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Some key returners lead a Windsor High School varsity football team that is looking to record more regular season victories en route to a playoff berth in 2024. 

“Our expectations are to increase our win total, unite as a team and work toward getting into the playoffs,” Dukes Head Coach Benjamin DuBois said.

This is DuBois’ second season as Windsor’s head coach. The team fell short of the playoffs in 2023, finishing 2-8 overall, but those victories were the varsity squad’s first since 2019, according to MaxPreps.com.

The Dukes lost no one from last season due to transfer, but some particularly key players did graduate, including lineman Demond Smith, wide receiver/defensive back Jamari King and linemen Criss Mosley, Chrishon Smith and Zach Gilmore.

However, DuBois highlighted a variety of players he expects to help lead the 2024 Dukes on offense and defense.

On offense, he first noted senior wideout Fleetwood Turner, a team captain who the coach described as “the leader of this program.”

“He totally dedicated himself this year, and it has shown on and off the field,” DuBois said.

Jeremy King returns at quarterback for his junior season. The coach stated that King is a team captain who received honorable mention last year in the Tri-Rivers District and is looking to improve.

Running back Javion Collins returns for his junior campaign after being one of the top rushers in the area in 2023, DuBois said, noting that Collins also received district honorable mention last year.

The coach next put a spotlight on junior offensive lineman Jeremiah Newby, who he described both as a team captain and as the offensive line’s leader.

“He is a three-year starter on the varsity and a role model for the other students,” DuBois said. “He will have his best year.”

The coach also drew attention to junior wideout Hudson Williams, a dual-sport athlete who received district honorable mention in 2023.

Additionally, Williams led off DuBois’ list of players that he expects to help lead the Dukes on defense. Williams plays at the safety position.

“Hudson is the eraser for our football program and fixes a lot of mistakes,” DuBois said.

Newby is a dual-sport athlete that DuBois noted is also the leader on Windsor’s defensive line, with his offseason dedication showing on the field.

The coach next noted that sophomore defensive end Nathan Craun is a transfer student coming to Windsor High School “with a lot of upside and potential and has earned a starting spot.”

DuBois also highlighted junior linebacker Logan Powell, who he described as “our No. 1 offseason warrior who spent the entire offseason getting bigger, faster, stronger.”

Like last season Windsor will play 10 consecutive weeks, with its bye week coming at the conclusion of the regular season. DuBois affirmed that he hopes this week off will serve as a respite prior to a Dukes postseason campaign.

Evaluating his team’s regular season schedule, the coach said, “All of our games are equally as important and tough, and so we do not overlook anyone. Where we would like to greatly improve is during our district schedule, which starts with Franklin. Our goal is to improve each week, give great effort, and never underestimate anyone.”

He noted that the 2024 season “is an important step for our program as we continue to work to improve.”

Windsor opened the season Thursday, Aug. 29, with a 35-27 home win over Arcadia High School. 

The Dukes then went on the road Thursday, Sept. 5, to face King and Queen Central High School, falling 20-12.

Windsor (1-1) returns home Friday, Sept. 13, to host Middlesex High School at 7 p.m.

 

2024 Windsor High School Dukes Schedule

Aug. 29: Arcadia – at home – 7 p.m.

Sept. 5: King and Queen Central – away – 7 p.m.

Sept. 13: Middlesex – at home – 7 p.m.

Sept. 20: Northampton – at home – 7 p.m.

Sept. 27: Franklin – away – 7 p.m.

Oct. 4: Brunswick – away – 7 p.m.

Oct. 11: Sussex Central – at home – 7 p.m.

Oct. 18: Surry County – away – 7 p.m.

Oct. 25: Greensville County – at home – 7 p.m.

Nov. 1: Southampton County – away – 7 p.m.

Nov. 8: Bye