Dukes learning key gridiron lessons
Published 3:50 pm Friday, October 18, 2024
This float is a product of the Windsor High School sophomore class for the school’s 2024 homecoming parade. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Luke Patterson and Tiffany Carr smile for a photo Friday evening, Oct. 11, shortly after having been crowned the 2024 Windsor High School Homecoming King and Queen. (Photo submitted by Dawn Carroll)
The Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office and Windsor Volunteer Fire Department lead off the Windsor High School Homecoming Parade on Friday afternoon, Oct. 11. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Young members of the Windsor High School football program greet spectators during the school’s homecoming parade Friday, Oct. 11. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Representatives of Windsor High School’s cheer team round the corner onto Church Street during the Windsor High School Homecoming Parade on Friday, Oct. 11. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
The Windsor High School Marching Dukes advance down Duke Street onto Church Street during the school’s Oct. 11 homecoming parade. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Miss Teen Isle of Wight County Fair Lana Michelle Janas waves as she participates in the WHS Homecoming Parade on Oct. 11. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Windsor Wildcats Youth Football participants enthusiastically represent the organization at the WHS Homecoming Parade on Oct. 11. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Lillie Anson, WHS 2024 freshman homecoming princess, peaks around some balloons for a photo during the homecoming parade. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Windsor High School student Jonathan Orilio, 2024 freshman homecoming prince at the school, participates in the Oct. 11 parade. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Reese Nolan, 2024 Windsor High School sophomore homecoming princess, waves while participating in the parade. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Payton and Gunnar Hall help represent the Windsor High School sophomore class during the school’s homecoming parade. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Sydney Brinkley, WHS 2024 junior homecoming princess, gives away candy amid the homecoming parade. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Addison Blair Rogers, 2024 Windsor High School junior homecoming princess, waves to onlookers while progressing through the parade. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Tykia Shearrin, 2024 WHS senior homecoming princess, waves to the crowd amid the school’s homecoming parade Friday, Oct. 11. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Windsor High School 2024 Senior Homecoming Prince Jamie Porter has a notably high vantage point from his seat above a pickup truck during the Oct. 11 parade. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Windsor High School 2024 Senior Class Prince Luke Patterson and Princess Tiffany Carr take part in the Oct. 11 parade. They were ultimately crowned as homecoming king and queen. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Fleetwood Turner, 2024 WHS senior homecoming prince, could not be present for the Windsor High School Homecoming Parade, but he was represented by an impressive photographic cutout. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Windsor High School’s junior class helps represent the homecoming parade’s theme of “The Roaring Dukes Paint the Town Blue.” (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Windsor High School’s varsity football team, left, takes on visiting Sussex Central High School on Friday, Oct. 11, during the Dukes’ homecoming game. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Windsor High School junior Jeremy King keeps his eyes focused on options downfield moments before an apparent run play becomes a pass play Friday, Oct. 11, during the Dukes’ homecoming game. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Windsor High School junior Hudson Williams rolls left with the ball against visiting Sussex Central High School on Friday, Oct. 11. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
From left, Windsor High School defenders junior Carl Powell, junior Jeremiah Newby, No. 51, and junior Edgar Rodriguez take down the Sussex Central High School ball carrier. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Rumbling for some tough yardage Friday, Oct. 11, is Windsor High School junior Carl Powell. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Windsor High School senior Fleetwood Turner and a Sussex Central High School defender vie for possession of the football on a pass into the end zone. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Defending a Sussex Central High School receiver is Windsor High School junior Edgar Rodriguez. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Windsor High School freshman Jake Nolan looks to make a play with the ball against visiting Sussex Central High School on Friday, Oct. 11. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
A large crowd is present Friday night, Oct. 11, for the Windsor High School varsity football team’s homecoming game against visiting Sussex Central High School. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
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Windsor High School’s varsity football team was not able to finish its homecoming game the way it wanted to Friday night, Oct. 11, but the Dukes still created highlights and ignited hope for the future of the program amid the other homecoming festivities that weekend.
The WHS Homecoming Parade took place on streets bordering the school at 5:30 p.m. Friday with the theme “The Roaring Dukes Paint the Town Blue.” Luke Patterson and Tiffany Carr were crowned homecoming king and queen at halftime of the Dukes’ game.
The game itself pitted Windsor against Sussex Central High School, and the Dukes took a 12-8 lead into halftime.
Windsor Head Coach Benjamin DuBois indicated that the game illustrated the importance of learning to maintain and win.
“We are predominantly a young team and losing anyone, making mistakes and not having the same effort at the end catches up to us,” he said. “Especially the last few weeks.”
Sussex Central was able to score 22 unanswered points in the second half Friday to pull away for a 30-12 win.
“We have learned to play defense, we have learned to come out fast on the scoreboard, and we have learned to keep fighting, and now we just have to keep pushing to finish the same way,” DuBois said.
The coach highlighted several of his players who stood out Friday.
“Jeremy King gets better and better every week as he gets more comfortable and familiar with the kids on the team,” DuBois said of his junior quarterback. “I am hoping next year it happens earlier, but it’s going to be nice to see how he finishes this year. Fleetwood Turner has had some great games the past few weeks, and Hudson Williams and Logan Powell are our utility guys that can do it all.”
DuBois noted that Windsor’s offensive line is full of freshmen, sophomores and one junior.
“So it will be fun to continue seeing them grow,” he said.
Dukes junior tailback and team captain Cage DeBruyne was able to take the field for an inspirational exhibition play right after halftime began.
DeBruyne navigates via wheelchair due to having cerebral palsy, and while this prevents him from contributing to the team in some conventional ways, he has proven a key contributor in others, like dedication, work ethic and leadership. After giving DeBruyne the opportunity to join the team, DuBois was impressed by Cage’s faithfulness to attending and participating in workouts, practices and scrimmages and also by his overall investment in the program, which earned him his team captain status.
When DeBruyne was able to take the field for an exhibition play Friday, he scored, with support from Sussex Central.
“The Cage halftime score was more than I expected, as Sussex kids did it great without us telling them,” DuBois said. “Not sure what their coach said to them, but I had to thank him for that afterwards.”
The Dukes (1-6) visit Surry County High School (2-5) on Friday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m.
Reflecting on Windsor’s season now seven games in, DuBois said, “We had some injuries and some other circumstances that have kept us from being full strength this year, and with a team this size, we cannot afford too many.”
However, across both the varsity and junior varsity teams, the program is expanding.
“Last year we had 30-plus kids, and this year we have almost 50-plus, so I hope that maintains or grows,” DuBois said. “I think the Windsor Dukes are growing, and the future looks bright as long as we maintain our discipline, commitment and effort.”
