Clarke rallies to beat Malverne

Everything clicked for Clarke in the second half.

The Rams scored 13 unanswered points and used some defensive heroics to seal a 13-9 comeback victory over host Malverne in a Conference IV game last Saturday.

With the Mules driving in the closing seconds for the go-ahead score, Clarke’s Billy Ruland and Nick Dicamillo combined to sack Corey Alexander, who fumbled inside the Rams’ 10-yard line. Nick Johnson pounced on it to preserve the win for the visitors, who improved to 2-1.

“I have to look at the tape again, it was so exciting at the end,” Clarke coach John Boyle said. “The sack was definitely big.”

At the half, Malverne (0-3) led 9-0 thanks to a 32-yard field goal by Alexander and a 25-yard touchdown pass from Tyrae Kelly to Quintrel Chambers. Initially, the Mules’ defense stifled the Rams, holding senior Brandon Abbott to 25 first-half rushing yards.

But the rushing attack of Abbott and the offensive line appeared to wear down the Malverne defense. Clarke put together an impressive drive that included several runs by Abbott and a 15-yard pass from quarterback Mike Martiello to Justin Ragusa. Abbott capped off the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run, and with the extra point, the Malverne lead was cut to 9-7. 

A three-and-out effort by Clarke’s defense to open the fourth quarter quickly forced Malverne to punt from deep in its own territory, as Abbot sacked Alexander on third-and-long from the Mules’ 15-yard line. 

The Rams started the next drive with prime field position, as Ragusa returned the punt to Malverne’s 40-yard line. Another scoring drive was capped off by a two-yard touchdown burst by Abbott, putting the Rams up 13-9 with 7:30 left. A fake extra-point attempt was unsuccessful. 

Down by four with 2:11 remaining, Malverne needed to go 84 yards for the win. On fourth-and-10 from its own 35, Alexander converted a clutch 28-yard pass to Marcus Montgomery.