The tables were turned on the big, bad Wolves, Oct. 22.
The house came toppling down on them as Lake Orion’s varsity football team took the win and the Oakland Activities Association Red Division title away from Clarkston, 28-7.
Though the town is still buzzing from the championship game and Head Coach Chris Bell says he and his crew are proud, there isn’t much time for celebration.
‘Now every week is going to be a barn-burner, every week it’s a good team,? he said. ‘We’ve got to play our best game every single time if we want to keep playing? The only thing we talk about right now is winning one game at a time.?
Bell says Clarkston’s injured quarterback and struggling offense gave Lake Orion an edge on the field, even though the Wolves were good, defensively.
‘The fact that they were pretty much one-dimensional played into our strength,? he said. ‘We had a very solid performance as a whole team.?
Bell applauded the Dragons line-backing core ? Nick Frye, Alex Fine, Adam Gros and Jon Gall ? for an outstanding game, as well as Marques Stevenson on offense. But he said he was especially proud of quarterback Sean Charettte.
‘Sean played a very good football game. He struggled the week before so I was really proud of the way he came back. He managed the game very well,? Bell said.
Amid the hard work demonstrated by the Dragons on the field, someone on the sidelines was being honored for some hard work of his own.
Dave Tooley, 15-year Dragon defensive coordinator, was chosen as Assistant Coach of the Year and was presented with a trophy, accepted by his wife on Tooley’s behalf.
‘He’s deservedly regarded as one of the best defensive coordinators around,? said Bell, noting that the Dragon’s strong defensive performance this year has been because of Tooley and his staff. ‘He does a phenomenal job with our defense and is a big reason for our success over the years.?
Looking ahead to this Friday, Dragons will play Davison (7-2) at home in their first post-season game.
‘They’re very good,? said Bell of the Cardinals. ‘They’ve got a three-year-starter quarterback, tremendous size on both the offensive and defensive line, a very good running back ? we’re going to have to play very well.?
If Lake Orion wins, they’ll gain home advantage for the next three games as well.To get ready for the game, Bell says they’ll study how Davison plays and aim to have a good week in practice.
‘Preparation-wise, football is pretty boring; it looks the same every week, but it takes a lot of work and time,? the coach said, adding, ‘You’ve got to deal with aches and pains and bumps and bruises. We’ve got some guys we’re trying to heal up. It’s a juggling act this time of year.?