An injury to their star running back and early season jitters hurt the Gloucester Dukes as Woodside dealt the hometown varsity football squad a season-opening loss on Saturday, 38-25.

“The first half went according to plan,” said coach John Scalf, whose team played held Woodside’s potent offense to only 12 points in the opening two quarters.

Senior running back Joren Brown racked up over 100 yards and a touchdown on only five carries and the Dukes were a missed field goal away from taking a lead into halftime.

On the Dukes’ lone touchdown of the first half, Brown took the ball across the goal line and about seven yards deep in the end zone before a late horse-collar tackle from a Woodside defender brought him to the turf, according to Scalf.

Brown was injured on the play and was unable to return.

Scalf stopped short of calling the play dirty but was of the opinion that it was unnecessary. “But he [Joren Brown] will play this Friday night,” the c...