By Todd Bradley, DCSportsFan.com
MaxPreps.com
There is no doubt that Coolidge has made significant strides on the football field this season, but Dunbar proved that the Colts still have work to do to be considered the top team in the DCIAA West. Dunbar jumped out to a 14-0 first quarter lead and held on to defeat Coolidge 34-27 in Northwest D.C. Friday night.
"It was a big game for us because we wanted to be the No. 1 spot in the West," Dunbar senior defensive lineman Richard Hughes said. "They have a good offense, but our defense stepped up tonight."
Hughes was one of many Crimson Tide defensive players responsible for shutting down a high-powered Coolidge offense for the majority of the game. Despite coming into Friday night averaging over 40 points per game, the Colts struggled to move the ball for the first two and a half quarters.
Leonard Cole had two interceptions and Hughes sacked Coolidge quarterback Emmanuel Yeager twice as the Louisville commit was under constant pressure. By game's end, Yeager completed only 8 of 24 passes for 172 yards and threw three interceptions. Dunbar, however, moved the ball up and down the field for most of the night.
Crimson Tide senior quarterback Tyree White connected with Deon Long (West Virginia) twice for first quarter touchdowns as Dunbar went up 14-0. White (10 for 20, 197 yards) threw two more touchdown passes on the night, including a 25-yard strike to senior Chris Jeffries, who finished with four receptions for 63 yards. Jeffries transferred to Dunbar from Westlake High School and has been an impact player all year.
"Right before the season started I moved out here, and I had to work hard to get on the field," Jeffries said. "All I'm trying to do is get to the next level. That's what is driving me right now."
Dunbar led 28-6 at one point in the fourth quarter, but Coolidge's offense finally got on track. Yeager hit senior wide receiver Martize Barr (4 receptions, 117 yards) on a 46-yard touchdown pass to cut Dunbar's lead to 28-12.
Although the Crimson Tide scored another touchdown on an 11-yard run by DeJuan Davis (9 carries, 48 yards), Coolidge was able to score two more times late in the fourth quarter on Yeager runs of 7 and 12 yards. In the end, though, it wasn't enough as Dunbar won its fifth straight game to finish their regular season at 5-5 and 4-0 in the DCIAA West.
Although Coolidge (8-2, 2-1) will play at Cardozo next weekend in its final division game, the Colts have already clinched a playoff birth. Semifinal action begins Nov. 15 at Cardozo High School with the 39th Annual Turkey Bowl taking place Thanksgiving Day at 11 a.m.