Dukes Outlast Cavaliers
By David Gravely
The Dublin Middle School football team was outsized by the visiting Carroll County Cavaliers on Thursday, but in the end speed was the deciding factor as the Dukes won their final home game of the season 14-6.
Carroll County received the kickoff to start the game, and after driving the ball down the field for most of the first quarter the Dukes were finally able to make a stand and take over on downs deep in their own territory. On third and long, quarterback Kevin Smith bobbled the snap from the center, and after picking the ball up he scrambled to the right side of the field. After avoiding a few tackles, Smith went 73 yards for the first score of the contest. The two point try was no good, leaving Dublin up 6-0.
The Cavaliers went back to work, and after another long drive were able to take the ball into the endzone from one yard out to tie things up. An attempted muddle huddle two point conversion try was no good, leaving the game tied at 6-6. Dublin drove the ball downfield behind strong running from Hunter Thomas, Alex Ramsey, and Jake Clary, but the Cavaliers were able to stop the Dukes on fourth and goal to take possession back. Several pass attempts failed, and the first half ended with the 6-6 tie.
Carroll County tried an onside kick to start out the second half, but Dublin recovered the ball and went back to work with good field position. With just under five minutes left in the third quarter, Jake Clary broke through the middle of the Cavalier defensive line and bulled his way into the endzone from four yards out. Clary, who is in his first year of football, took the ball in for the two point conversion also, putting the Dukes up 14-6.
Dublin kicked off and went to the defensive side of the ball next, and with the Cavaliers starting to drive the ball Alex Ramsey intercepted a pass attempt to give the ball back to the Dukes. Strong defense by both teams kept the rest of the third quarter scoreless. With time running down in the fourth quarter, Carroll County began to push the ball into Dukes territory. A long pass and several strong runs put the Cavaliers in business at the Dukes two yard line with just 35 seconds remaining and no time outs. Two stops by Dublin ate away at the clock, and then on the final play of the game Bradley Church sacked the scrambling Carroll County quarterback for a ten yard loss to end the game.
"We have several key players out with injuries, so we were worried about that" said Head Coach Ward Angle. "Other players stepped in and filled those spots, and we were pretty happy with the jobs they did. Our center, Logan Smith, was out with a concussion. Jake Turpin didn't miss a beat and did a great job, with no fumbles or bad snaps in the contest and great blocking. We still had too many mistakes though. We can't turn the ball over like we did, and there was some sloppy tackling. We want to be the most physical team on the field, and tonight we didn't hit the way I know we can. I'm hoping to see that improve in our last two games."
The Dukes will hit the road for their final two contests, as they travel to Giles to face the Spartans next week and then Pulaski in the final game of the season.
By David Gravely
The Dublin Middle School football team was outsized by the visiting Carroll County Cavaliers on Thursday, but in the end speed was the deciding factor as the Dukes won their final home game of the season 14-6.
The Cavaliers went back to work, and after another long drive were able to take the ball into the endzone from one yard out to tie things up. An attempted muddle huddle two point conversion try was no good, leaving the game tied at 6-6. Dublin drove the ball downfield behind strong running from Hunter Thomas, Alex Ramsey, and Jake Clary, but the Cavaliers were able to stop the Dukes on fourth and goal to take possession back. Several pass attempts failed, and the first half ended with the 6-6 tie.
Carroll County tried an onside kick to start out the second half, but Dublin recovered the ball and went back to work with good field position. With just under five minutes left in the third quarter, Jake Clary broke through the middle of the Cavalier defensive line and bulled his way into the endzone from four yards out. Clary, who is in his first year of football, took the ball in for the two point conversion also, putting the Dukes up 14-6.
Dublin kicked off and went to the defensive side of the ball next, and with the Cavaliers starting to drive the ball Alex Ramsey intercepted a pass attempt to give the ball back to the Dukes. Strong defense by both teams kept the rest of the third quarter scoreless. With time running down in the fourth quarter, Carroll County began to push the ball into Dukes territory. A long pass and several strong runs put the Cavaliers in business at the Dukes two yard line with just 35 seconds remaining and no time outs. Two stops by Dublin ate away at the clock, and then on the final play of the game Bradley Church sacked the scrambling Carroll County quarterback for a ten yard loss to end the game.
"We have several key players out with injuries, so we were worried about that" said Head Coach Ward Angle. "Other players stepped in and filled those spots, and we were pretty happy with the jobs they did. Our center, Logan Smith, was out with a concussion. Jake Turpin didn't miss a beat and did a great job, with no fumbles or bad snaps in the contest and great blocking. We still had too many mistakes though. We can't turn the ball over like we did, and there was some sloppy tackling. We want to be the most physical team on the field, and tonight we didn't hit the way I know we can. I'm hoping to see that improve in our last two games."
The Dukes will hit the road for their final two contests, as they travel to Giles to face the Spartans next week and then Pulaski in the final game of the season.
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