Fort Worth Dunbar back in playoffs with runaway 42-19 win over Fort Worth Eastern Hills

By John Henry

Special to the Star-Telegram

Fort Worth Dunbar is headed to the playoffs for the fifth time in six seasons, this time out of District 6-4A after a 42-19 victory over Fort Worth Eastern Hills on Friday night in front of a festive homecoming crowd at Clark Stadium.

On display was the Wildcats' recipe for success in the postseason: ball control and a quick, attacking defense.

Quarterback Dan Harris ran for 157 yards and two touchdowns, including one from 39 yards to open the scoring, and sophomore Taylor Martin rushed for 144 yards and two scores.

The smell of playoffs was in the air after Martin's 71-yard sprint through the middle of his line early in the third put Dunbar up 35-7.

"We need to be able to run the ball and get all of our guys healthy where we can get our speed out on the perimeter," coach Todd Lawson said of his postseason wish list. The Wildcats were missing four key players on Friday, though wide receiver/defensive back Stepfawn Hughes played with a minor injury.

"Once we do get players back, people can't load the box on us," Lawson said.

That will give Martin, the district's leading rusher and scorer, room to maneuver.

He was somewhat restricted by Eastern Hills. In addition to his 71-yard run, he had a touchdown of 34 yards. His next longest run, though, was 12 yards.

Dunbar needed only 2:35 of the first quarter and six plays to score twice.

After taking over at their own 45-yard line on the game's second possession, the Wildcats used three plays to take an early lead.

Harris ran twice on that drive for a total of 45 yards, including a 34-yard run for a touchdown at the 9:16 mark.

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