Sports
Clarkstown South Falls to Ketchem 28-14 (VIDEO)
The undefeated Vikings took their first loss of the year, but immediately turned their attention to the Rams.
The Clarkstown South Vikings took their first loss of the year on Saturday afternoon when they failed to put R.C. Ketchem away when they had them down. The Vikings scored the first 14 points of the game but Ketchem kept fighting and walked away with a 28-14 win over the Vikings.
“Clarkstown South has a program here,” said Ketchem Head Coach Patrick Keevins. “They have a great staff and some great players. It was a battle all the way.”
After pulling ahead 14-0, the Vikings seemed to lose their spark on offense. They were able to move the chains occasionally but unable to sustain a successful drive down field.
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“We did not practice well at all this week,” said Clarkstown South Head Coach Mike Scarpelli. “We just weren’t executing. There are three things a team needs to do: block, tackle and take care of the ball. We weren’t making blocks or tackles and we turned the ball over.”
The Vikings did seem to be going for the throat when they had the lead. Vikings quarterback Ryan McManus was picked off twice in the second quarter, once in the end zone, while trying to make a play down field.
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Those two turnovers were huge. The biggest of all came on a punt. After holding Ketchem defensively and forcing a punt, Vikings return man Zachary Johnson had the ball take an aggressive hop, bounce off his shin and could only watch as it was pounced on by Ketchem.
Ketchem recovered the ball at the Vikings’ 12 yard-line and scored on the next snap to tie the game 14-14.
A number of punts left the ball in Ketchem’s possession with only three minutes remaining in the game.
J.J. Mulvey had been a nuisance for Vikings defensive backs to deal with all game. Mulvey ran a simple 10-yard curl that appeared to be well defended. Vikings defensive back Hassan Autwarter attempted to break up the pass but the ball flew just passed his fingertips and into the hand of Mulvey, who ran the ball into the end zone untouched.
Down 21-14 with 1:15 remaining in the game, the Vikings looked to drive down field and equalize. McManus was doing a solid job of moving the ball and got the Vikings across mid-field. Vikings wide receiver Louis Noia had a ball go off his fingers and fall into the arms of Ketchem defensive back D’Vonte Peters who took the ball to the house and put Ketchem up 28-14 with only seconds remaining. The Vikings fell to 5-1 and Ketchem improved to 2-4 after Saturday’s wild contest.
“We had been kind of cruising all season,” said Vikings center Marty Dipopolo. “I think we were just a bit complacent coming into this one and that can’t happen. No loss is enjoyable but this is definitely a humbling experience.”
The Vikings have plenty left for which to play. Not only are the playoffs on the horizon for Clarkstown South, but they have their archrivals the Rams of Clarkstown North coming up next week. It’s always exciting when the Vikings and Rams lock horns and this time is no different.
“We’re going to have a great week in practice,” said Dipopolo. “We need to focus and give 110 percent in practice all week. We’re coming for North.”
