On a night where emotions ran high, the Crimson Tide of Dunbar were able to overcome a slow start and continue their dominance by defeating the Wilson Tigers, 35-0.

“This is great. We are starting to click as a team. From special teams, to the O, to the D, to the Coach,” said Dunbar running back Vernard Roberts. “I am speechless, this is our year.”

Roberts, only a junior, had a huge night where he racked up 157 yards on the ground and another 37 in the air, and he was a difference-maker whenever he had the ball in his hands.

On senior night and homecoming, an evening where about 200 alumni packed the stands, it was the sophomores and juniors who stole the show. Dunbar came into the game on a seven-game winning streak and one of the hottest offenses around. When you outscore your last seven opponents 371-31, many people were ready to watch this potent offense, but the Tigers had other ideas.

On the Tide’s first two offensive possessions, the Tigers defense was able to force two fumbles, recovering both, and silencing the crowd that was waiting to explode. As the offense sputtered to get out of the gates, Dunbar decided it was time to step up, and step up is an understatement. The Tide’s defense played big all game long, holding the Tigers to less than 100 yards of offense.

After a scoreless first quarter, you could feel the anticipation in their air. As Dunbar drove down the field, you could see their offense slowly settling into place. After freshman quarterback Lamel Mathews found Roberts in the back of the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown pass, the Crimson Tide finally found the momentum they needed heading into halftime, leading 7-0.

Heading out onto the field for the second half, Dunbar sophomore Ole Izegwire received the ball on the 10-yard line and returned it 90 yards for the second score of the game.

From then on it was all Tide, as they slowed the game down, but when you have someone as dangerous as Roberts, what some may call a simple run, can break into a big play. After a 3-yard touchdown by Roberts, Dunbar found themselves comfortably ahead 20-0 heading into the fourth quarter.

As the Crimson Tide began to try to run the clock, Roberts kept making play after a play. A simple run up the middl, would turn into a gain of 14 yards. Another dive play, Roberts would bounce it outside for a gain of 15, and after he carried his team down to the 1-yard line, Mathews would sneak in for the touchdown.

Izegwire would score one more time late in final quarter, and as the extra point snap was fumbled, the Tide were able to even make that look good as they dove in the for the two-point conversion.

Game MVP: Vernard Roberts RB (194 total yards 2 TDs)
Roberts carried his team down the field all night, and as a result, Roberts became his schools first 1,000-yard back in the 10 years.

“This is a dream come true,” said Roberts. “This is something I have wanted to accomplish since day one, and now that I have done it, I am speechless. This is great. It has been 10 years since Dunbar has had a 1,000-yard back, and I want to thank God for choosing me to be the one to do it.”

Scoring Summary

Second Quarter: Dunbar Touchdown (7-0)
13-yard pass to Roberts from Mathews (Flores kick)

Third Quarter: Dunbar Touchdown (14-0)
90-yard kickoff return by Izegwire (Flores Kick)

Third Quarter: Dunbar Touchdown (20-0)
3-yard run by Roberts (kick failed)

Fourth Quarter: Dunbar Touchdown (27-0)
1-yard run by Mathew (Flores kick)

Fourth Quarter: Dunbar Touchdown (35-0)
10-yard run by Izegwire (Bray run)

Game Stats

Rushing Leaders

Dunbar: Vern. Roberts 19-157, O. Izegwire 14-93

Wilson: B. Glover 8-21 

Passing Leaders

Dunbar: L. Mathews 5-8-83

Wilson: J. Knight 2-6-15, S. Turner Jr. 2-8-14 

Receiving Leaders

Dunbar: Vern. Roberts 2-37, O. Izegwire 2-36