The gridiron heroes put their first win of the season in the books last Friday after beating West Bloomfield, 41-18.
‘It was good to have Ian Eriksen back,? said Clarkston Varsity Football Head Coach Kurt Richardson. ‘He made such a difference right off the get-go.?
Eriksen scored with 1:24 left in the first quarter on a 2-yard run to tie the score 6-6. Kicker Shane Hynes scored on the PAT to put the Wolves into the lead, 7-6.
With two minutes left in the first half Clarkston struck not just once but twice against the Lakers.
The first strike was when DJ Zezula made a 36-yard touchdown on a quarterback keeper with 1:55 to go.
The Lakers had possession for a minute but the ball went back to Clarkston after the Lakers? pass on their fourth down went incomplete.
With 43 seconds to go, Zezula handed the ball off to Tim Cason who handed it to Eriksen on a hook and ladder play. Eriksen picked up speed along the edge of the field before landing in the endzone finishing the 72-yard play.
‘It was the big play in the game,? said Richardson. ‘It was huge. It broke their backs. Coach Ryan Kaul called it and it was a great call.?
Though the Wolves came out with a win, Richardson added there is still a lot of work to do.
‘We are not very good defensively right now,? he said after the game. ‘We gave up way too much yardage. Our tackling was sloppy. We sputtered a little offensively, too.?
Zezula was 8-for-11 in passing for 185 yards and rushed six times for 42 yards with two touchdowns.
‘DJ was outstanding tonight,? Richardson added.
Eriksen was the leading rusher on 17 carries for 111 yards and a total of three touchdowns and scored on a 2-point conversion. Watlington ran for 44 yards on five carries and Centrus Williams, Jr. ran for 50 yards on ten carries.
‘Caine was outstanding again,? Richardson said.
Hynes was 4-for-4 in PATs and kicked a 35-yard field goal with 9:30 left in the game.
Merrick Canada led defense with seven tackles with one tackle leading to a 3-yard loss. Reid Kaminski had five tackles and two assists. Don Monson and Jack McKillop both had three tackles and two assists. Cason had one interception.
The Wolves head to Rochester, 180 South Livernois, 7 p.m. The Falcons (1-1) lost their OAA Red game against Troy, 21-14.
‘We have to play better defense – no doubt,? said Richardson.