Oregon signee Messiah Hampton leads New York high school football team to first-ever state title

James Monroe (Rochester, NY) had never won a New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) football state championship in program history. All of that changed this past weekend when the Red Jackets defeated Sleepy Hollow, 34-0, for the NYSPHSAA Class B state championship at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse.

Leading the way for James Monroe was Oregon signee Messiah Hampton, who hauled in six passes for 145 yards and a touchdown in the victory.

Hampton finished the 2025 season for the Red Jackets hauling in 62 passes for 1,224 yards and 13 touchdowns. The senior wide receiver was also utilized in the ground game at James Monroe, rushing for 289 yards on 12 attempts and finding the endzone four times.

Here’s what Rivals’ Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power has to say about Hampton.

“Messiah Hampton delivered a sensational performance at Under Armour Miami. Making the trek to South Florida from Rochester, New York, Hampton proved unguardable all afternoon. At 6-foot-1, 180 pounds with plus length, Hampton pairs his translatable size with advanced technical skills. He was dominant during 1-on-1’s showing the ability to win at levels of the field while winning the vast majority, if not all of his reps. We saw him separate vertically, showing top-end speed and the ability to tempo his routes.

He later shook a Power 4 cornerback prospect with a nasty out-breaking comeback route. The play speed and slick routes combined with excellent ball skills. Hampton consistently framed his catches away from his body and tracked the ball effortlessly over his shoulder. He also showed the ability to fight through contact at the catch point. It’s not every day we see a prospect from upstate New York come down to South Florida and dominate, but the On3 Outlier left little doubt he was the On3 MVP by day’s end.”

How to Follow New York High School Football

For New York high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Empire State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the New York high school football excitement across the state.