The crowd cheered and screamed as senior running back Joey Goss made the first touchdown of the game against West Bloomfield last Thursday night.
It spiraled into success for the team as the Wolves’ won their first OAA Red match-up, 34-7.
“The game had its high moments and low moments,” admitted Kurt Richardson, long-time head coach for the Clarkston Boys Varsity Football team. “We played really well at times. But we had too many penalties and too many take aways.”
The Wolves scored two touchdowns off Goss – one off his 5-yard run and the second off a 61-yard run. He finished with 92 rushing yards.
“He was outstanding,” said Richardson.
Senior wide receiver Mike Schwartz also scored twice on passes of 32 and 58 yards, from senior quarterback Mitch Baenziger.
Baenziger also scored with a 12-yard run.
He was nine for 12 in passing for 215 yards.
“Mitch was very good again,” added Richardson.
Senior Alex Barta completed four of his five point after touchdown attempts.
Richardson noted he would like to more consistency from both the offensive and defensive lines.
“We aren’t consistent enough,” he said.
He noticed it when the defense line broke down early in the game and West Bloomfield scored.
“I think it woke the defense up,” he said after the Lakers got on the board.
Senior Travis Smith had three tackles, three assists and one interception to lead the pack.
“He had a good game,” said Richardson. “He shut down their leading receiver and turned them down cold.”
Giving the defense a boost, senior Joe Genoa had four tackles and one assist; junior Nathan Yeloushan, three tackles, an assist and an inception; senior Matt Dellinger, seven tackles, two assists and an interception and junior Jared Yaroch had an interception.
The Wolves? home opener is against Troy-Athens on Friday. The Red Hawks are coming off a 27-14 victory over Pontiac, their second win in the season.
“They have good running backs and a big offensive line,” said Richardson, getting ready for Athens’ visit. “Their running game is the heart of their offense. We will have to stop their running game.”
He said it will be a combined effort from the team to bring in the third win for the Wolves.
“Their defense is sound,” he added. “But I think we can put some points on the board.”
Get your blue, gold, and jungle gear ready. The Wolves? home opener at Clarkston High School Stadium is Friday night, with kickoff promptly at 7. Clarkston is 2-0 for the season.