Dunbar uses long touchdown runs to deny Diamond Hill-Jarvis
In a game of long touchdown plays, Aaron Cooper helped break open a close game at halftime and lead Dunbar (2-2, 1-0) in a homecoming celebration past Diamond Hill-Jarvis, 35-6, Friday night at Clark Stadium.
Cooper had touchdown runs of 84, 53, and 46 yards all in the third quarter. The junior finished with 12 carries for 228 yards. Teammate Jeremiah Hayes contributed two touchdowns, the first and last of the game on a pass reception and run.
Dunbar led 7-0 at halftime. The only score was an 85-yard touchdown throw from Julius Tolbert to Hayes. Tolbert rolled out, threw short to Hayes in the flat and the senior broke a tackle and scampered down the sideline for the touchown. It came midway in the second quarter on the Wildcats’ second possession.
Both teams struggled offensively in the first half and squandered scoring opportunities. Early in the second quarter, Diamond Hill (3-3, 0-2) set up shop at the Dunbar 27 after Eddrick Hampton returned a punt 23 yards. But the Eagles were unable to move the ball and Erik Sontoya’s 40-yard field goal attempt was short and looked partially blocked.
Just before the end of the half, Adrian Gutierrez completed a 30-yard pass to Kam’ron Kimble to the Dunbar 11 on fourth-and-7. Running back Eddrick Hampton took the hike from center on the next three plays in shotgun formation. The first one gained eight yards to the 3-yard line. The second play gained no yards and, on the third, Hampton was dropped for a three-yard loss as time expired in the half.
Dunbar, too, missed an opportunity. The Wildcats moved from its 44 to the Diamond Hill 21, but incomplete passes and a 10-yard penalty pushed the ball back to 35 and the Wildcats failed to score.
Game was over when: Diamond Hill averted a shutout when Eddrick Hampton split two defenders to catch a touchdown pass from Adrian Gutierrez for 80 yards with 4:11 left in the third quarter. However, Dunbar replied with Cooper’s touchdown run of 46 yards a little over a minute later for a 28-6 Wildcats lead.
Play of the game: Cooper’s 84-yard run was the first offensive play by Dunbar in the second half. It gave the Wildcats a 14-0 lead.
Offensive player of the game: Aaron Cooper.
Unsung hero of the game: Kicker Jordan Alix was good on all five of his PATs which were scored right down the middle to split the uprights.
What’s next? After a bye next weekend, Diamond Hill plays Benbrook on Thursday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. at Scarborough-Handley Field. Dunbar will be back at Clark Stadium to face Benbrook next Friday at 7:30 p.m.