ANNAPOLIS, Md. — In a steady, driving rain storm on Friday afternoon at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, the Dunbar Poets (12-0) defeated the Calvert Cavaliers (12-2), 8-0, in the MPSSAA 2A/1A State Championship.
Points were at a premium in this game. Between the wet and cold conditions and the stout defenses on both sides, neither team was really able to settle in and feel comfortable on offense at any point.
Between much of the first and second quarters, the defenses and special teams were the stars for both teams. The teams traded punts, recovered fumbles, and forced three-and-outs to keep the score 0-0 deep into the first half.
The only real scoring threat in the first half came with 17 seconds before halftime. Calvert worked the ball into Dunbar territory, and kicker Keith Baker came out to attempt a 41-yard field goal for the Cavaliers. Baker had been making kicks from 50 yards out in warmups before the game, but this time Dunbar got a hand on the ball and blocked the kick to send the game scoreless into halftime.
Dunbar was able to tally the first, and eventually only, points of the game midway through the third quarter. On a 4th down & short, Dunbar running back Antonio Lyde broke free down the sideline and crossed the goal line on a 36-yard run. Lyde would also push the ball into the end zone for a two-point conversion which gave the Poets an 8-0 lead.
Throughout the remainder of the third and fourth quarters, Calvert attempted to get something going on offense. But the Dunbar defense, combined with several key dropped passes, was able to hold the Cavaliers offense at bay for the rest of the game.
Calvert punted away with about 3 minutes to play, hoping to get a stop. But Dunbar’s rushing attack grinded it out and was able to run out the clock.
The game didn’t see much offense at all, as both teams combined for fewer than 200 yards. The Poets offense held Calvert to only 91 total yards, and only one completed pass. The game saw only 12 combined passing yards, so the ground games from both teams took center stage on offense.
Dunbar’s victory marks the 13th time that the Poets have won a state title in school history, which set the record for most in MPSSAA history. The Poets complete yet another undefeated season, and win their third consecutive state championship.
