BY WENDI REARDON PRICE
Clarkston News Sports Writer
The Wolves and Lake Orion have a big rivalry, but they fight together on the gridiron at their annual Football for a Cure game, this year at Clarkston High School on Oct. 18.
Captains senior Datrius McKinney, senior Matt Miller, junior Rocco Spindler and senior Hayden Temple are four of the Wolves playing in honor of a loved one, family member or friend.
“It’s special,” said Miller, who is playing for his dad who has passed away. “It gives you a deeper connection to the game. You feel like you owe that whole game to them and everything they did for you.”
Temple is playing for his godmother’s sister and is honored to have her name on the back of his jersey.
“I feel proud,” added McKinney, who is playing for his grandfather. “I never really got to meet my grandfather but I know he is watching me from above.”
Spindler is playing for his grandfather who recently passed away and said it’s a blessing he can share.
“Grandfather Spindler was a big part of our family,” he said. “I dedicated this season to play for him.”
The players shared their favorite memories as they countdown to the game.
“My father taught me a lot of life lessons and a lot of things about football, but my grandfather, he really taught me how to play this game and take it to another level before I walk on those white lines,” Spindler said, adding his grandfather was right there after the semifinal games against Detroit Catholic Central in 2017 and against Saline last year. “He was right there in his wheelchair, first one in line, first one for a hug.”
Miller said there were certain times he would see his dad and it was always before and after the games and they were special times.
“He was the one he always talked football with me,” he said. “He was the one who taught me everything I know. Growing up playing backyard football for hours. He was the one who got me into sports. He is the one who always told me to play the best I can.”
“I was around him as a baby but they (family) said he always said he knew I would be an athlete and would love the game of football,” McKinney shared, adding it makes him feel special his grandfather was right. “It makes me feel I have achieved a lot.”
Temple hasn’t met the person he is playing for because she lives in a different state.
“She never really comes into town,” he said. “She wanted to come up for the game which I think is really special.”
Funds raised from the annual event go to the McLaren Oakland Foundation to help ease non-medical expenses for the survivors at Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Clarkston and Bloomfield officea. A donation of $2,500 from the funds raised will be gifted to A Mother’s Wish Foundation.
“It’s a great cause,” said Spindler.
“It’s a great cause to support,” Temple added.

  AOW, Athletes of the Week, Football for a Cure