Clarke runs past West Hempstead

After serving as Clarke’s starting quarterback last season and earning All-County honors while helping lead the Rams to the Nassau Conference IV semifinals, Corey Rosenbloom is taking handoffs instead of dishing them out.

Coming out of the backfield last Saturday, Rosenbloom rushed for two touchdowns in the opening quarter to set the tone for Clarke in its 30-10 victory over visiting West Hempstead. His replacement under center, sophomore Sean Russell, making his first varsity start, passed for more than 100 yards including a 57-yard scoring strike to classmate Arton Dalipi.

“We’ve got a strong offensive line and I just look for the gaps,” said Rosenbloom, who opened the scoring with 4:32 remaining in the first quarter with a 39-yard touchdown run. “It’s a good way to start the year,” he added. “We came in expecting a close game. We’re headed to Seaford next week, so we’ll see what we can do.”

West Hempstead (1-1) was coming off a thrilling 15-14 win over Mineola in Week 1 but faced Clarke without starting running back Anthony Galan, a junior dealing with a bout of mono, and senior tailback Corey Terry left midway through the third quarter due to a sprained ankle. Junior Lee Boodoo scored the lone touchdown for the visitors, a 14-yard run late in the fourth quarter.

“We’ve got nine first-year starters, including three sophomores,” West Hempstead head coach Dom Carre said. “We have to keep getting better every week. Today was a low point. We’ve got another game next week and we’ll see how it goes against Cold Spring Harbor.”

Clarke head coach John Boyle was pleased with his team’s effort on both sides of the ball in what was its first action in 2016. The Rams (2-0) received a forfeit a week earlier courtesy of Friends Academy. “I didn’t know what to expect, but our guys really stepped up,” Boyle said. “We were physical on defense and had good pursuit of the ball. It was nice to see the drills we’ve been doing carry into the first game.”

Sophomore Austin Carman had an impressive day for Clarke, which held a 20-0 halftime advantage. Carman’s sack of West Hempstead junior signal-caller Tim Shanley on fourth-and-4 midway through the second quarter led to Russell’s touchdown pass. Carman also added six tackles and a 23-yard touchdown run. 

Shanley’s two-point conversion run with three minutes left helped West Hempstead win its opener. “He’s been consistent and is working hard,” Carre said. “We just want him to relax and not force anything.”

Russell showed plenty of poise in his varsity debut taking snaps from senior James Curran. “Sean played varsity lacrosse in the spring, so he’s got experience at this level,” Boyle said. “He’s cool and calm in the pocket.”

Senior kicker Fransisco Martinez made all four of his extra-point attempts and booted a 27-yard field goal in the third quarter for a 23-0 lead. Senior Brian Cornell and junior Tyler Abbatiello led a ball-hawking defense for the hosts.