Island Coast stuns Dunbar 6-2
A state of shock fell over Dunbar Stadium Friday night, except for those wearing green and gold after the Island Coast Gators knocked off the Dunbar Tigers 6-2.
The story of the game was mistakes and miscues, but only one really affected the outcome. Trailing 2-0 in the fourth quarter, the Gators punted hoping their defense could give them one more stop. The defense never stepped on the field as Dunbar fumbled the catch and the Gators recovered at their own 45-yard line.
Three of the next four carries went to Jordan Reed, whose powerful running pushed the ball to the Tiger 33. From there the offense fell on the legs of quarterback Michael Dumas, who carried the next six times, including the one-yard dive over the pile for the touchdown and the lead with 4 1/2 minutes left in the game.
“I had courage in my linemen. I knew they would get the job done,” Dumas said.
Despite only having one pass completion, Dumas led his team on the ground with 89 yards.
The late lead change seemed to spark the stagnant Tigers, as their first two plays were runs of 19 and 13 yards by Jorvonte Jones, crossing into Gator territory. On fourth-and-10, quarterback Chris James found Tevin Spears streaking 25 yards down the field to the Gator 15. A play later they were at the 10, but a couple of incompletions, and back-to-back false starts left Dunbar with fourth-and-15 and less than two minutes to go.
James could not make a play and the Gators got the ball back and ran out the clock.
“Huge, absolutely huge, make it bold and all capital letters,” exclaimed Island Coast coach Joe Bowen, fresh off a Gatorade bath. “This puts us right back in the district title hunt. It was a must-win and our guys knew that and came through.”
Dunbar, a district runner-up last season, struggled mightily on offense with only 36 yards in the first half, then turning the ball over twice in the second half, and being sacked twice on key third downs.
Island Coast 0 0 0 6 – 6
Dunbar 2 0 0 0 – 2
First Quarter
D – Safety, Island Coast recovered fumble in end zone
Fourth Quarter
IC – Michael Dumas one run