Following the recent Turkey Bowl game between Dunbar and Coolidge, there was excitement all around. However, for Dunbar head coach Maurice “Bink” Vaughn, there was some unfinished business: winning the District of Columbia State Athletic Association (DCSAA) title.Their DCSAA title-game losing streak came to an end on Saturday. Dunbar’s Crimson Tide had advanced to the championship game three times in previous years, losing all three times to Friendship Collegiate (9-4).“I want to do something that Dunbar has never done; that is win a state championship,” Vaughn told The Informer after the Thanksgiving Day victory.
“We have had lots of success over the years and I am proud of all who have contributed to that. But we are still missing something that will define us.”Dunbar (12-1) had participated in 17 Turkey Bowls DCIAA/Interhigh championships since 1998, having won 12, including an unprecedented four straight from 1998 to 2001. Dunbar Athletic Director Phillip “Reese” Morgan encouraged the players, noting, “This school is historic. Don’t you ever forget … we’re supposed to win.”
In their fourth consecutive championship game against Friendship at Howard University’s Greene Stadium, the team’s motivation was evident from kickoff. Dunbar established themselves early, holding the Friendship Knights’ offense in check. However, their hustle did not translate into points because the tough Friendship Collegiate defense held the Crimson Tide in check.
Under the leadership of senior quarterback Brosnan Dukes, Dunbar finally got on the board, embarking on a seven-play, 96-yard drive to take a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter.But there was little time to celebrate. The proud Knights, who were going for their third straight DCSAA title, clawed their way back into the game, taking advantage of a Dunbar turnover and turning it into a 16-yard touchdown pass to get within 7-6 at the 8:26 mark of the third quarter.Dunbar answered with a touchdown near the end of the third quarter to make it 13-6. The Crimson Tide then all but put the game away when senior defensive back and running back Malachi Thomas returned a Friendship Collegiate fumble 81 yards for a score. Dunbar would go on to add another touchdown for good measure to close out the scoring and secure its first ever title. Thomas, who also had some big runs on offense, was named the Game MVP.“That scoop and score was probably the play of the game,” said Vaughn of the play by Thomas. “It gave us more breathing room and it changed the game.
The Crimson Tide ended the season with a nine-game win streak, capping off the careers of Dukes and a number of seniors who played a huge role in the program’s success.Dukes perhaps epitomized the program’s rise more so than any other player on the team. The senior signal-caller had his problems during last season, specifically in the loss to Friendship. But he did a 180-degree turnaround this season.Dukes came into the game having rushed for 1,152 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 168 of 252 passing for almost 3,000 yards and 27 touchdowns. His poise and command of the Dunbar offense was the difference against the Friendship Collegiate defense, one of the best in the area, as he engineered four scoring drives with efficiency.“He finished off a great career here at Dunbar,” Vaughn said of his star quarterback. “He has meant so much to this program as you saw today. I am going to miss him.”Following the game, there was a sea of red and black that joined in the celebration despite the bitter cold.
“This means so much to the Dunbar community,” noted Vaughn. “It was a long time coming. When I came here, I wanted to resurrect the program. Coach [Craig] Jeffries had set a standard for success. This championship hopefully goes a long way to reestablish the Dunbar legacy.”
Source: Washington Informer
