Dunbar Clinches Division Crown

More Confident White Throws Four Touchdown Passes in Win Over Coolidge

Tyree White knows he could not have played like this a year ago, or maybe even in September.

Over the past five weeks, however, the Dunbar senior quarterback has learned to be a little more patient and try not to make a big play on every throw. As a result, White has been making plenty of big plays, including four touchdown passes in last night's 34-27 home victory over Coolidge that clinched the D.C. Interscholastic Athletic Association West Division title.

White, who's in his second year as a starter, completed seven of his first 10 throws for 161 yards and three touchdowns to stake Dunbar to a 21-6 halftime lead. The Crimson Tide was in control throughout, though Coolidge scored 15 points in the final three minutes and had possession when time expired.

"My confidence went up," White said, comparing this season with last. "I went through a rough patch, but now I'm not forcing things."

Coolidge entered the game as the only DCIAA team with a winning record, and some thought this was the Colts' chance to assert themselves as the favorites this postseason. After starting the season with five consecutive losses, Dunbar (5-5, 4-0) has rebounded to win five straight and show it is not ready to relinquish its hold on the DCIAA. The Crimson Tide has played in the past 10 Turkey Bowls, winning eight, including last season.

"We circled this game on the calendar," Dunbar Coach Craig Jefferies said. "We knew it was important."

Dunbar went up 14-0 late in the first quarter after White hit senior Deon Long on a pair of 19-yard touchdown passes. White found Chris Jefferies on a 25-yard touchdown pass three minutes into the second quarter to make it 21-0.

White "throws a bullet now," said Long, who caught a 50-yard pass on the second play of the game. "He's anticipating things better. He's just listening and taking advice and it's helping him."

With Dunbar up 34-12, Coolidge (7-2, 2-1) took over with 4 1/2 minutes left. Ninety seconds later, Colts quarterback Emmanuel Yeager ran for a seven-yard touchdown. After Coolidge recovered an onside kick, Yeager scored on 12-yard run three plays later to make it 34-27 with 1 minute 49 seconds left. Although the Colts couldn't recover another onside kick, they forced Dunbar to punt. But Coolidge couldn't get the ball past midfield before time expired.

"We just don't quit," Coolidge Coach Jason Lane said. "But it's good to get a good test like this before the big dance."

Dunbar 34, Coolidge 27

Guests of Honor: D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and City Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray, a Dunbar alumnus, were on the sidelines.

Playing for Turkey: The likely DCIAA semifinal matchups will be Dunbar-Ballou and Coolidge-H.D. Woodson, on Nov. 15 at Cardozo.