By CHRIS BAKER

Bluestone High School walked into Cumberland County on Friday night and ran away with a 43-0 win over the Dukes’ varsity football team.

The CHS Dukes had a more than difficult time finding a rhythm on offense. The Bluestone Barons were unforgiving with their stern defensive front, not allowing virtually any yards on the ground in the first half.

On the Barons’ first offensive drive, they scored on a triple-option with Aaron Moody finding the end zone. After Cumberland mishandled the following kick-off, Bluestone recovered the ball on the Duke’s one-yard line, allowing another walk-in rushing touchdown by the Barons.

The Cumberland defense woke up a bit in the second quarter, causing Bluestone trouble with moving the ball. In fact, the Dukes brought the Barons to their first fourth down in the game. The Barons then went for it fon ourth down which was converted. The very next play, Cumberland’s Keyshawn Diming positioned a hard hit on a Bluestone receiver, causing an incompletion.

On the same drive the Dukes would ring the Bluestone quarterback’s bell with a sack by hard-nosed tackle by Raheem Rumsey. The Barons then took a shot at the end zone where Cumberland’s Ahmad Booker was waiting to pick off the throw.

The Dukes then fumbled just two plays after Booker’s interception, putting the Barons near the goal line. Bluestone took advantage of the turnover, as well as the rest of the first half, scoring three more times before halftime leading 31-0 over the Dukes.

On the opening drive of the second half, the Dukes’ De’Suan Jennings ran for a scarce Cumberland first down on his first touch of the night. Darius Jackson then ran for a first down of his own and it seemed as though the offensive woes of the Dukes were fading away, but another fumble cost them the possession, and the struggling Cumberland defense took the field once again to try to put a stop to the train that was the Baron running game.

After two more Baron scores, Cumberland struck the Bluestone quarterback and forced a fumble. The Duke’s offense was unable to convert on the Bluestone turnover. The Barons would score on the following drive.

“My responsibility as head coach is to have my team properly prepared on Friday nights, and it is safe to say that we were not ready,” Cumberland High School varsity football head coach Edgar Knapp reflected after the game. “Our kids have been working hard all year to build a successful program here.”

The Duke offense was led by De’Suan Jennings who ended the night with 29 yards on seven carries.

Cumberland’s defensive leader was Dakoda Boyles who led the team with seven tackles. Nakeem Bland added six tackles of his own, while Rumsey had four tackles.

The Dukes will try again for a win on Friday as they host King & Queen Central High School at 7 p.m.