By STEVE SINISKI
The Rams, beset by injuries all year, put an exclamation mark on the regular season with touchdowns from four different players. The variety of names in the boxscore was nothing new for Clarke, just another example of how deep the team has become.
³It was a great team win and everyone contributed,² coach John Boyle said. ³It¹s something we¹ve been waiting for where the offense clicks right away.²
The win sets up a first-round home playoff matchup with No. 6 Lynbrook this Saturday at 3 p.m. The two teams met Oct. 6, and the Rams (5-2) came out on top with a 21-20 victory. The Owls take a 3-4 record into the playoffs. Quarterback Ryan Schilt had a key role in the win, scoring once on a 49-yard run and throwing what proved to be the game-winning touchdown. His legs also created one last first down in the closing minutes to help the Rams kill the clock. Though the position was a question mark during the regular season, versatility has helped the first-year starting quarterback turn it into an area of strength for Clarke.
³He¹s done a great job and each week gotten better,² Boyle said. ³He¹s a very good passer but hasn¹t thrown too many touchdowns. He¹s surprised us with his running ability.²
In putting together one of their most complete games of the season last Saturday, the Rams scored on offense, defense and special teams, roaring out of the gates with three touchdowns in the opening quarter. Anthony DeFillipi racked up 103 yards rushing on eight carries, scoring on a 10-yard run in the first quarter, and senior Jordan Spirou also scored before leaving due to injury. Ryan Mackey added a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown, and Matt Shannon chipped in with a safety on a punt block.
³I don¹t know how many smaller schools like ours could have been as successful with all the injuries,² Boyle said. ³Sometimes, kids just came out of nowhere.²
Junior guard Anthony Vigliotti fits Boyle¹s description perfectly. He entered the lineup after an injury to Travis Kakareko and has been an integral part of a Clarke offensive line that¹s paved the way for 16 rushing touchdowns in seven games.
³The biggest thing this year has been injuries,² coach John Boyle said, noting the loss of Spirou early in the Roslyn win. ³We¹ve never had anything like it [at Clarke]. But every time we¹ve had an injury, someone steps up and performs.²
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