The most anticipated pre-season football game this past weekend didn’t involve the Detroit Lions. The Clarkston Wolves suited up for the annual intra-squad Blue and Gold game Saturday afternoon in front of the Wolves faithful who braved the heat and reflective bleacher seats.
Fans got to see Clarkston’s starting quarterback. Either blue team starter senior Nick Shamoun, backup quarterback in 2006, or white team quarterback, sophomore Tyler Scarlett is expected to take snaps for the Wolves this season.
‘That race is about as close as close can be right now,? Wolves coach Kurt Richardson said. ‘If it’s tied going in, we go in with the younger guy.?
If the results of the exhibition counted, Scarlett would be taking a 1-0 lead into Thursday’s four-team scrimmage at CHS Stadium after his white team took a 19-13 win.
A goal-line stand from the white squad and debilitating penalties by the blue team in the red zone proved to be the difference in the game.
Receiver Kyle Rivenburgh got the white team on the board first at 9:57 of the first quarter, taking in a 25-yard touchdown toss from Scarlett.
After a fumble recovery, white was back at it, scoring on a rushing touchdown five minutes later for a 13-0 lead.
Blue, anchored by Shamoun and returning rushers Erik Thompson and Chad Blackstone, were not to be outdone. They got on the board after Blackstone’s 30-yard rush set up Thompson for the team’s first tally, as time expired in the first quarter.
White pushed the lead to 19-7 by adding a rushing touchdown with 6:44 remaining in the third quarter.
Shamoun set up a score for the blue team, rushing down to the one-yard line. Alex Popp took it in with 1:01 left in the third to cut the white lead to six points, 19-13.
The blue team had several chances to score in the fourth quarter, but was beleaguered by penalty trouble.
Under two minutes to play in the game, Shamoun attempted to lead a quick offense down the field, but came up short around midfield.
Infractions from both squads will give Richardson and co. points of interest for the coming weeks, based on the Blue and Gold performance.
‘Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy. Too many jumps (offside), too many turnovers. We’ve got to take care of the football,? he said. ‘They’ll do some drills. They’ll be okay.?
The four-way scrimmage features Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, Utica and Detroit Henry Ford high schools, scheduled for 5 p.m. at CHS. How the Wolves play in the scrimmage should give coaches a better idea of where they stand heading into the Aug. 24 season opener against Royal Oak.
Clarkston is coming from a 10-2 season in 2006 in which they captured the district championship by knocking off favorite and OAA champion Lake Orion in the playoffs.