Rock Island scored first in overtime, on Garr Tarr’s 4-yard run, but Sterling Newman answered with Daniel Kelly’s 5-yard run and 2-point conversion run, to give the Comets (3-1) a 22-20 win at Rock Island. The Rocks remain winless, dropping a non-conference contest that had replaced Alleman on the schedule.
Tarr took the opening kickoff 85 yards to the end zone to put the Rocks in front 7-0. The Comets failed to get a first down against Rocky’s defense on their first four possessions, but broke through with a 20-yard TD pass from QB Evan Bushman to Isaiah Williams and a 2-point conversion run for an 8-7 lead with 4:30 left in the 2nd quarter. Rock Island recovered a fumble at the Comets’ 31 with 2:31 until halftime, and cashed in when Jav’eion Clark-Pugh (9-for-17 passing for 68 yards, with 2 INTs) lofted a pass to a wide open Joe Allen in the corner of the end zone for a 14-yard TD to go up 14-8.
But Sterling Newman returned the favor, recovering a Tarr fumble at the Rocks’ 41, turning it into a 1-yard TD run by Cody McBride to tie the game with 8:39 left. The Rocks’ defense stopped McBride on the conversion attempt, keeping the game tied at 14 and leading to the overtime. Tarr finished with 84 yards rushing, including the overtime TD, on 23 carries, and was named the Hungry Hobo Rock Island Rocks Player of the Game.
Rock Island (0-4, 0-1 in WB6 play) visit their long time rivals, the Moline Maroons (1-3, 0-2), with both teams looking for their first conference victory. QCSportsNet.com will have live play-by-play coverage, presented by Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Homes and Crematory.