Dukes extend run of futility for Barons


South Boston News

The Bluestone varsity football team was unable to shake a losing streak against Cumberland as the Barons fell to the host Dukes 44-20 in James River District action Friday night.

A turnover on the Barons’ first possession resulted in a Cumberland scamper for a touchdown to put Bluestone down early. Even though the Barons were able to answer with their own TD, Cumberland kept the pressure on and took a 26-6 lead at the half.

Barons head coach Waverly Jackson said the defense was fairly solid, but the first half turnovers didn’t help the cause.

“The defense was not playing all that bad,” Jackson said. “We were still having issues with tackling and not wrapping up.

“The offense turned the ball over five times total in the game. Three or four of the turnovers came in the first half of play. Two turnovers were in the red zone.”

Cumberland ran the second half opening kickoff back for a TD. But during halftime, the coaches reminded the Barons of the Greensville game — when they were down 26 points and came back to win the game in OT. Fittingly, the Barons responded with a score.

“We did not feel that the game was out of reach,” Jackson noted. “During the half, we reminded the players of what happened during the second half of the Greensville game.

“I think that they came out believing that they could make a run in the second half and we ended up scoring three touchdowns. Unfortunately Cumberland was able to counter with three scores of their own.”

Bluestone responded with a 50-yard TD catch and run by Nyier Wilson, following the Cumberland kick return for a TD. “In the second half we came out and spread the field out a little more,” continued Jackson. “We went to the shotgun and worked with a little bit more of an up tempo pace … tried to get the ball to some of our playmakers and let them work in space.”

The coaching staff hadn’t complied stats from the game but Jackson said the team had some nice contributions on offense and defense.

“On offense the big contributors were Bryant Jacox, Nyier Wilson, and Tavarius Brooks,” Jackson said.

“Defensively, Giovannia Mullins, Maleek Pulliam, and Shyheim Evans play stood out.”

Brooks, the Barons’ quarterback, in particular played a fine game on the night. It’s been a tough season for the young QB, but he has matured nicely as a leader as the season has progressed.

The loss was the fifth straight for Bluestone and dropped the Barons to 1-6 on the season with three games remaining. Even with the loss, Jackson, the coaching staff and players want the year to end on the upswing.

“We are still hoping to improve every week,” Jackson said. “We want to send the seniors out on a positive note and end the season strong to build on for next year.

“We still believe that we can win every game remaining on our schedule. We also are going to take a look at some of the younger players and see how they handle a few plays here and there on the varsity level.”

Jackson also said the Baron football team and coaching staff wanted to express condolences for the family of Jamond Salley. Jamond played for the Park View High School Dragons and died on Friday night after a suspected head injury that occurred during the team’s game against Brunswick High School.

“Our condolences to Jamond’s family,” Jackson stated. “The tragedy hit some of our players hard as well. We have relatives of his on the team and some of his friends play on our team.”

Jackson said he wanted Jamond’s family to know that the BHS Barons football team has them in their thoughts and “we will be playing in Jamond’s honor this Friday.”

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