By Steve Siniski
It was a see-saw triple-overtime battle that should go down as one of the most entertaining--and heart-stopping--playoff games in Nassau County history.
That No. 2-seeded Clarke came out on top 34-28 and earned its first playoff victory since 1997, only makes the ending even sweeter for the Rams, who entered 2003 with a giant target on their back as the top-ranked team in Conference IV.
Clarke fought not only the Indians, but also the elements, namely a tropical storm-like wind that did its best to ground the passing and kicking games last Thursday at Hofstra University's Shuart Stadium.
The Rams overcame all the obstacles and made the necessary adjustments after their defense allowed 146 yards rushing on 22 carries in the first half. Perhaps no player best exudes the toughness of Clarke better than the player who ended Manhasset's hopes with an interception in the third overtime--Larry Buffalino.
He had played the part of potential hero several times, but had also taken his lumps throughout the game.
The memory of his 29-yard scoring run in the final minute of the third quarter to give the Rams a 21-14 lead was erased by a fumble inside the Manhasset red zone. Defensively, he was picked on by Indians quarterback Brian Zaremba on a few occasions because of a near seven-inch height difference with receiver Chris Connolly.
Buffalino, though, proved to be up to the task. He picked off a Zaremba pass in the first half and nosed his way in to recover a fumble in the third quarter as well.
The fumble recovery came just two plays after he was flagged for pass interference. When Manhasset tried to pick up a crucial first down on 2nd-and-20 in the third overtime, it was Buffalino who jumped the receiver's route and sealed the win with his second interception of the day, grabbing the pass at the Clarke 10-yard line.
"He's the type that's athletically competitve," Clarke coach John Boyle said. "We weren't afraid to go to him and we knew he'd keep at it. He never quit and he's competitive in every sense."
Of course, Buffalino was one of several heroes in the victory.
Senior quarterback Joe Barracato played the role of Cool Hand Luke to perfection. How cool you ask? Just two plays after being driven to the turf in the third quarter to the point that he could barely lift his non-throwing arm, Barracato launched a perfect 65-yard strike to Mike Palmer for the touchdown that evened the score at 14-14 in the third quarter.
Along with 126 yards rushing (and a pair of scoring runs), Barracato completed 5 of 8 throws for 134 yards and had a number of perfectly executed shovel passes when the Rams were working against the wind.
He set up the winning score in the third overtime with a 13-yard pass on third-and-8 that Billy Palka pulled off his shoe tops and ran down to the Manhasset 5. On the very next play, Mike Grimes bulled his way into the end zone.
The defense, too, came up in a big way, limiting the Indians to just seven points and 86 yards rushing on 21 carries in final two quarters and three overtimes.
Cornerback Steven Stewart batted away four passes, including three in the fourth quarter alone. "We came out and let the defensive line play," Boyle said, of the adjustments that were made at halftime. "And we came with some more blitzes."
