Comets rebound with 35-14 win
over East Ascension Spartans

The Comets made their first home game of the season a memorable one with a 35-14 win over the East Ascension Spartans. The game had several swings in momentum created by big plays and mistakes by both teams. In the end it was the Comets who capitalized the most with a 94 yard kickoff return, three turnovers by the defense and an opportunistic offense who put up points when they needed to.

East Ascension opened the game with a ball possession type of drive that would be a sign of things to come. Facing a 4^th and three on the Comet 42, the Spartans fell a yard short and turned the ball over to the Comets.

The Comet offense moved 60 yards in 12 plays on their first drive with Jonathan Cancienne scoring on a 1 yard run. Chris Ilski’s PAT put the Comets on top 7-0 with 1:57 to go in the 1^st quarter.

EA continued to use ball control offense moving into the Comet territory where they eventually punted. Cancienne’s return put the Comets in business at the 27. The Comets were unable to make a first down and had to punt back to the Spartans.

The Spartans then moved 70 yards in 11 plays for their first touchdown. A bad snap on the PAT enabled the Comets to retain the lead 7-6.

Jonathan Cancienne’s 47 yard kickoff return set the Comets up in Spartan territory right before half. Four plays later quarterback Vincent Rollo completed a 27 yard touchdown pass to a wide open Demarcus Bernard. Illski’s PAT put the Comets on top 14-6.

Matt Murphy intercepted a Spartan pass with only 22 second left in the half. That gave the Comets another scoring opportunity with just a few seconds left in the half. Ilski attempted a 51 yard field goal that just missed to the right.

The second half started with a bang as Cancienne returned the kickoff 94 yards for a score. The PAT by Ilski put the Comets on top 21-6.

The Spartans returned the ensuing kickoff to midfield and marched all the way to the Comet 2 yard line. Linebacker Johnny Fisse caused a fumble that was recovered by linebacker Luke Fissette. It only took the Comet offense 5 plays to get back on the scoreboard as Cancienne ran around right end on a toss play, cut back across the grain and galloped 87 yards for the TD. Ilski’s PAT gave the Comets 28-6 lead midway through the 3^rd quarter.

The Spartans did not take long to get their second touchdown as running back Robert Williams scored on a 40 yard run just three plays after another good kickoff return put the Spartans in good field position.  A two point conversion cut the Comet lead to 28-14.

The Comets next possession started on their own 33 yard line. The Comets moved to the Spartan 25 and faced a 3^rd and 9. Quarterback Vincent Rollo scrambled, broke a tackle and found a wide open Devin Snyder for 25 yard touchdown.

Neither team scored in the 4^th quarter and  the game ended with the Comets on top 35-14. Jonathan Cancienne had a big night with 311 all-purpose yards, 160 rushing and 151 returned yards. Rollo completed 11 of 14 passes for 160 yards and two touchdowns.

The Comets face their 4^th consecutive 5A opponent when the host the St. Amant Gators in Dupuy stadium. Kickoff is at 7 .pm .