Clarkston’s gridiron heroes clinched a playoff spot last Friday night with their 37-20 win over Troy Athens.
The varsity football team celebrated with a chant after the game, but long-time head coach Kurt Richardson saw something else during the game ? an opportunity to improve especially after the first half.
‘We made too many mistakes, penalties and put the ball on the ground,? he reflected as the boys headed to the locker room. ‘Our focus is to win but you’ve got to get better. I don’t know if we got better tonight.?
He added the Wolves need to make progress every week not only as a team but as individuals, too.
‘I don’t care who we are playing or what the score is, we have to get better,? Richardson said.
Senior Cole Chewins agreed, ‘I don’t think we played our best as a team. We got the win which was good but a lot to improve upon for the next week.?
The Wolves host their Homecoming game and final home game of the season this Friday night against Troy, (0-6).
Chewins added the first step to improve as they prepare for the Colts is to be more mentally prepared.
‘We were making a lot of mental mistakes,? Chewins said. ‘No personal foul penalties. Just go out, practice hard and get better every week.?
The Wolves took control of the first The Wolves took control of the first half by scoring all of their 37 points. The scoring started on the second play of the game off a 52-yard touchdown run by quarterback DJ Zezula and scored again six minutes later on a 36-yard touchdown pass from Zezula to Chewins.
‘We wanted to get him a touchdown so bad,? Richardson added. ‘He is such a good kid. It was our goal this week to get him a touchdown.?
With 19 seconds left in the first quarter the Red Hawks had possession of the ball but it was Wolf Dayne Rogers who scored when he tackled Athens in the endzone for a safety.
It wasn’t the last of scoring for the Wolves as Zezula handed the ball to running back Centrus Williams, Jr. for a 31 touchdown run with less than a second to go, ending the quarter 23-0. Clarkston scored twice in the second half with a 42-yard touchdown run by Jacob Fisher and 66-yard touchdown run by Nolan Eriksen.
The Red Hawks scored three times in the second half with touchdowns from two from Eddie Oprinca and one from Devin Terry.
Zezula was 6-for-6 on passing for 127 yards and two touchdowns.
‘DJ was good again,? Richardson said.
Chewins caught two receptions for 43 yards. Fisher caught a 42-yard touchdown pass. Joe Popp caught two receptions for 36 yards.
Eriksen was the leading rusher with six carries for 81 yards and one touchdown. Williams carried the ball five times for 56 yards and one touchdown and Zezula carried the ball twice for 63 yards and one touchdown. Alex Kessman was 5-for-5 on PAT attempts.
Josh Cohoon led defense with five tackles, four assists and one sack. Hayden Schoenherr had five tackles and Merrick Canada had one interception. Dayne Rogers tackled Athens runner in the endzone for a safety.
Kickoff against Troy is at 7 p.m. on Friday.