The Rosemary Clarke Middle School football team found success running the ball and put together a determined scoring drive Friday, Sept. 4, during a 36-6 loss to Alamo at home in Pahrump.
Quarterback Champ Colon directed the Sharks’ offense throughout the game, while Corday Taylor and Ja’khai Smith handled much of the work on the ground.
RCMS opened the game with consecutive seven-yard carries by Taylor, moving the chains before a high snap disrupted the drive. The Sharks recovered the loose ball, but the lost yardage eventually led to a safety that gave Alamo an early 2-0 advantage.
Alamo followed with a touchdown on a reverse and added the two-point conversion to extend its lead to 10-0. The visitors reached the end zone again later in the opening quarter, building an 18-0 advantage.
The Sharks responded with their strongest drive of the first half. Taylor repeatedly gained ground on runs to the left, right and through the middle, picking up several first downs. Colon also contributed with quarterback keepers, including a fourth-down run that kept the possession alive with less than two minutes remaining.
Taylor finished the drive by fighting through the defense and extending the ball across the goal line for an RCMS touchdown. The two-point attempt was stopped, leaving the Sharks within 18-6 late in the second quarter.
Alamo answered before halftime, scoring on a fake reverse to take a 24-6 lead into the break. The Sharks’ defense prevented the conversion, and the first half ended after RCMS attempted a deep pass that was broken up.
The visitors added another touchdown early in the third quarter, but RCMS again stopped the two-point attempt. On the Sharks’ ensuing possession, Smith broke through the middle for a 13-yard gain after a penalty had placed the offense in a first-and-20 situation.
RCMS continued working to establish its rushing attack throughout the second half. Taylor fought for five yards on a run to the right, Colon added yardage on a quarterback keeper and Smith earned a first down near the end of the third quarter.
The Sharks also received contributions on defense. Taylor chased down an Alamo receiver near the goal line following a long completion, temporarily preventing a touchdown. Smith made the tackle on another unsuccessful two-point conversion, while Mateo Martinez recorded a stop during the fourth quarter.
RCMS opened the final period with another productive series. Colon gained five yards up the middle before Taylor took a toss to the left, weaved through the defense and picked up a first down. Although a fumble ended that possession, the Sharks’ defense responded by forcing a turnover on downs.
Taylor then broke loose for approximately 15 yards on another toss to the left. Later in the drive, Smith absorbed a hard hit near the sideline but gained enough yardage to move the chains and give RCMS another opportunity before time expired.
Despite the final score, the Sharks continued competing through the closing minutes, extending drives with hard running and coming up with several second-half defensive stops.
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