Orioles Top Dukes
- Updated: October 21, 2025
Photo Courtesy of Will Bruett
The Whitefish Bay Blue Dukes fell to the Hartford Orioles Friday night on Homecoming, 29-14. The Dukes ended the regular season with a 3-4 North Shore Conference record, which earned them a 6-seed in the Division 3 playoffs and a first round matchup with 3-seeded Port Washington Pirates.
Hartford got on the scoreboard first in the opening quarter and converted a 2-point conversion for a 8-0 lead. The Dukes were able to respond on their ensuing possession to make it 8-7 on a Harry Bortolotti touchdown run in the second quarter.
The kickoff to follow would spell disaster for the Blue Dukes, however, as they allowed a long return to give the Orioles great field possession to start their drive. It would take them just a few plays to find the endzone and take a 15-7 lead into the half.
Set to receive the kickoff to start the second half, the Dukes were in prime position to keep the ball moving and cut into the Oriole lead. A fumbled handoff on their very first play of the half was recovered by the Orioles and all they needed were a couple plays to make it 22-7.
Hartford was driving again in the 4th quarter with hopes to put the game away, but an errant pass was picked off by Bortolotti in the endzone and the Dukes had life. They would drive 80-yards down the field as Bortolotti finished off the drive with his 2nd touchdown of the night to make it 22-14.
The Blue Dukes were unable to stop the Orioles ground attack on the next drive, as Hartford was able to chew up clock and eventually score a final time with seconds left on the clock.
Robert Grano led the Dukes defensively with 13 total tackles (5 solo) and Bortolotti added 11 (4 solo).
Box Score l Photo Gallery
Photo Gallery Courtesy of Will Bruett
Next Up…
The (6) Blue Dukes reunite with an old North Shore Conference foe in the (3) Port Washington Pirates for a WIAA Level 1 Playoff game on Friday, October 25th at 7pm.
