Dunbar Wins Record 13th State Title

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Phil Myers | December 1, 2023

The Dunbar Poets won their record-setting 13^th Maryland state football championship 8-0 in a rain-drenched defensive struggle against the Calvert Cavaliers.  The lone touchdown of the game was scored by Antonio Lyde in the third quarter.  Offense was hard to come by both teams and defense was the name of the game this day, especially by Dunbar who only gave up 71 points all year.  The Poets completed their third straight undefeated championship season and extended their current winning streak to 35 games.  They finished the 2023 campaign 11-0.

Dunbar’s Deshawn Parks #4 taking the handoff and eyeing to run behind Jaiyon Coleman’s #52 block.

It certainly was a defensive first half as both teams only were able move the ball for two first downs each.  Dunbar netted 5 total yards and Calvert’s Cavaliers netted 51.  For the game Dunbar ended up with 143 and Calvert 91.  The difference was the effective running game Dunbar was able to put together in the second half.

Receiving the second half kickoff, the Poets put together the only scoring drive of the game when they went 71 yards in 10 plays, capped off by Lyde’s 36-yard TD trot on a 4^th and one.  Lyde looked to go up the middle but bounced it outside and sped unimpeded down the sidelines for the score.  Lyde also ran in the two-point conversion and that was all the Poet defense needed as they played lights out the rest of the game.  Lyde led the Poets with 60 net rushing yards.

The only scoring chance Calvert had was a 42-yard field goal attempt near the end of the first half, but the kick was blocked and the Cavaliers never threatened again.  Domaine Wallace led the Cavs and all rushers with a net of 75 yards.  They were tough yards as the Dunbar defense yielded grudgingly, but credit young Mr. Wallace with some great efforts.  The Cavaliers were the #1 seed and finished with a record of 12-2.

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