The scoreboard reflected the Wolves? third win for the season as the gridiron heroes walked off the field after a 55-41 triumph over West Bloomfield.
But during the time on the field, long-time head coach Kurt Richardson for Clarkston Varsity Football saw something else.
‘We didn’t play smart football,? he said. ‘We weren’t tough enough at times. In short yard situations, we weren’t tough enough. We have to get better physically, but we have to get better mentally, too.?
The Wolves opened with possession and within 26 seconds into the game were moved to the 6-yard line in the Lakers? turf, gaining yards from three penalties called against West Bloomfield.
Two plays later, senior quarterback DJ Zezula scored on a 4-yard touchdown run after jumping over defense with 10:48 left in the first quarter.
For the next 35 minutes, the Lakers kept up in the score with the Wolves, ending the third quarter behind by a point, 34-33.
The Wolves pulled ahead in the last quarter scoring three consecutive touchdowns.
The first two came from junior running back Nolan Eriksen. The first was on a 32-yard run up the middle of the field, 30 seconds into the quarter. The next one came at 8:42 as he scored this time on a 1-yard run.
West Bloomfield didn’t hold onto possession long as senior linebacker Jack McKillop intercepted a pass and ran the ball to the 1-yard line. A penalty against the Lakers moved the ball to the ?-yard line. Zezula ran the rest of the way for the touchdown, 55-34.
The Wolves also saw their own share of loss of yardage from penalties. Richardson added it is a lesson they can take with them into the rest of the season to watch penalties.
Zezula was 14-for-18 in passing for 245 yards and one touchdown. senior Joe Popp caught six passes for 85 yards. senior Austin Egler caught a 40-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter and senior Shane Holler caught a 2-point conversion after Egler scored.
Zezula was the leading rusher for 105 ? yards on 16 carries and three touchdowns. Eriksen rushed 64 yards on 14 carries with two touchdowns and Centrus Williams, Jr. rushed 36 yards on eight carries with one touchdown scored at the end of the first quarter. Kessman was 5-for-6 on PATs and scored two field goals, one for 22 yards and the other for 25 yards.
McKillop led defense with eight tackles. Senior Dayne Rogers had six tackles; Popp, five tackles; and senior Matt Boczar had one interception.
The boys head to Stoney Creek (2-1, 1-1 OAA Red) this Friday, 575 E. Tienken Road in Rochester. Kick off is at 7 p.m.
‘We have to be road warriors,? Richardson said about the first road game. ‘Stoney Creek is very well-coached. They are very sound fundamentally. They have some returners. We have to get better every week.?