The wait is over.
Rivals, neighbors and first-place teams will finally get together on Friday night when 8-0 and top-ranked Lake Orion travels to 8-0 and third-ranked Clarkston.
The showdown will be for the OAA I title in addition to hosting three games in the MHSAA playoffs, which begin the following week (the loser will likely host a playoff game as well, but not three).
It will be the first meeting between the two squads this season, but, as recent history has dictated, it will likely not be the last.
The Dragons defeated the visiting Wolves 27-21 last year, and then beat them again in the playoffs 30-20.
Though both teams had the big game on their mind last week, they still took care of business, as Clarkston topped Groves 27-0 and the Dragons beat Troy Athens 31-7.
The oft-efficient Lake Orion quarterback Chris Lum was at his best in the second quarter of that contest, completing all 11 of his pass attempts, including three that went the distance to wideout David Wurst.
‘As he has been all year, he was making good reads and good throws,? Head Coach Chris Bell said of his junior QB.
Those three touchdowns broke open a 7-0 game and the Dragons cruised through the second half, narrowly missing out on their second shutout of the season.
The defense was led by Josh Allison’s eight tackles (three sacks). Nick Dunstan added six tackles and an interception.
Lum finished 16-of-23 for 222 yards, all but nine of which came in the opening half.
Wurst, meanwhile, now has six touchdowns in his last two games and 15 on the season. He had 112 total yards versus Athens.
Bell said his defense was the key to preserving a first quarter lead and putting the offense back in a position to excel.
‘The defense came up big early with a couple of interceptions,? he said.
After the Dragons? Dylan Van Fossen opened the second half scoring with a fourth quarter 24-yard field goal, only the question of the shutout remained.
Athens was able to score on a fourth-down play late in the quarter, in spite of the loud cheering coming from the Dragon sidelines, as the first-team players cheered on their second unit.
‘We’ve got 85 guys, but everybody on our football team has a role,? Bell said.
Some of those roles involve filling in for key starters, as Cortez McKinley did against Athens.
McKinley had 83 yards on 20 carries, including a touchdown, filling in for Aaron Allen, the usual starting tailback. Allen was dressed and Bell said could have played in the game if need be.
Cole Moore, a wideout who caught eight passes for 114 yards in the first half, also sat during the second half with a slightly pulled muscle, but Bell said he, too, could have played.
However, with Clarkston on the horizon, the coach chose not to take any chances with his top players.
‘It doesn’t get any bigger than this,? Bell said of the upcoming game. ‘It’s for the league title and home field advantage.?
‘Our goal is to be the top seed in the district and the region,? he added.
‘The biggest thing for our guys, and coach (Dave) Tooley said it best, is that we play this game on Friday, not Monday or Tuesday.?
Both teams expect to be pumped and ready to go when the ball is placed on the tee just after 6:55 on Friday night. Clarkston High School is located at 6093 Flemings Lake Rd.
FSN Detroit will air the playoff selection show at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday night, with the pairings being posted at www.mhsaa.com shortly thereafter.