Scouting Report: Dunbar Poets, Thriller In Baltimore

Dunbar Wins!! The Poets pull off a comeback win in overtime against worthy Baltimore City nemesis, Mervo, 48-46 OT. Saturday was an absolute thriller, two of the best teams in the area put on a show. This game started with special teams dramatics, with a snap over the punter causing a safety against Mervo, and lead to a 8-0 Dunbar lead. Shortly after halftime the score fell to 40-24, Mervo, the game looked to be out of reach for the Poets. Below we will highlight some standout players that gave Dunbar their comeback magic. (Full Game Highlights At The Bottom Of The Article) <strong><img class="size-medium wp-image-204071 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/09/Dunbar-3-224x300.jpg" alt="" width="224" height="300" />[player_tooltip player_id="90676" first="Devin" last="Roche"] - #3, RB, 5’8 170lbs, 2023</strong> Roche put his name in lights leading this Dunbar team Saturday afternoon. He’s quick, fast, explosive, just flat out a dynamic player. He showed his strength on a nice 70 yard run; a Mervo linebacker put a big hit on Roche about five  yards beyond the line of scrimmage, Roche used the momentum from the hit to spin out of the tackle, break away from another would be tackler and pulled away for his longest touchdown run of the day. After some explosive carries in the first half Roche stepped in at quarterback where he played lights out. The former youth league quarterback felt right at home with the ball in his hands. Using his athleticism to buy time and make handfuls of defenders miss to throwing touchdown passes under pressure, he could do it all. He finished the game with 6 total touchdowns in magician fashion. Roche currently hold an offer from home town Maryland Terps and is a NC State interest. After a performance like this one, Roche should get some interest from some other D1 schools. [embed]https://twitter.com/dev3k2/status/1440301283794030598?s=20[/embed] [embed]https://twitter.com/dev3k2/status/1434572894403809281?s=21[/embed] <img class="size-medium wp-image-204073 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/09/Dunbar-25-226x300.jpg" alt="" width="226" height="300" /> <strong>Tristen Kenan - #25, RB/DB, 5’11 185lbs, 2023</strong> Kenan is another explosive weapon for the Poets that showed great versatility. During the game he played running back, slot receiver, wild cat quarterback, and corner. Kenan was on the field at all times and proved why he should be. Kenan was on the receiving end of one of Roche’s intense scramble drill TD passes to put the Poets within 10 points late in the second half. Kenan used his hard running style to punch it in for 2 late scores to give the Poets the 48-40 lead, sealing the deal on the offensive side of the ball.  Whether it was blocking on a jet motion fake or finding the end zone when his team needed it the most, Kenan effected the game in a big way.  Tristen is a 2023 RB that caught my attention at the <em>Offense-Defense: Showdown in Towson 7on7 tournament</em> over the summer. He passes the eye test with flying colors and has the athleticism to go right along with it. [embed]https://twitter.com/25for6ix_/status/1440025385836716036?s=20[/embed] [embed]https://twitter.com/25for6ix_/status/1434551821809373186?s=20[/embed] <img class="size-medium wp-image-204091 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/09/Dunbar-11-226x300.jpg" alt="" width="226" height="300" /> <strong>Tony Hart - #11, WR/DB</strong> Hart was the silent X factor for the Poets in this comeback win. Along with Kenan, Hart was on the field a lot for the Poets, making plays on both sides of the ball. He hauled in a deep jump ball from Roche before Mervo’s mid game rally, putting the score at 22-25, Mervo. With Mervo up 24-40 Hart sweeps in for a clutch fumble recovery for a 25 yard return. In the following driv,e with the mustangs keyed in on Roche, Hart takes a screen pass 15 yards for the first down, which set up the touchdown closing the score to 32-40 late in the game. Hart had a huge 2nd down tackle for a loss giving Mervo a long 3rd down. Mervo went on the lose a fumble to the Poets on 3rd down, opening the door for the 40-40 tie. &nbsp; <strong>Dunbar Defense:</strong> The Poets defensive unit played great in the second half with 2 forced fumbles and allowed only 6 points late in the game. Dunbar’s rushing defense was lights out, forcing the Mustangs to have to pass the ball for majority of the game. Eventually the Poet rush started to make it home and effect Mervo’s dynamic QB tandem. Poets swarmed to the ball like Poets of old, carrying on their winning tradition. [embed]https://youtu.be/8kvNIqOvu0w[/embed]