The Dunbar Poets of Baltimore City claimed the 2A North regional championship after surviving Eastern Tech of Baltimore, 30-28, in the finals on Nov. 21 in Rosedale, Md.
The Poets led by a comfortable 30-14 lead at one point during the third quarter, but allowed Eastern Tech to cut their lead to two points late in the fourth quarter. Eastern Tech even had a chance to win the game as they set up for a potential game-winning field goal in the final seconds of the game. But Dunbar found a way to block the field goal attempt to take the victory.
“This win is up there with any win we ever had,” Dunbar coach Lawrence Smith told his players as reporters watched after the game. The playoff victory marked the fourth win for the Poets (9-3 overall) since Smith returned as coach following a nearly season-long suspension by Baltimore City School officials due to an alleged hazing incident that occurred among his junior varsity players during the 2013 season. Dunbar’s only loss since Smith’s return came against Edmondson-Westside (Baltimore), who was just crushed, 45-2, by Douglass of Baltimore in the 1A South regional finals.
Dunbar will advance on to the Maryland state semifinals finals to face Kent Island of Queen Anne County, Md., in Kent Island’s stadium in Stevenson, Md. on Nov. 28. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Meanwhile, Douglass HS will take on Cambridge HS of Cambridge, Md., in the state semifinals during the same date and time.