It’s great to be a Clarkston Wolf: The Clarkston  Varsity Football team celebrates their district win over Davison, Nov. 4. Photo by Wendi Reardon Price

BY WENDI REARDON PRICE
Clarkston News Sports Writer
Muddy but jubilant, Clarkston’s gridiron heroes surrounded head coach Kurt Richardson in celebration as he held up the district trophy on Davison’s 50-yard line.
The boys earned the crown with a 31-14 win over the Cardinals last Friday.
“I thought that was a toughness win,” Richardson said as the players left the muddy, wet field. “Sometimes we don’t know how tough our kids are. Tonight was a toughness win and that’s the kind of win that goes a long way. These kids showed their character tonight.”
Going into the game Davison was undefeated with 10 wins and averaging 47 points per game.
The Wolves took the challenge head on and held them to a mere seven points during the first half.
“Part of this goes to the people we play,” said Richardson. “We play such a good schedule especially in the OAA. We are playing the Southfields and Oak Parks – that makes a big difference. Playing Lapeer twice, those are quality football teams. It makes a big difference in preparing them.”
The Wolves were prepared out of the gate when they scored three minutes into the game.
Davison had possession of the ball when the snap on a punt went wrong on their fourth down. Senior Jake Buchmann and junior Zach Scott led the Wolfpack attack as they scored on a safety when the Cardinal’s quarterback went back to retrieve in the endzone.
The Wolves kept Davison to one touchdown in the first half, which was scored with 43 seconds remaining in the first quarter, 7-2.
Clarkston took the lead back with 3:20 left in the first half on touchdown run from senior JT King. King handed the ball to junior Michael Fluegel who passed it to Scott in the endzone for a 2-point conversion to put the score 10-7.
The Wolves scored two more times before Davison could catch up. They scored three minutes into the second half with a 21-yard run from Fluegel. King scored again with a 5-yard run to open the final stanza.
Davison scored with five minutes left in the game which was met with another touchdown from King on a 57-yard run.
King completed one pass for the night and Fluegel completed one pass for an extra point.
Fluegel was the leading rusher with 22 carries for 156 yards. King carried the ball nine times for 141 yards and three touchdowns.
“Toughness,” Richardson said about King. “He had a couple big runs.”
Senior kicker Zach Mansour was 3-for-3 on PATs.
Senior Nick Stalworth led defense with six tackles and four assists. Scott had five tackles and three assists. Senior Kole Gilbert, senior Ryan Prisby, and junior Gino Paese had five tackles each. Paese had one assist. Senior Kyle Genter had one interception down by the endzone.
Clarkston (9-2) hosts Romeo (8-3) on Friday. Kick off is set for 7 p.m.
“We will have to be ready,” said Richardson.

  clarkston, Football, Varsity Football