Sweeney's big recovery helps Roosevelt roll
Roosevelt H.S. running back Donte Colter crosses the goal line for the second time in the first half against Malverne. (Sept. 11, 2010) Credit: Jack McCoy
It was a scene reminiscent of the one from the movie Forrest Gump, when Forrest needs to be told to run when he catches a kickoff.
Roosevelt's Robert Sweeney knew he was supposed to run with the ball. He just didn't expect it to be in his hands.
Malverne had first-and-goal from the Roosevelt 9 midway through the third quarter looking to make it a one-score game. But a fumble bounced straight into Sweeney's hands and he returned it 39 yards to his own 44.
Seven plays later, Donte Colter scored the last of his three touchdowns and host Roosevelt rolled to a 28-0 win in each team's Nassau Conference IV football opener Saturday.
"I was shocked that it came to my hands, so I paused for a second," Sweeney, an outside linebacker, said. "That was a real game-changer. Everybody said I was running slow, but I was still in shock."
Malverne gained possession by recovering a Roosevelt fumble on the first play from scrimmage in the second half and drove the ball down to the 9.
"We finally get a drive when we executed," said Malverne coach Kito Lockwood, "and the back just wasn't ready for the ball. When you continue to shoot yourself in the foot, you won't score any points."
It came as no surprise that Roosevelt built its lead behind Colter, a 190-pound bruising running back. He rushed for 100 yards on 13 carries. His first TD came when he bounced an off-tackle run outside left and took it five yards 5:28 into the game. His second scoring run was a 22-yard burst through a gigantic hole through the middle of the Mules' defense.
"Our line was just working hard," Colter said, "and we just kept pushing the ball down the field."
Quarterback Erin Parker ran for 64 of Roosevelt's 235 yards on the ground, and added another 36 through the air. Teddy Santana capped the scoring on a 7-yard end around.
"The 1-2 punch of Erin and Donte is going to be devastating," said Roosevelt coach Joe Vito. "Donte's a bull. We want him to get in the hole and be a tough guy."
After the game, the Roosevelt players headed to Stony Brook to see alums Jawara Dudley, a linebacker for the Seawolves, and Mike Mayo, a running back for American International, play against each other.
