Sports

Dukes Beats Hampton for Second Year in a Row

Reporter Kevin Phillips

The Gloucester Dukes won their homecoming game against the Hampton Crabbers 12-20.

Last year was the first time in Dukes history that they beat the Crabbers. The showdown came down to a game-winning field goal by Isaiah Lester that kicked the Crabbers out of the playoffs.

Now, the Dukes have made history by beating Hampton two years in a row.

Following a hard-fought game against Bethel, the Dukes had a shortened practice schedule due to the homecoming parade and pep rally. Coach Stanley Hundely, undeterred by the shortened practice time, remembers ”we were confident about our game plan and we knew we had to compete for four quarters and if we execute we will get the results we need.”

“We didn’t change anything,” Coach Hundley explained, “we stuck to our normal gameplan, and made sure we were prepared.”

The Dukes received the ball at the beginning of the game. On the second play, Gloucester wide receiver Clay Guilliams caught the ball and scored a 61 yard touchdown to put the Dukes in the lead.

The Dukes had 129 rushing yards and 91 receiving yards at the end of the game.

The three leading receivers in the game were Clay Guilliams, Jordan Mumford, and Xavier Washington.

The run game for the Dukes helped them open the pass to run the clock. The two rushing leaders were KJ Williams and Malakyi Cooke.

The defense held the Crabbers to 12 points and turnovered the ball twice. Both safeties Kaleb Spencer and Jordan Mumford had an interception.

The final score of the game was 20 -12 with the Dukes having over 200 offensive yards and turnovered the ball two times.

“It felt amazing to get the win against Hampton and it felt special with the team we have,” said Dukes quarterback Isaiah Lester.

“It’s a good starting place, we want to be competitive in our league, every win feels good” said Coach Hundley.

The Dukes are going up against Denbigh the 25th of October. If the Dukes win against Denbigh, they will go to the playoffs and it will be the first time in 31 years that the dukes have had a winning season.

The game against Denbigh is the Duke's last home game and Senior night.