Photo by Graham Cullen
Tuscarora?s Dominic Clarke attempts to break free of a tackle during the first quarter of the Titans? victory over Frederick.
Dominic Clarke had never returned kicks for Tuscarora.Did Jackarie Jackson return any?
"Jackarie did for one game, and we took him out to rest him," Tuscarora coach Shawn Carey said. "But we're not going to do that anymore."
While Clarke and Jackson were already stars, they both added the role of "dangerous returner" to their football r?sum?s on Friday.
Clarke returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown, and Jackson ran back a punt 60 yards for a touchdown in Tuscarora's dominant 40-6 win over Frederick in the season-opener for both teams.
While it was a stellar start for the Titans, none of their fans were in the stadium to celebrate the win. Spectators were ordered to evacuate the stadium during the third quarter after several fights erupted.
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Tuscarora didn't waste any time seizing momentum. Clarke saw to that. The Ohio State-bound senior raced 90 yards for the first touchdown return of his career.
"When I got the ball in my hands, I knew I had to make a big play," said Clarke, whose speed wasn't the only thing that created the touchdown. "I'd have to be blind not to see that hole. It was huge."