Dunbar upends North 21-13
What was supposed to be an early clash between two unbeaten schools ended up being a statement game for the visiting team.
The Dunbar Tigers showed the sold out Red Knight faithful exactly how a balanced football team wins games, — with defense and both a passing and running attack.
Dunbar slashed its way to a 21-13 victory over one-dimensional North Fort Myers at Moody Field as the Tigers stretched their perfect record to 3-0.
Midway through the first quarter, Dunbar struck first on a 10-yard scamper to the end zone by running back Jorvonte Jones putting his team up 7-0.
Red Knight quarterback Jose Feliciano, and his offense, failed to respond and the Red Knights were forced to a three-and-out quickly.
The Tigers made their first mistake when they were penalized for roughing the kicker on the punt attempt, giving North a first down near midfield. The Red Knights’ drive stalled as Dunbar defensive back Miguel Rodriguez knocked down a pass on a third down play.
Dunbar’s defense forced another punt and set the tone for the game. North was unable to capitalize.
Late in the second quarter, after North had the two unsuccessful drives with great field possession, Tigers running back Antavian Edison ran 84 yards for a touchdown. As a result, Dunbar took a two-touchdown lead with a little more than six minutes to play in the quarter.
The Red Knights, on what seemed like a must drive for them to stay within reach, didn’t go well, as they failed to get any positive yards. On third and 16 from their own 29-yard line, on a drive that started at their 40, Feliciano was sacked by Dunbar’s Devouris Means, who seemed to be in every play all night.
Dunbar had a chance late in the second quarter to put the game out of reach, but the Knights’ defensive unit led by Mike Nelson stepped up and kept the game close at 14-0.
North coach Barry Goettemoeller got his offensive unit to respond for the second half. In what was the Knights’ best drive of the game, they took the opening kickoff 57 yards for their first touchdown. The score was set up by a great return by Mike Becker that gave them the ball at their own 43-yard line. The drive, which nearly took six minutes. Running back Robenson Merci capped the possession with a six-yard run and North trailed 14-7.
In the fourth quarter, Dunbar got the ball on its own 46-yard line and put the game away as quarterback Melvin German marched the Tigers down the field. Melvin German connected on a five-yard TD pass to Joel German to stretch the lead to 21-7 with eight minutes left.
North (2-1) visits Cape Coral (2-1) next Friday night for a District 5A-12 game.