BY WENDI REARDON PRICE
Clarkston News Sports Writer
Players and coaches lined up and said goodbye to the seniors after Clarkston Varsity Football finished the fall season last Friday at home.
“They have been a joy to work with,” said Kurt Richardson, long-time head coach. “You enjoy working with a bunch of kids and then it’s over. It’s tough. They did things the right way and that’s important. The seniors are 15-3 over two years – that’s not too shabby. They did it the right way. Great group of kids.”
Clarkston lost to Oxford in the MHSAA Football Division 1 Pre-District game, 38-28.

“Obviously we were disappointed,” said Richardson. “I don’t think we brought our ‘A’ game. I don’t think we played our best, and I think the guys would say the same.”
The Wolves were the first to score on a 12-yard touchdown run by junior Ethan Clark with 6:54 left in the first quarter. A PAT from sophomore Edward Langton put the score, 7-0.
With one minute remaining in the quarter, Oxford’s Sal Vackaro tied the score on a 1-yard run.
The Wildcats took the lead in the on a 22-yard touchdown pass to Tate Myre less than six minutes into the second quarter.
Clarkston tied the score only moments later with a 79-yard touchdown run by senior Mike DePillo on the Wolves’ first play after taking possession with 5:50 left in the quarter, 14-14.
It took Oxford less than a minute as Vackaro scored on a 10-yard run, ending the first half with Wildcats up 21-14.
During the third quarter, Oxford widened their lead to 31 points with a touchdown and field goal.
With eight minutes left in the game, sophomore Desman Stephens scored on a 10-yard touchdown. Clarkston scored again with two minutes to go on their fourth down on an 8-yard run by DePillo.
“He was a beast out there,” said Richardson. “He did everything. He ran the ball. He threw the ball.”
He added senior Lucas McKinney also stood out for the night.
“We probably had four receivers who got hurt during the game and Lucas hurt himself and he was scrapping,” Richardson said. “I was very impressed by his warrior mentality.”
He added the whole team kept fighting during the game.
“This group of kids have been outstanding,” he said.
DePillo went 13-for-26 in passing for 135 yards. McKinney caught six passes for 65 yards. Clark caught three passes for 34 yards.
DePillo was the leading rusher going 144 yards on 11 carries. Clark carried the ball 15 times for 100 yards. McKinney carried the ball four times for 16 yards.
Senior Ian Olson had one tackle and four assists. Senior Caleb Stalworth had six assists. Stephens, senior Caden Ladd and senior Mekhi Battle had three assists each.
The Wolves finished the season with an overall record 8-2 and 4-1 in the OAA Red, second place in the league.
“It was a good season,” said Richardson, adding OAA Red is a tough conference. “Every Friday you have to show up and I was pleased with the kids.”