Dukes Open Season With A Win

Dukes Open Season With A Win
By David Gravely

The 2010 season got off to a wild start for Dublin Middle School on Thursday, as the Dukes were forced to come from behind in the final three minutes of the game to win 22-20 at Dublin's Soldiers Field.

The game got underway with Giles successfully executing an onsides kick.  The Spartans then marched down the field using their long used Single Wing offense to grind out yardage.  Giles got on the scoreboad first with a short touchdown run, but the extra point was denied by the Dukes.  Dublin answered immediately, when on the very first play from scrimmage Malik Eaves took the ball around the left side of the offensive line and went 75 yards untouched into the endzone.   Fullback Jake Callahan ran the ball into the endzone for the two point conversion.

After holding the Spartans in check on their next drive, the Dukes began a long drive of their own.  Callahan finished the drive off when he ran over a Giles defender on the right side of the line and went into the endzone from two yards out.   After a blocking in the back penalty on the two point attempt forced the Dukes back ten yards, the score remained 14-6 Dublin.

Just before the end of the half the Spartans were able to break off several long runs to move into scoring position.  With under a minute left in the second quarter Giles scored from eight yards out, and then were able to score the two point conversion to end the half tied at 14-14.

The toughest thing about defending the single wing is simply getting the offense off the field, as the Dukes quickly found out.  Giles started the second half with the ball, and drove the length of the field before finally scoring just before the end of the quarter.  The extra point attempt was no good, putting the Spartans up 20-14.  On Dublins next possesion there was a problem with the option pitch from Jesse Draper to Malik Eaves, and Giles recovered the ball inside Dublin territory.  The Spartans drove the ball towards the Dukes goal line, before finally being stopped on fourth and goal at the two yard line. 

The stop seemed to bring new life to the Dukes, who came out re energized but 98 yards away from a game tying score.  On first down Elijah Booth took the ball around the left side of the line on a sweep for a Dukes first down.  Malik Eaves took the ball to the right side of the field looking for daylight on the next play, but was quickly cornered by a tough Giles defense.  With just over two minutes left in the contest, Eaves lined up in the shotgun.  At the snap he drop back, avoided a tackle, and then put the ball over the outstretched hands of two Giles linemen towards the center of the field.  Jesse Draper ran right under the ball and after a one handed grab headed 78 yards to paydirt.  Eaves took the ball off the right side of the line and headed towards the corner of the endzone, diving through three Giles players to score the two point conversion and put the Dukes up 22-20.

After receiving the kickoff, Giles got to work in an attempt to move into scoring position.  The Dukes held for three downs, but then the Giles quarterback got off a pass to an open receiver for a first down.  On the next play Giles gained five yards, moving them to around the 50 yard line, and called a timeout.  With 15 seconds left on the clock the Spartan quarterback dropped back and sent the ball sailing to what appeared to be an open receiver.  Eaves came in at the last second in an attempt to intercept the pass, but missed it and the receiver caught the ball and headed to the endzone.  Elliot Brewster came in and to hammer the ball carrier, sending the ball loose on the ground, and Levi Clark recovered the fumble for the Dukes.   Draper took a knee with three seconds left on the clock, and the game ended with the final score of 22-20.

The Dukes will be back in action on Thursday, September 2 when the host Blacksburg Middle School.  Kickoff is set for 5 pm.