Quarterback Tyler Scarlett caught the snap of the ball and immediately kneeled to the ground.
The game had less than a minute to go and the Wolves were ahead, 28-20. With possession of the ball and only two downs to go, the boys took the opportunity.
‘That was a nice trick play that we had and just ran the clock out,? said Scarlett. ‘I thought we played really well. Our defense stepped up big in the last couple turnovers. They held onto the end.?
The win gave the Wolves a playoff spot, while Farmington Hills Harrison was stalled from one of the two wins they needed to get to the playoffs.
‘It’s huge,? said long-time Clarkston coach Kurt Richardson. ‘We knew Harrison was going to come in – they are fighting for their lives. Their backs against the wall and so we knew they would have extra energy. We talked to the kids all week long about how it’s just like a playoff game for us.?
‘We lost four games and don’t really deserve to go to playoffs. You have to step up and win some big games and we didn’t. They have a good team. We will pack up after next week,? said Harrison coach John Herrington.
The Wolves got on the scoreboard less than six minutes into the game.
They were on their fourth down with only three yards to go and were 15 yards away from Harrison’s endzone.
The snap went back to Scarlett and he held onto the ball as he rushed down the middle of the field to make the first touchdown. The boys moved the ball 75 yards in eight plays.
Harrison tied the game only a few seconds later on their first play. Chris Pride caught the 72-yard pass from Marcel Eadie and headed into the endzone.
The Wolves came back into the lead only a minute Dakota Bender scored the next touchdown from his 20-yard run and ended the first quarter, 14-7.
Bender scored two more touchdowns in the rest of the game and rushed the ball for 103 yards. Scarlett rushed the ball for 120 yards.
?(Bender) finds the endzone,? said Richardson. ‘He and Tyler have been our 1-2 punch all year. He ran tough. We talked to him all week about running tough inside the tackles and he did that tonight. He proved he can do that. He is growing as a running back.?
Kicker Jon Avery was 4-4 on PATs.
‘We had to play tough and show Lake Orion what we’ve got coming for them this week,? said Bender.
The boys face rivals Lake Orion this Friday night in the last game of the regular season.
‘We are expecting another great high school football game. They have an outstanding quarterback and a dangerous running back,? said Dragons? Head Coach Chris Bell. ‘A lot of weapons to worry about. It’s a great rivalry. We are prepared. They are well-coached.?
Currently Lake Orion is in the lead for the OAA Red league, and Clarkston is second.
‘The worse we can do is tie for championship,? said Bell.
‘It will be a dog fight. It always is. They will be all beefed up (after beating Adams),? said Richardson. ‘It’s a fun game.?
The game begins at 7 p.m. at Lake Orion Stadium located at 495 East Scripps Road.