Roell leads Seaford over Clarke

Posted

Seaford star running back Danny Roell helped the Vikings seal a 34-6 Homecoming win against Clarke early in the fourth quarter last Saturday while atoning for an earlier mistake.

Roell had a rare fumble on a long third-quarter run that gave momentum to Clarke just after the Rams had reach the end zone for the first time on the day on an Anthony LaRosa touchdown to trail by 15. After the Vikings forced a punt, Roell raced 33 yards on the first play of the fourth quarter to set the Vikings up deep inside Clarke territory. He then capped off the drive with a 10-yard touchdown sprint to Seaford back in command against its Conference IV rival to move to 3-0 on the young season and drop Clarke to 2-1.

“That was a really big momentum push for our team,” Roell said of his run to open the fourth quarter that was part of a day where he carried 24 times for 179 yards. “I didn’t want to mess up again so I just came out firing.”

Roell started off the Seaford offensive barrage with a 3-yard touchdown run on the Vikings’ opening drive and then registered a 34-yard scoring run early in the third quarter for a 21-0 lead. Senior quarterback A.J. Cain also had a big afternoon with 173 yards passing including a 88-yard touchdown to Kevin Murphy in the second quarter that expanded the Vikings’ lead to 14-0.

“That was a big spark early in the game,” said Cain, who also connected on a 50-yard bomb to Andrew Pichet in the third quarter when the Vikings were pinned back at their own 3-yard line.

In a game that featured many big plays, Seaford senior running back Mike Andersen capped off the scoring with a 59-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter for a 34-6 lead. Senior kicker Josh Pinnock, who was crowned homecoming king at halftime, converted four extra point attempts.

Despite only putting up six points, Clarke’s offense had some bright spots including 146 yards from LaRosa with his 44-yard third quarter touchdown run cutting Seaford’s lead to 21-6. Senior running back Corey Rosenbloom garnered 56 yards on the ground

“If this is the best team in the league, which I think they are, then despite the final score I think we played well,” Rams head coach John Boyle said. “We just made too many mistakes to beat a good team.”

Boyle said LaRosa has shown flashes as only a sophomore of being one of the better running backs in Conference IV. LaRosa’s classmate, Sean Russell has shown great command of the offense at the quarterback position early in his varsity career, according to Boyle, and sophomore wide receiver/defensive back Arton Dalipi recorded an interception against Seaford.

“I expect this team to get better,” Boyle said. “They work very hard.”

Seaford looks to remain perfect on the season when it travels to Malverne Friday night for a 7 p.m. kickoff. Clarke returns to the field on Saturday for its annual homecoming game against Valley Stream South starting at 3 p.m.