Dukes Defeat Orioles
By David Gravely

There is a long history in the rivalry between the Dublin Dukes and the Pulaski Orioles.  The first score that can be found is from 1944, when the Pulaski High School Orioles beat the Dublin High School Dukes 25-0.  In 1948, the Dukes fought their way to a 14-14 tie, and in 1949 the Dukes defeated the Orioles 7-0.  In 1953 Kenneth J. Dobson, the man whom our high school stadium is now named after, was the new head coach and backfield coach for the Dukes.  That rivalry continued Thursday in Dublin, with the Dukes earning a 36-12 victory over the visiting Orioles.

The Orioles took the opening kickoff and got to work at their own 15 yard line. Two bad shotgun snaps in a row sent the ball over the quarterbacks head, and on the second snap defensive end Austin Ellison brought down Pulaski quarterback Brandon Walters for a safety.  The Dukes took the ensuing kickoff to the Orioles 29 yard line, and with 4:40 left in the first quarter Dublin running back Malik Eaves caught a dump pass over the left middle and took it into the endzone from three yards out.  The two point conversion was no good, leaving the score at 8-0 Dublin.   Pulaski took the kickoff but after a strong Dublin defensive effort, the Orioles were forced to punt.  Dublin took over at their own 23 yard line, and with 1:06 left in the quarter Eaves cut back over the right side and headed 40 yards for his second score of the game.  The elusive back took the ball in himself for the two point conversion, giving the Dukes a 16-0 lead. 

The Orioles weren't ready to throw in the towel however, and with just seconds left in the first quarter Pulaski's Tyler Harrison took the pitch and headed 62 yards down field to flip the field position for Pulaski.  The Orioles were unable to take advantage of the opportunity, turning the ball over on downs, but the Pulaski defense stepped up and held the Dukes to short yardage and forced a punt.  During the punt, a Duke player stepped in front of the punter and the Orioles got the ball deep in Dublin territory.  With 1:09 left in the half, Walters flipped the ball to Harrison who was heading to the left.  Harrison stopped and threw the ball back across the field to Walters, who went six yards into the endzone for the first Pulaski score.  The two point run was no good, but the scoring was far from over.  On the kickoff, Eaves took the ball and after a couple of good blocks headed 73 yards for his second kickoff return score of the season.  Eaves again ran the two point conversion in himself, putting the score at 24-6 Dublin.  The Orioles got the ball back to their own 46 on the kickoff, and after trying a flea flicker the Dukes forced a fumble.  Hunter Neal picked the ball up for Dublin, and then Jake Callahan took it a few yards before being tackled and the half ended.

The second half started with a Pulaski onside kick attempt that was recovered by Mark Southern, giving the Dukes the ball at their own 38 yard line.  With 6:52 left in the third quarter, Eaves rambled 58 yards for his fourth touchdown of the game.  The two point attempt was no good, moving the score to 30-6 Dublin.  The Orioles again made a good return on the kickoff, moving the ball to their own 47 yard line.   Both teams moved the ball back and forth, but the Orioles were the team to strike next.  With 3:33 left in the third quarter Brandon Walters broke loose on the Dukes defense, cutting around and across the field before finally going 43 yards for the Pulaski score.  The two point conversion was again no good, putting the score at 30-12 Dublin.  The Dukes started moving the ball down the field, one of the big runs on the drive came from Elijah Booth for well over 40 yards before a Pulaski defender finally wrestled him to the ground.  With 1:05 left in the quarter Dublin's Jesse Draper took the ball into the endzone from 4 yards out to put the Dukes up 36-12 after the failed two point conversion.

The final quarter saw action from many of the reserve players, and while there was some strong running from each team, neither was able to put the ball into the endzone.  With the two teams gathered at midfield at the end of the game, the coaches pointed to a banner which had been hung in the far endzone that read "Orioles + Dukes = Cougars" and reminded them that the two groups of eighth graders would now become teammates.  Pulaski County Head Football Coach Todd Jones was in attendance at the game, and was impressed with what he saw from the two schools.  "It looks like we've got some hard working young men coming to us next year" said Jones.  "Their parents can be proud of their efforts tonight.  We are looking forward to getting to know them and working with them as Cougars".

The two teams will have one more chance to put on their jerseys, when they walk down the 63 steps of Kenneth J. Dobson Stadium on Friday, October 22 at the Pulaski vs Hidden Valley game to be recognized during rec league and middle school recognition night.  Players, cheerleaders, and certified coaches are to meet at the gate near the fieldhouse by 5:45 pm.