Clarke Wins Conference III Nassau Championship

The W. Tresper Clarke High School Football Rams claimed the 1997 Nassau Conference III Championship.

The Rams won the title by routing Wantagh by a score of 34-14 in the title game recently held at Hofstra Stadium in Hempstead. The victory not only avenged last year's semifinal loss to Wantagh, but also propelled the Rams into the Long Island Conference III Championship game against West Babylon. Unfortunately, the Ram's impressive run ended on a cold, rainy afternoon at the hands of Suffolk Conference III Champs North Babylon.

Nonetheless, this marked the third year in a row that the Clarke Rams have made it to the Nassau Championship final four. Before falling to Wantagh in last year's semifinal, the Rams lost to Manhasset in the Class II semifinal in 1995. Their final record for this season was nine wins and two losses, with the only other loss coming at the hands of Bethpage.

Ram's Quarterback Kevin Pierce is this year's winner of Newsday's Thorp Award, which recognizes the best high school football player in Nassau County. Against Wantagh, Kevin completed 13 of 18 passes for 185 yards and three touchdowns, while running for another.