One win to go to clinch a playoff spot, with two games left to do it.
The gridiron heroes know they will have to give it everything they have if they want their game clincher for the MHSAA Districts to be against Oxford.
“It is going to be a blood bath,” said Kurt Richardson, Clarkston Boys Varsity Football Head Coach. “They are a very good football team. They are going to come in here all fired up and foaming at the mouth.”
Seniors Matt Dellinger and Zach Collins will lead defense against one of Oxford’s threats – running back Prescott Line. Line ran 391 yards on 44 carries in the Wildcats’ win over Southfield last Friday. He also scored six touchdowns in the 49-26 win.
During the last two games, Clarkston’s defense has only allowed seven points in the last two games.
“We will find out,” Richardson noted, saying how the defensive line will match up against their opponents especially as they keep improving each game.
In the Wolves 45-7 win over Royal Oak last Friday, senior Joe Genoa led attackers with six tackles and one assist. Junior Nathan Yeloushan recovered a fumble and senior Matt Dellinger, a pass.
Senior running back Joey Goss finished the game with a 50-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, adding to his early. He was the leading rusher on 12 carries for 101 yards.
Senior quarterback Mitch Baenziger throw 7-for-10 for 167 yards, including three touchdown passes.
He threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to senior Mike Schwartz, 52-yard touchdown pass to Dellinger and 23-yard touchdown pass to senior Mac Pearce.
“It was nice to see Mac get a touchdown,” said Richardson. “He is a good player that has worked extremely hard for us. He hasn’t seen a lot of playing time but always has a great attitude.”
Scoring the Wolves’ sixth touchdown for the night was junior Alex Dicea on a 15-yard run.
Senior Alex Barta scored on five point after touchdowns and a 37-yard field goal. Senior Garrett Deckard scored one PAT.
A bonus to Friday’s game was the second and third teams were able to play during the game to build experience for when the boys achieve their goal of qualifying for the playoffs.
“We got everyone in and everyone got to play a lot ? that’s nice,” said Richardson.
Richardson did note a few things ? the team didn’t run the ball or block as well as they should have.
“I wasn’t happy with that,” he said, adding when Royal Oak scored on their only touchdown on a 46-yard run by Brandon Fredrickson, the boys had a breakdown in the line.
The Wolves will continue to improve their weaknesses and build on their strengths before they face Oxford on Friday.
“I am hoping we can run the ball and pass the ball,” Richardson said. “We are multi-dimensional and that’s our biggest strength.”
Both Clarkston and Oxford go into the game with a 5-2 overall record.
“Oxford has a good solid program,” said Richardson.
The freshman team also beat Royal Oak in their game against the Ravens last Thursday, 64-18, putting their record at 6-1.
The JV team held onto their undefeated record to beat the Royal Oak to the tune of 42-7. They are now 7-0 and look to add another win this Thursday at Oxford. Freshman begins at 4:30 p.m., JV follows.
The varsity team hosts Oxford this Friday, kickoff is at 7 p.m.