History and rankings weren’t exactly in Clarkston’s favor going into a dual meet with five-time defending state champion Davison on Dec. 21.
The Cardinals ended Clarkston’s season last year with a 41-24 victory in the district playoffs. The Wolves haven’t been able to collectively raise their hands in victory against Davison for the past five years.
The Wolves (12-1) did not let the past cloud their mentality in their 44-26 win, their second win in as many nights ? they downed Lapeer West Dec. 20.
‘They came out and they got a big monkey off their backs,? Clarkston Coach Joe DeGain said.
‘I told them they can take their right hands and reach around their shoulders and pat themselves on the back and tell themselves good job, and that’s the end of it. They can’t think that this is everything,? he said.
‘This was fun and it was a good dual meet, but in 15 years, nobody’s going to ask them what happened on December 21st, 2006, they’re going to want to know what happened at the big dance and that’s going to have to be what these guys focus on now. If we don’t beat them at the end of the year, this meet doesn’t mean anything.?
Davison Coach Roy Hall was quick to congratulate the Wolves? play.
‘Their performance was really good. They looked great,? Hall said.
‘Their veterans stepped up and got some key wins.?
‘When you wrestle Davison, you have to respect every inch of their lineup and you have to constantly work for every single point and stop them from getting points when you’re losing matches,? DeGain said.
‘We will never wrestle Davison and get comfortable with a lead. That team is too well coached and they’re too good of kids. We have a lot of respect for them.?
After Zachary LaBelle scored a technical fall on Erik Butterfield in the 135 pound match, Davison took a 9-3 lead. Clarkston quickly mounted a comeback with victories from Josh Booker (145) and Colton Tweed (152) to go back up 12-9.
Mike Maguire (130) closed out the night, pinning Talon Hodgenson.
The win should give the Wolves a mental-edge if the teams meet again in the team playoffs this season. Clarkston stands in fifth place in the state division I, second in the area only to the Cardinals (8-3), who are ranked no. 3.
‘They’re the most respected team in the state and there’s no doubt about it, so if we can do it again, that’s got to be the goal,? DeGain said.
‘They get one pat on the back and that’s the end of it, now we’ve got to move on and beat them again.?
The Wolves need to be prepared for more back-to-back nights like the one they faced after their 63-12 win Dec. 20 in Lapeer.
‘In the state meet, they have to (wrestle) three days in a row. There’s nothing wrong with scheduling tough opponents on back-to-back days. The only thing that matters is the end of the year and we’ve got to prepare them for that,? he said.
The Wolves return from the holiday break with two matches on Jan. 3 at Troy against Waterford Kettering and Lake Orion.