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Mostly Cloudy Rocks alive despite tough loss
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East Rockaway's Jack Capetola drags down Gary Tamney of Clarke during last Saturday's Conference IV game.
Chavon McIntyre/Herald
East Rockaway’s lost a heartbreaker at Clarke on Saturday, giving up a six-point lead in the fourth quarter and eventually losing 26-18 in overtime.
Despite the loss, the Rocks (3-4 in Conference IV) are still alive for a playoff spot.
In overtime, Clarke’s Gary Tamney provided the difference with a 10-yard touchdown run and a two-point conversion. The Rocks were unable to counter, as the Rams’ Omar Rahman picked off an Andrew Bashford pass on third down to seal the win.
Down 18-12 with less than seven minutes to go from its own 27-yard line, Clarke’s six-minute drive finished with a one-yard touchdown run by Gio O’Campo. A missed extra-point attempt kept the game tied at 18 and led to overtime. Tamney rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns to lead a ground attack that amassed 320 yards.
“East Rockaway has some tough kids in there and a good run game,” Boyle said. “We knew we would have to score some points because they move the ball on every team.”
Things didn’t start out well for East Rockaway, as the Rocks failed to score on their opening drive to the Clarke 10-yard line. They also lost the services of versatile running back Michael Castellano, who left the game because of a shoulder injury. Pajer said on Monday that Castellano’s status is questionable for Saturday’s regular-season finale at home against Cold Spring Harbor at 1:30 p.m.
Down 6-0 at the end of the first quarter, East Rockaway put together three successful scoring drives to go up 18-12 at the half. Bashford put the Rocks on the scoreboard with a 33-yard touchdown pass to David Blessington. They quickly got the ball back after a Clarke turnover and scored on a Brian Lantz goal line burst with about five minutes to go in the half, putting them up 12-6.
A seesaw first half continued, as Clarke tied the game with a 30-yard touchdown scamper by Tamney. The Rocks earned good field position after the ensuing kickoff as sophomore Nick Ulip returned it 50 yards to the Clarke 23. They would score on a Joseph Barbaro run to go up 18-12. Ulip took on more of a load on offense after Castellano’s injury, and contributed with two interceptions on defense. Another sophomore, Mike Lores, pitched in with a blocked punt.
East Rockaway remains within striking distance of a playoff berth in Conference IV, which features eight teams with 3-4 records and three with 4-3 marks. According to the latest standings, the Rocks and Floral Park are tied for eighth place with 97.34 power points.
While the numbers can be confusing, Pajer is simplifying it for his players.
“It’s very simple: we need to go out and win if they want to continue to play,” Pajer said. “We control our destiny.”
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