QUICK NEWS

Dukes Burn Out Suns

By Blue Dukes Media Team
Updated: September 8, 2024

Photo Courtesy of Rod Brower

The Whitefish Bay Blue Dukes are 3-0 to begin the season after a 42-6 thrashing of the West Bend East Suns on Friday night at Lubar Stadium. The Dukes jumped out to an early 21-0 lead in the opening quarter and took a 35-0 lead into the intermission to coast to victory.

After a quick three-and-out by the Suns to start the game, senior Brodie Seaman got his hands on the punt to give the Bay offense a short field to begin the game. A 28-yard run by senior Harry Bortolotti to start the series led to a 2-yard touchdown run by senior Joseph Lee on the ensuing play for a quick 7-0 lead.

The Suns were forced to punt again after just three plays and the Dukes marched quickly down the field on the ground, with Bortolotti punching it in from 3-yards out for the first of his three touchdowns on the night. The 14-0 lead wouldn’t last long as the Suns fumbled the kickoff which was recovered by senior Gator McCarthy at the 2-yardline. Bortolotti plunged into the endzone on the next play and just like that it was 21-0 in the first quarter.

The Dukes would have to punt on their next drive, but a big hit by sophomore Mark Banks forced a fumble that was recovered by fellow sophomore Carter House at midfield. Lee took a handoff 38 yards to the redzone and two play later junior Tosin Kolawale took a jet sweep around the edge and into the endzone from the 6-yardline.

West Bend East was able to move the ball on their next series, but ultimately had to punt after a big Kolawale sack on a 3rd-and-long. Facing a 4th-and-6 after getting the ball back, sophomore quarterback Chase Wolter found Bortolotti in the flat for a 14-yard pitch-and-catch to move the chains and keep the drive alive. Bortolotti capped off the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run up the middle to push the score to 35-0 before the half. Bortolotti finished with 137 rushing yards on just 14 carries while Lee added 53 yards on 4 touches.

The Bay scoring would wrap up on their next drive to open the second half when freshman Mace Miskel took a sweep into the endzone from the 7. The lead would stay at 42 until the Suns put one in in the fourth quarter.

Kolawale paced the defense with 7 total tackles, followed by Seaman, senior John Dorsey, and sophomore PJ Mahoney each adding 5. The Dukes D allowed just 162 total yards on 35 plays as their hot start to the season has led to a +109 scoring margin.