High School Sports

Seaford conquers Clarke in heat 

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Facing hot and humid conditions, Seaford football thrived playing in the heat Saturday during a key early-season Conference IV matchup at Clarke.

The Vikings began the game with a 12-play drive that ate up nearly half of the first quarter capped off by a Danny Roell 14-yard touchdown run and never looked back in a 26-7 win.  The opening minutes set the tone for Seaford dominating time-of-possession with a potent running game that kept Clarke’s defense on the field for long stretches.

  “It was very tough playing conditions with the heat and humidity all week and our kids showed that they are tough,” said Seaford head coach Rob Perpall. “We have tough kids.”

Roell was not fazed playing under the hot sun running for 225 yards on 28 carries. His 33-yard run late in Seaford’s second drive set up a 30-yard touchdown run by quarterback Andrew Cain in which he escaped a sack from two defenders and bulldozed into the end zone for a 13-0 lead.

  Seaford’s rushing attack was also paced by 95 yards from Frank Lauretti on 15 carries and 80 yards by Cain. The sophomore signal-caller converted a 1-yard quarterback keeper late in the third quarter that stretched Seaford’s lead to 19-0.

  “They were just banging and banging and banging,” said Perpall of the running game. “We have guys that can play.”

Seaford also shined defensively by preventing Clarke’s ground attack led by All-County senior Aaron Dawson from getting momentum. A 35-yard touchdown run by Dawson early in the fourth quarter that cut the lead to 19-7 was the Rams’ only big offensive gain of the day.

  “They shut us down in the first half and they took away a lot of things we think we do pretty well,” said Clarke head coach John Boyle. “We had a couple injuries on the offensive line that hurt us, but they played very good defense.”

  The Vikings quickly answered the Clarke touchdown with a 45-yard gain from Roell that set up a two-yard touchdown run from Ryan Lynch. Kicker Jack Supinski’s second converted extra point on the afternoon made the final score 26-7.

  Perpall credited holding down Clarke’s rushing attack to preparation from  his defensive coordinator George Duquette. Jack Lasher and Nick Couvaris both recorded interceptions and Nick Calandra had two sacks.

  “He had these guys all week locked up in a barrel,” said Perpall of Duquette. “He does a great job.” 

  Dawson was held in check by Seaford a week after running for 233 yards in a season-opening 37-21 win at Carle Place. Corey Rosenbloom and Anthony Buffalino also had big running days in the Rams’ first game.

  “Seaford is the one seed and we played tough for awhile so we have to take some positives from this game,” said Boyle. “If this is the best team in the league then we are right there with them once we improve.”

  Clarke (1-1) is next in action at home against Malverne this Saturday at 2 p.m. Seaford (2-0), which defeated Cold Spring Harbor 34-6 in its first game, hosts East Rockaway Saturday at 6 p.m. in the Homecoming game.