting equal amounts of playing time. As a coach, when you can do that you know you’re having a good season.”

In Thursday’s game, Union held their own with the more athletic Sampson team, behind only 8, 14-6, after one quarter. But Sampson poured on the power in the second quarter, extending their lead to 30-14 at the half.

The Horses utilized strong defense to hold the Spartans to only 4 points in the third quarter while opening up opportunities for the offense. By quarter’s end the score was 50-18.

“It was a good game,” Davis said. In fact, the Sampson coach said he thought the entire season had been a good one, as he watched his young team grow.

“We are seeing some quality players coming through our program. We were a really young team this year, having lost so many after last season. But everyone stepped up and contributed.”

Davis praised his eighth-graders for great leadership throughout the year, and his seventh-graders for the way they had grown.

This year, Sampson will lose six of his 15 players, but he said there were some quality sixth-graders ready to step into place and fill the void.

“We’ve had some good teams for the past few years, building our programs from the ground up. The fact that our JV team went 21-2 tells you a lot about the kind of talent we have. These young people are buying into what we want them to do and because of it we are building a strong program.

“I’m so proud of these guys,” said coach Ron Davis. “It’s been an honor to coach them.”

Davis also tipped his hat to the middle school administration, parents and Dark Horse fans who, he said, had been very supportive all season.

“They been great all season and we appreciate it very much,” Davis stressed.