QUICK NEWS

Orioles Stuff Dukes

By Blue Dukes Media Team
Updated: September 3, 2023

Photo Courtesy of Kirk Behrendt

The Whitefish Bay Blue Dukes dropped their North Shore Conference opener against the Hartford Orioles on Friday night, 35-21. The loss brings the Dukes’ record to 1-2 on the young season.

The Orioles jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead just two minutes into the game with a 51-yard pass and catch after a quick 3-and-out from the Blue Dukes to open the game. With 41 seconds to go in the opening quarter, the Dukes were able to even things at 7 with a 5-yard touchdown run from junior Harry Bortoloti.

Hartford would add two more passing touchdowns in the second quarter to extend their lead to 14. The Dukes would respond, however, with a passing touchdown of their own as senior Ben Volpe found fellow senior Ben Beckmann over the middle for a 25-yard touchdown to make it 21-14 at the half. Volpe finished the game 11 of 20 for 104 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Beckmann hauled in 5 passes for 53 yards.

The lone score in the third belonged to the Orioles as they were able to break free for a 36-yard rushing touchdown to make it 28-14 going into the final quarter, where they would add their final touchdown on a 3-yard run for a 35-14 lead.

Bortolotti found the endzone for his second of the game was just under a minute left, this time from 10 yards out. The junior back rushed for 95 yards on 20 carries to go along with his two scores.

Andrew Elliott, Nick Bakken, and Ryan Scarlett led the Dukes defense in tackles with 6 each and senior Axl Woods brought in his first career interception.