Dukes CRUSH Homestead, Clinch Championship
- Updated: November 8, 2020
For the first time since 1962, the Whitefish Bay Blue Dukes are undefeated, outright Conference Champions. The Blue Dukes traveled to Homestead for the 2020 regular season finale and took down the Highlanders 28-0 after not being able to play their last two games.
The Blue Dukes Defense hasn’t allowed a point in the last three games and have shut down everything that opposing offenses are throwing at them. The Highlanders were held to 109 yards of total offense, all on the ground, and were 0-12 through the air. Senior Safety Grover Bortolotti and Byron Burrows both had interceptions, as the Dukes Defense continued to fly to the ball, smothering another opponent. Junior Cornerback Nick Lewis recovered a fumble that was forced by Junior Joe Brunner on the Highlanders second possession, helping the Blue Dukes Defense finish the regular season with 15 total turnovers forced.
The unsung heroes of the Offensive Line led an offensive attack that racked up 289 total yards of total offense. With Caleb Bowers, Joe Bakken, Nick Callahan, Heath Oberg, Joe Stockwell, Nick Layeux, and Joe Brunner clearing the way, the Blue Dukes rushed for 138 yards on the ground. Senior signal caller Jack Stecker threw for 151 yards and two touchdowns on 8 of 14 from the pocket. Stecker connected with Bortolotti through the air from 26 yards out after Homestead fumbled a punt return just 4 minutes into the game to kick off the fun for the Blue Dukes.
With 31 seconds left in the first quarter, Junior Fullback Dom Bartolone took a carry 50-yards to the house for his first touchdown of the year to extend the Bay lead to 14-0. Bartolone became the third running back to lead the team in rushing this year, averaging 11.6 yards per carry on 7 attempts for 81 yards. Fellow Junior Wingback Jack Nau capped off the night by hauling in a 17-yard shovel pass from Stecker to make it 28-0 with 11:09 left in the game. Nau caught 3 passes for 97 yards, a jaw-dropping 32.3 yards per catch, to lead the Dukes in receiving on the night.
Next Up….
The Blue Dukes received a 3 seed in the WIAA “culminating event”, and will travel to Greendale next Friday, November 13th at 7:00 p.m. to take on the Martin Luther High School in Level 1 play.
Boxscore | Photo Gallery
