DMV Football Report: DCIAA Turkey Bowl Preview
Robert Stephens, Writer
The District of Columbia's Interscholastic Athletic Association's 'chip game has a novel twist this year.
The 42nd annual Turkey Bowl will feature the Colts of
Coolidge (8-2) and the Crimson Tide (8-3) of Dunbar for the DCIAA 2011
football championship. To reach the finals Coolidge defeated HD Woodson
36-14 and Dunbar blew out Ballou 57-3.
Ironically both teams are competitors in the DCIAA’S
Western division and their head to head match up featured the best game
in the DCIAA this season, with Dunbar winning in overtime 43-42.
In that overtime win at Coolidge, Dunbar led at the half
13-7. After three quarters with both teams finding the end zone Dunbar
led 27-21. The Colts outscored the Crimson Tide 14-8 in the 4th quarter
to tie the game at 35 a piece. In the overtime Dunbar converted the two
point conversion to capture a 43-42 thriller over the Colts.
Natalie Randolph has distinguished herself as a coach.
The two schools mirror each other let’s take a look
at their
respective seasons as far as statistics are concerned.
Dunbar has scored 395 points this season and surrendered
137 in their eleven game season. Coolidge has scored 373 points and allowed
141 in their ten game season. Coolidge averages 37.3 points per game while
Dunbar averages 32.8. Coolidge has a slight advantage on offense averaging
341. yards per game compared to Dunbar’s 269. Dunbar has a slight
advantage on defense keeping their opponents out
of the end zone.
i95 Ballerz has featured the Colts and their head coach Natalie Randolph
this season, and the coach stopped to talk about the upcoming Turkey Bowl.
Your team has a week off how do you use this time?
“There’s something to do everyday, yesterday we had a
meeting and some of the players went to the training room. We have some
players who need to heal. We have more time to prepare.”
What has fell into place for you this year as far as this team
is concerned?
“We are playing together as a team. We work together
and play as one unit. We are a family and that has helped.”
What was the reaction of the players after defeating
HD Woodson?
“They were ecstatic it’s been a lot of hard work and we
have been thru a lot. We had to fight to get to the championship.”
The last time you played Dunbar it was an offensive
shootout. What do you have to do to stop them?
“We have to control the ball and stop their running game. We have
to protect ourselves on the run and the pass.”
The final talk with your team?
“We have to play our game, we can’t bend to anyone. We have
to have a strong believe in the game plan and we’ll be okay.”
On the Coolidge side some of the players to look for
on offense are at quarterback 6’4 200lb. senior Femi Bamiro. Bamiro
has thrown 57-104-1032yds.and 13 touchdowns. Senior Dayon Pratt 6’4-170lbs.
has caught 27-454 yards and five td’s.
Senior Delonte Misher leads the team in receiving touchdowns with eight
while catching 26-458 yds. Junior Quinn West has caught 13-208 yards and
three touchdowns. Senior Stacy Lipkins leads the rushing attack with 68-881
yards and 12 touchdowns. Junior Jeffrey Nesbitt has run for 250 yards
and five touchdowns.
On defense the Colts are led by junior Hasan Jenkins
with 49 tackles. Dayon Prattt with 45 tackles ranks second in defensive
stops followed by Senior Charles Gaines with (34), Junior Myles Ginyard
with 33 and Anthony Stewart with 31 tackles.
The Crimson Tide’s offense features 6’2-174lb junior
Quarterback Lamel Matthews who has completed 40-68-537 yds.and eight touchdowns.
Matthews was hurt earlier in the season and his replacement Olu Izeguire
did a fine job completing 32-42-555yds. and 12 touchdowns. Maxie Stevens
21-335 yds. and six touchdowns leads the all wide receivers for the Crimson
Tide.
Sam Adams leads Dunbar’s defense with 77 tackles on
the season. Adams, a senior, is followed by Junior Hazel Crawford with
64 tackles. Senior Malique Gardner (48) and Junior Carlton White (44)
tackles are the ring leaders on the defensive side of the ball.