Dukes Crush Cavaliers

Dukes Crush Cavaliers
By David Gravely

The Dublin Dukes football team traveled to Carroll County Monday night to face the Cavaliers, and after allowing an early Carroll County score the Dukes roared to life and took over the game, finishing strong with a 36-22 win.  The win moves the Dukes record to 4-2 on the season.

In the first possession of the game the Carroll County Cavaliers were able to drive the ball the length of the field and put the first score of the game on the board, but two point conversion was stopped.  On the first play after the kickoff, Dublin quarterback Jesse Draper handed off to running back Malik Eaves, who took the ball to the right and headed 73 yards for the Dukes touchdown.   Draper passed the ball to fullback Jake Callahan for a successful two point conversion, putting the score at 8-6 in favor of the Dukes.   After the Dublin defense held the Cavaliers and forced a punt, the Dukes offense went back to work with a short field.  Callahan put the Dukes close with an 18 yard run, and then with 36 seconds left in the first quarter Eaves scored his second touchdown of the game on a 20 yard dash to paydirt.  Elijah Booth ran the ball in for the two point conversion, and the Dukes were ahead 16-6.

The second quarter found the Cavaliers showing signs of life again, and on fourth and eight yards to go, the Cavs faked a punt and ran 40 yards for a first down.  On the very next play, Draper came in from his defensive end spot and sacked the Cavalier quarterback, forcing a fumble which he then recovered to put the Dukes back on offense.  With time running down in the second half, the Dukes began to move the ball again.  With 2:21 left in the first half, Draper dropped back and threw a 32 yard pass to Eaves, who then ducked and weaved his way into the endzone.  Another two point conversion pass from Eaves to Callahan put the score at 24-6 in favor of the Dukes, but they weren't ready to call it a half just yet.  Carroll County took over the ball again, but a hard hit by Austin Ellison knocked the ball loose and Hunter Neal was quick to pounce on it to give Dublin the ball back again at their own 42 yard line.  A quick pass from Draper to Levi Clark moved the ball to around the 25 yard line, and then as time expired off the clock Eaves fired to Clark again, who fought through defenders to catch the ball, then pulled two defenders into the endzone for the Dublin score.  Unfortunately for the Dukes, the play was called back for an illegal man downfield, and the half ended.

The Dukes received the ball to start the second half, but a fumble turned possession over to the Cavaliers.  The Dublin defense held strong, forcing the Cavaliers to punt.  While driving the ball, a pass from Draper to Callahan that appeared to be incomplete was ruled a catch and fumble, again giving the Cavaliers the ball.   Carroll County drove the ball in short bursts, and with 4:51 left in the game were able to cap off their drive with a four yard touchdown run.  The two point conversion made the score 24-14 Dublin.  The Carroll County onside kick attempt was recovered by Dublin at their own 45.  With 2:06 remaining, running back Darion Brown took the handoff, but it fell to the turf.  He picked the ball up, avoided two Cavalier tacklers, and took off around the right side of the offensive line.  After cutting through three more tackles, he cruised 32 yards for the score.  The two point conversion run by Jared Lucado was stopped, but the scoring was not over.  After the Dukes kicked off, the Cavaliers scored quickly on a 50 yard pass play.  The two point conversion was good, and the score was up to 30-22 Dublin.  The Dukes put the issue to rest and ate up the remainder of the clock, finishing off the drive with a final score as the time ran out.  Eaves took the ball to the left on a sweep, cut through two defenders at the line, made a spin move, and after cutting back across the field he crossed the goal line from 34 yards out.  The two point conversion attempt by Mark Southern was no good, and the game ended with the Dukes ahead 36-22.

While Eaves highlighted the offensive side of the game with two rushing touchdowns, one receiving touchdown, and over 150 yards total rushing, the defensive star of the game was Jesse Draper.  Draper finished the game with eight tackles for a loss, a forced fumble,and a fumble recovery.  The Dukes have a short recovery time this week, as they get back into action on Thursday on the road against Fort Chiswell.  Kickoff is set for 5 pm.