They may have a small roster, but the Windsor Dukes senior football team has been putting up big points all year on their way to an undefeated record heading into the AA provincial playoffs.
The Dukes got to stay at home last weekend, enjoying a well-earned bye in the opening round of the playoffs following a 5-0 run in regular season play that saw them outscore their opponents by an average of 30 points per game. This weekend they will jump back into action against Clarence Fulton Secondary (time and location TBD), a Vernon team coming off a big 40-0 win over Samuel Roberts Technical.
“We are excited and looking forward to the post season,” head coach Jim Schuman told the North Shore News. “Our players are executing game plans well and we have great confidence in our abilities and style of play.”
The Dukes, ranked No. 1 in the province heading into the playoffs, are charging in despite fielding an official roster of just 24 players, a number which can shrink with injuries. Earlier this season Howard Tsumura of the Varsity Letters website wrote that the Dukes had just 12 healthy players with any previous football experience, and were just one or two injuries away from having to cancel their season. With their first playoff date just days away, however, Schuman said the Dukes are ready to go.
“Playing with a limited roster is a reality that all AA teams have to face and we are no different in that regard,” he said. “Fortunately we have a very strong core group of players with exceptional character and who have shouldered the burden of enhanced roles, responsibilities and playing time.”
All of the team’s core players play offence and defence, including quarterback Ryan Baker, who along with taking every snap for the Dukes was also named the conference MVP for defence for his work as a linebacker.
“The adversity, struggles, problems and difficulties that these players have managed to endure has made them a very resilient team,” said Schuman. “We are not the biggest squad but we make up for that with lots of athleticism, speed, and pound-for-pound toughness. Every one contributes in a meaningful way; we have no passengers along for the ride.”
The team’s seasoned core has tasted success before, as many of the senior Dukes won provincial gold at the junior level in 2015. Baker was the quarterback of that team as well, earning MVP honours in the championship game. This season he was third in the league in both rushing and passing, racking up 495 yards on the ground and 783 yards through the air in five league games.
“He has a unique combination of size, speed, quickness and football IQ not often seen at the high school level,” said Schuman.
Another standout is Julien Perri, who was named the conference’s offensive MVP after making nine touchdown catches in five games, averaging 90 receiving yards per game.
“He is a fantastic athlete with great ball skills,” said Schuman.
Receiver Ben McMichael was named a conference all-star, partnering with Perri and Baker to provide a potent rushing and passing attack.
Linemen Christian Capuno, Mitch Townsend and Colby Lalonde also earned conference all-star honours, with Jeremy Sinclair joining in to provide a strong presence at the line on offence and defence.
“Each of them lived in the weight room in the off season and they are all highly athletic and mobile,” said Schuman. “Our identity begins with them through their work ethic.”
With their playoffs starting this weekend, the Dukes are hoping that their big talent will outweigh their small roster on their way to a possible berth in the AA championship game.
• • •
Elsewhere on the gridiron the Argyle Pipers, another high-ranked AA team, battled their way to a 22-14 playoff win over the Prince George Secondary Polars, the champions of the Northern Conference. The Pipers beat the Polars in their natural element, winning the matchup played in snowy conditions Saturday in Vernon. The Pipers will now have to take on another bear, as they’ll play Chilliwack’s G.W. Graham Grizzlies this weekend.
On the AAA side the Handsworth Royals saw their season come to an end Friday in Cloverdale, losing 56-17 against Seaquam Secondary.
Visit bchighschoolfootball.com for full scores and updated schedules.
