The Wolves looked past the moisture on their helmets as the rain came down heavier and faster on the field Friday night. The gridiron gang focused on Rochester Adams and what they needed to prove on the Highlanders ground.
They kept Adams down and won the season opener, 6-3, proving the Wolves defense is ready to fight.
‘We were getting to the ball and we were hitting people,? said Kurt Richardson, going into his 23rd season as head coach. ‘We didn’t do that last year. We didn’t tackle and that was all we talked about all winter long. We’re not where we want to be, but we are getting there.?
The key to the Wolves defense was senior defensive back Andrew Schram – intercepting two passes and recovering a fumble.
‘He was outstanding,? said Richardson.
‘There is a lot of dedication and hard work from all of the players,? said Schram. ‘We have a lot of seniors. It’s our last year and we want to make something of it.?
Defensive Coordinator Tony Miller added dedication, determination and hard work during the off season led the boys to their first victory.
‘The whole off season people talked about how bad defense was last year and those kids took it to heart because we are not that bad,? said Miller.
Miller was impressed with the defense line’s pop, which cuased five Adams turnovers.
‘We haven’t had guys fly to the ball like that for years,? he said. ‘Andrew made a lot of outstanding plays. He is our little invader out there and he showed it.?
The Highlanders were equally ready for Clarkston’s offense.
Clarkston’s only scoring came off the foot of Junior Brian Benway. Benway connected on two field goals in the second quarter.
Benway made his first from the 30-yard-line at 7:30 and his second from the 36-yard-line as the scoreboard counted down the remaining minute. Adams hit a field goal in the third, to end the games scoring.
‘We won and against a team like Adams. I have all the respect in the world for Tony Patrittoand his program and that’s a huge win for us,? said Richardson. ‘We made a ton of mistakes. We have so many things we have to correct. But like I told the kids, a win is a win. It’s a win that propels you.?

Look out Redhawks

The boys head to Troy-Athens this Friday for an OAA Red league game.
‘They are going to be tough on us and we never play well out there,? said Richardson. ‘We have our work cut out.?
Athens also won their season opener when they beat Stoney Creek, 17-7.
‘Defense just needs to keep it up,? said Schram looking ahead. ‘We don’t need to get too cocky, but we need to make sure we keep playing, keep our heads and keep hitting hard.?
Schram predicted defense will be better for the upcoming game.
‘We would like to keep getting better every single week if we want to make a run for the playoffs start,? said Miller. ‘We feel like we still have to improve every single week and I feel confident we will.?
Kickoff at 7 p.m. and is at Troy-Athens High School, 4333 John R, in Troy.