Henry Clay (5-3) vs. Paul L. Dunbar (4-3) October 18, 2002

This is a very tight district race and both teams, Henry Clay (2-2 district) and Dunbar (2-1 district) need a win to further their chances of claiming a playoff berth.  The revenge factor could play into tonight's game as Henry Clay defeated Dunbar twice last year including a 56-7 hammering in the playoffs. 

Both teams have plenty of talent and both teams can rely on a balanced offense.  Henry Clay has been led on the ground this year by 6-1 192 pound Sr. Isaiah Stewart (566 yards) and 5-7 146 pound Sr. Demetric Blackburn (448 yards).  6-4 200 pound Sr. David Buchanan has thrown for 1187 yards and 12 scoring strikes.  6-2 175 pound Jr. SE Aubrey White has emerged as a big play receiver with 39 receptions for 616 yards.  The Blue Devils defense has been led this season by 5-10 160 pound Sr. safety Bennett Hoefer and 6-1 190 pound Jr. LB Josh Wright.

Coach Mark Peach's Dunbar Bulldogs appear to be peaking at the right time and their passing attack has been led by 6-2 190 pound Sr. QB Josh Ellis, who has passed for 1559 yards and 11 TDs.  5-10 185 pound Sr. RB/WR Aaron Mason has caught 25 passes for 424 yards and has rushed for 533 yards.  6-3 220 pound Sr. TE Clint Keller has 23 receptions for 396 yards.  5-10 185 pound So. FB Bobby Vyverberg and 5-10 170 pound Jr. RB Markell Webb have also been effective running the ball.  The Bulldog defense has been led by 6-1 200 pound Sr. LB Mark Wethington and 6-2 225 pound Sr. DL Rick Jones.

Dunbar defeated Henry Clay 44-25 in a game marked by momentum swings.  Dunbar took a 21-0 lead, survived a 25 point barrage by Henry Clay to trail 25-21, then stormed back to score the final 23 points of the game.  Dunbar held a 497-274 yard edge in total offense but was penalized six times for 77 yards while Henry Clay was whistled four times for 17 yards.  Dunbar's offensive line did a great job tonight and Aaron Mason mainly operated as a wide receiver tonight which really opened up the Bulldog offense.  The swarming Dunbar defense was credited with eight tackles behind the line of scrimmage for losses of 65 yards. 

Dunbar's QB Josh Ellis completed 16 of 27 passes for 275 yards and four TDs.  Ellis was intercepted once and he also ran for a touchdown.  Clint Keller caught five passes for 96 yards and a score.  Aaron Mason had five receptions for 76 yards and a TD.  Bobby Vyverberg had a great evening, carrying the ball 11 times for 116 yards.  Markell Webb added 87 yards on 13 carries. 

Coach Sam Simpson's Henry Clay Blue Devils were led by QB David Buchanan who completed 14 of 18 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns.  Buchanan also ran for a score and did an excellent job considering he was under a heavy pass rush most of the evening.  Buchanan completed his first 11 passes.  Aubrey White had seven receptions for 121 yards and three scores.  Chase Marcinek caught five passes for 38 yards.  Demetric Blackburn carried the ball nine times for 61 yards.  Isaiah Stewart played sparingly tonight, only carrying the ball three times for but gaining 59 yards. 

Scoring Summary

Paul L. Dunbar

44

Henry Clay

25

School	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Henry Clay	0	12	13	0	25
Paul L. Dunbar	14	7	6	17	44

PLD	- Monte Mayberry 4 yard pass from Josh Ellis (Carson Kerr kick)
PLD	- Ryan Combs 27 yard pass from Ellis (Kerr kick)
PLD	- Aaron Mason 6 yard pass from Ellis (Kerr kick)
HC	- Aubrey White 49 yard pass from David Buchanan (kick fails)
HC	- White 14 yard pass from Buchanan (pass fails)
HC	- White 4 yard pass from Buchanan (Peter Mashni kick)
HC	- Buchanan 1 yard run (run fails)
PLD	- Ellis 1 yard run (kick blocked)
PLD	- Kerr 22 yard field goal
PLD	- Clint Keller 9 yard pass from Ellis (Kerr kick)
PLD	- Mason 14 yard run (Kerr kick)

 

Selected Statistics
 

Henry Clay						Paul L. Dunbar
Rushing	No.	Yds.	Avg.	Long		Rushing	No.	Yds.	Avg.	Long
Demetric Blackburn	9	61	6.8	31		Bobby Vyverberg	11	116	10.5	32
Isaiah Stewart	3	59	19.7	56		Markell Webb	13	87	6.7	19
Rod Johnson	3	9	3.0	6		Aaron Mason	3	21	7.0	14
Josh McCarty	5	7	1.4	7		Josh Ellis	3	8	2.7	21
David Buchanan	13	-28	-2.2	21		Wayne Thurman	2	8	4.0	5
Passing	A-C-I	Yds.	TD	Long		Passing	A-C-I	Yds.	TD	Long
David Buchanan	18-14-0	166	3	49		Josh Ellis	27-16-1	275	4	42
Receiving	No.	Yds.	TD	Long		Receiving	No.	Yds.	TD	Long
Aubrey White	7	121	3	49		Clint Keller	5	96	1	30
Chase Marcinek	5	38	0	15		Aaron Mason	5	76	1	42
Bennett Hoefer	1	5	0	5		Monte Mayberry	3	55	1	31
Demetric Blackburn	1	2	0	2		Ryan Combs	1	27	1	27
						Bobby Vyverberg	1	13	0	13
						Wayne Thurman	1	8	0	8

Acknowledgements

A special thanks to WL Stats for the comprehensive statistics provided for tonight's game. 

Other Games of Interest

Scott County

20

Tates Creek

13

Scott County made a last second defensive stand at their own five yard line to assure their 8th victory in as many starts this season.
 

Lexington Catholic

47

Montgomery County

14

Lexington Catholic scored 23 points in a 22 second period late in the second quarter to erase a 14-6 deficit. 
 

Woodford County

27

Bryan Station

13

Woodford County erased a Bryan Station 13-12 lead to assure the Yellowjackets of their first winning season since 1997.
 

Boyle County

35

East Jessamine

7

Boyle County was led tonight by So. QB Brandon Smith, who completed 16 of 21 passes for 187 yards and two scoring strikes.
 

Madison Southern

40

Leslie County

14

The Eagles had plenty of heroes on offense tonight as they improved to 8-0.  Malachi Maxwell rushed for 223 yards and two TDs on 24 carries, QB Blake Howard completed 17 of 24 passes for 253 yards and four TDs, and Andrew Pace caught 12 passes for 159 yards and three scoring receptions. 
 

Danville

51

Metcalfe County

14

Charles Penix led Danville tonight with 105 yards rushing and two touchdowns. 
 

Bardstown	55	Moore	6
Belfry	28	Whitesburg	0
Bullitt East	34	Valley	0
Campbellsville	19	Harrodsburg	0
Clark County	40	Whitley County	28
Corbin	14	Russell County	9
Cumberland	48	Pineville	34
Eastern	37	Fern Creek	0
Greenup County	16	Lawrence County	6
Henderson County	49	Apollo	0
Harrison County	27	Anderson County	12
Lloyd Memorial	40	Garrard County	12
Nelson County	17	Pleasure Ridge Park	7
Newport	42	Mercer County	37
Western Hills	41	Franklin County	20
Bell County	64	Knott County Central	6
Boone County	27	Dixie Heights	14
Fairdale	48	Doss	29
Green County	40	Somerset	14
Trinity	56	Shelby County	7
Mayfield	24	Murray	7
Newport Central Catholic	49	Dayton	0
Pulaski County	43	West Jessamine	35
Rockcastle County	49	Knox Central	0
Ryle	22	Simon Kenton	14
Warren Central	51	Logan County	6
Breathitt County	62	Morgan County	18