The gridiron gang of Clarkston High has officially earned bragging rights, after they defeated arch-rival Lake Orion Dragons 21-19, and earned the OAA Red Division league title with an undefeated 8-0 record.
‘Typical Clarkston-Orion game. They were pretty banged up but they did a great job of putting their game plan together. It was a battle, it always is,? said Clarkston coach Kurt Richardson. ‘If we see them again (in the playoffs) it will be another classic match-up. It’s fun, these games are fun.?
Lake Orion (5-3) opened the game by recovering their own kickoff, after recovering a fumble on Clarkston’s first play of the game with 11:45 still on the clock.
On fourth and three, the Dragon’s A.J. Palko was able to gain a first down on the 10-yard line. As the Dragon’s fought their way to the 1-yard line, they decided to risk another fourth down play in hopes of a touchdown.
However, the Wolves? defense proved strong enough to hold Palko back from the end zone forcing a turnover. Both teams battled back and fourth as the first quarter drew to a close with no points on the board.
In the second quarter, the Dragons found themselves once again on the Wolves 1-yard line, determined not to turn the ball over again. Branden Oakes rushed for a touchdown, putting the lead at 6-0 with 9:46 on the clock. The extra-point was blocked.
The Wolves, not losing any focus with 7:46 left in the half, took the lead after Jimmy Popp ran a 2-yard touchdown.
As the teams? battle continued, Clarkston saw one last chance before the half to get another touchdown, when Nick Shamoun threw a 22-yard pass to Erik Thompson, who was tackled inches away from the goal line.
‘I was real frustrated going into the second half with a couple drops I had, but everyone in the locker room kept telling me keep your head up, keep your head up, be patient and it will come, it finally came,? said Thompson.
Thompson found his opportunity late in the third quarter when he was able to run 82 yards to add six more points on the board. An extra-point brought the lead to 14-6.
‘Our strategy all year has been to outlast the other team and when they get tired,? said Thompson. ‘We all have faith in our lineman ? they can move guys and give us a hole and we got it. It was just a great call by the coaches.?
Lake Orion found an opportunity to get six more points with 7:37 left in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Ryan Broth rushed a touchdown on fourth and goal, but a failed two-point conversion left the Dragons? deficit at two points, 14-12.
The Wolves found themselves in scoring position again at the two-yard line after Shamoun threw a 49-yard pass to Julius Porter. Jimmy Popp got another two-yard touchdown with 3:27 left in the game.
After Thompson kicked the extra-point, the Wolves held their total at 21 points. However, the Dragons found one more opportunity to score a touchdown and an extra-point with 22 seconds left in the game.
After Clarkston recovered an onside kick, they took a knee, letting the clock count down to their league championship. Popp had 101 yards rushing with 21 carries.
‘They made key plays when they needed to ? even when we would pull within two, they’re able to put a drive together and go down and score,? said Lake Orion Head Coach Chris Bell.
The Clarkton defense forced Lake Orion to four, fourth-down turnovers.
‘We felt that we moved the ball, we just didn’t cash in drives late. Short yard situations, they did a nice job defending us and I think that’s the difference in the ball game,? said Bell.
Bell said they are still hoping to make the playoffs.
‘I’m proud of my kids, proud of their effort. The kids played hard and they have nothing to hang their heads about, they know they came in here and slugged it out and went toe to toe. If we see them again, I like our chances. If we see them again, same type of game, slug it out, here we go, and see who’s left standing.?
Clarkston will close out the regular season as they travel to Farmington Hills Harrison next week. If the Wolves win, this would be their first undefeated season since 2000. The win could also mean Clarkston would get to play their first three weeks of state playoff games at home.
‘There are some teams out there close to us as far as (playoff) points and stuff,? said Richardson. ‘That’s always a big plus to play here.?
Kickoff begins at 6:55 p.m.