BRANDYWINE - Dunbar's players and coaches knew their long winning streak would end at some point. They just didn't expect it to end like this.

The top-ranked Poets turned in a mistake-riddled performance in yesterday's season opener against Gwynn Park. Dunbar committed 15 penalties, blew a 10-point halftime lead and gave up 27 second-half points as Gwynn Park rallied for a 33-32 victory.

That win ended Dunbar's two-year, 25-game winning streak. The Poets last lost in the 2006 season against Edmondson and have won two state titles along the way. Coach Lawrence Smith gave his team a clear message afterward: The streak is over, and it's time to move on.

"There was a lot of pressure on them, [but] all the pressure is gone," Smith said. "It's time to get back to the drawing board and get ready for Mervo."

The Poets gave the Yellow Jackets the ball once at the 5-yard line (on a 1-yard punt) and once at the 4 (on a fumble), and Gwynn Park scored touchdowns each time. Another short punt (9 yards) put the Yellow Jackets in business at the Dunbar 45, and they also scored that time.

"We just made too many mistakes," said Dunbar wide receiver Sean Farr. "It's a big wake-up call."

Two-time All-Metro Offensive Player of the Year Tavon Austin was kept quiet, as he ran for 79 yards and caught three passes for 12 yards. Quarterback Jonathan Perry threw two first-half touchdowns to Farr that gave the Poets a 16-6 halftime lead, but Dunbar mistakes helped Gwynn Park score 21 straight points and take a 27-16 lead in the fourth quarter.

Austin ran for a 7-yard touchdown and a two-point conversion with 8:08 left. He then ran for an 11-yard touchdown on the next drive that was set up by an interception by Davon Muse. Muse's two-point conversion run gave Dunbar a 32-27 lead with 6:25 left.

But Gwynn Park quarterback Lavaughn Hughes threw a 74-yard touchdown pass to Curtis Hardy down the left sideline with 3:12 left, and the Yellow Jackets went home happy.

"We worked hard together," Hardy said. "We just got the job done."