Jim Hart/Contributing Writer
jimhartrealestate@gmail.com

WINDSOR—Despite a few late game rallies by the Dukes, they came up short against the Surry Cougars with a final score of 8-6.

The only score in the first half came with a touchdown by the Cougars midway through the second quarter with a successful 2 point conversion. The half ended 8-0 in favor of Surry.

The Dukes came out swinging during the second half and were the only ones able to put points on the board during the second half. The third period was scoreless, but it did offer one serious threat by the Dukes, as they made it to the red zone of the Cougars and were 1st and goal on the 6 yard line. The Cougar defense held and Windsor turned the ball over on downs.

With the ball on the 1 yard line, the Dukes came close to scoring a safety, but the Cougars did manage a first down on their 3rd down attempt, taking them out of safety danger.

The Dukes managed to put the heat on during the 4th quarter, and they seemed poised to pull off a win. With a short pass to Justice Chapman from QB Lance Sexton, Chapman took it up the middle for a 23 yard touchdown with 2:26 left in the game. Chapman stood in as QB and was unsuccessful on the two point conversion with the quarterback keeper.

The Dukes were now down 8-6. The Dukes managed to cause a Cougar fumble and Austin Tomlin recovered on the Cougar 46 yard line with 1:23 left in the 4th quarter, but Windsor had no time outs remaining. While they managed to move the ball down field and gain a first down, time forced them to try a long field goal, which was unsuccessful as the ball was fumbled on the snap.

The Dukes managed 116 rushing yards and 101 passing yards with a total of 217 yards compared to the Cougars 57 rushing and 86 passing yards, for a total of 143.

Quarterback Lance Sexton was 8 for 16 with 1 touchdown, but he threw 2 interceptions. Justice Chapman led the Duke’s rushing charge with 17 carries and 50 yards, with Caleb Dunlow close behind with 11 carries and 45 yards and followed by Curtis Waters with 5  carries and 19 yards.

Chapman had 4 receptions for 45 yards and the lone Duke touchdown.