Farmington Hills Harrison High School broke Clarkston’s heart Friday, spoiling the Wolves? perfect season.
After losing to Harrison 14-13, Clarkston Varsity football team will be going in to Division 1 Playoffs with a 8-1 record.
With no points on the scoreboard after the the first quarter, Harrison scored their first touchdown in the second. Quarterback Craig Sacha passed to Bruce Horner, who ran for cone, stopped at the one-yard line. Buddy Griggs ran the ball into Clarkston’s endzone three minutes into the quarter. Udday Kalasho kicked for the extra point.
Harrison scored their second touchdown with 3:23 left in the third quarter. Norman Shuford ran 55 yards to make the touchdown. With another one point kick from Udday Kalasho, the Hawks brought the score to 14-0.
With zero points on the score board, and Harrison beginning to run the clock in the last 10 minutes of the game, the Wolves started to put up a fight.
At 3:19 left in the fourth, Joey Preston caught a 40-yard pass from quarterback Nick Shamoun ran to Harrison’s endzone, scoring a long awaited touchdown. With Erik Thompson kicking the extra point through the goal posts, Clarkston brought the score to 14-7.
With the time on the scoreboard ticking down the last minute and 29 seconds, Chad Blackstone scored the Wolves? second touchdown.
Instead of going for the extra point to tie the game and force overtime, they went for the win with a two-point conversion. It was not to be ? they ran short and were unable to score the two points.
‘It was a tough loss,? Coach Kurt Richardson said. ‘Harrison matches up well with us, we knew it would be a fight.?
Shuford was the gainer for Harrison with 161 yards on 23 carries. Clarkston’s Jimmy Popp was held to 21 yards on 13 carries.
The Wolves outgained Harrison on total offense with 349 to 326 yards.
Clarkston picked up 10 first downs and went 10 of 18 passing, while Harrison had 11 first downs, connecting 5 of 11 passes.
Each team had two fumbles. Clarkston committed 35 yards in penalties while Harrison committed 40 yards.
In preparation for their next game, Coach Richardson said they are ‘putting in new wrinkles.?
The Wolves Division 1 Playoff game versus Utica Eisenhower High School will be this Friday. Kickoff will be at 7 p.m.