Clarkston will start a new quarterback in Friday’s season opener against Royal Oak, that is for sure. Exactly who replaces departed Eric Ogg was still a mystery after the Wolves? scrimmage against Orchard Lake St. Mary’s last week.
Ogg’s backup, senior Nick Shamoun, is competing with sophomore Tyler Scarlett for the starting gig.
Coach Kurt Richardson said if the race is a draw, the Wolves will start the younger Scarlett.
It’s not only the quarterback who will be a new fixture, but many of the key offensive pieces who helped post a 30-0 win over the Ravens last season graduated with Ogg. Erik Thompson is the only returning receiver who played big minutes. Ogg threw for 189 yards and three touchdowns against the Ravens.
The Wolves should have more luck with their running backs, returning Jimmy Popp, Chad Blackstone, and Thompson.
Richardson is expecting a much tougher Ravens team this year than the ones who came to Clarkston’s homecoming game in 2006.
‘The score wasn’t indicative of that game because we didn’t move the ball very well on them,? Richardson said.
‘We had big plays and scored on them, but other than that it will be a lot tougher this year.?
The win, Clarkston’s sixth of last season, secured a playoff berth for the eventual district champions. The Wolves stayed undefeated until the last week of the regular season, where they met Lake Orion at Clarkston for the OAA Division I title. The OAA has been realigned, but the Wolves and Dragons still share the same division.
Clarkston meets Royal Oak at 6:55 p.m. Friday at Clarkston Stadium.