Quarterback Tyler Scarlett scanned the field from Clarkston’s 22-yard line and found all his receivers covered.
So he took off running. He needed 11 yards for a first down, but kept going past the 50-yard line, pausing near the sidelines to check on the defense. He looked, saw no one around and kept running all the way to the Cougars endzone.
And the crowd went wild.
‘That run was one of the best high school runs I have ever seen,? said Wolves Head Coach Kurt Richardson.
Scarlett’s 78-yard third-quarter run was good for six in Clarkston’s 38-14 regional championship victory against Macomb Dakota, Nov. 13.
‘It was a great win for us,? said Richardson. ‘Offense did the things they needed to do for us and Defense Coordinator Tony Miller made some great adjustments inthe second half with defense.?
The last time they faced Macomb Dakota, regional playoffs 10 years ago, it took quadruple overtimes before the Wolves won.
‘I remember I lost five years of my life that night,? said Richardson. ‘I thought we lost, I thought we won. It was up and down.?
Friday’s game wasn’t that tight, but it had its moments.
Clarkston was the first to score after Scarlett threw a 9-yard pass to Dustin Gamble with 6:49 left in the first quarter.
But the Cougars reciprocated and Brandon Hughes tied the score 10 seconds into the second quarter.
Less than three minutes later Clarkston put themselves back into the lead. Running back Dakota Bender made a touchdown on a 2-yard run, finishing 80 yards in eight plays.
Again the Cougars tied the game, 14-14, this time off a 4-yard run from Hughes.
Less than a minute left in the first half, the Wolves were fourth down and 15 yards away from the endzone.
Taking a chance, Brian Benway came out to the field and kicked a 33-yard field goal to put the boys in the lead, 17-14.
The second half began with the Cougars in possession, but Clarkston’s defense kept them to 30 yards.
Starting from their own 22-yard line the Wolves focused in on adding more to the board.
After a few plays Scarlett threw a 65-yard pass to teammate PJ Lannon and he took it to the 1-yard line.
Scarlett ran the ball in seconds later, putting the score 24-14.
Bender scored the Wolves final touchdown from the 15-yard line, along with two-point conversion to Jordan Clark.
Benway was 3-4 in PATs.
The boys are playing in the MHSAA Semifinals for the third time in Richardson’s 23 years as head coach, and the first time in nine years.
‘Tyler Scarlett said ‘get on my shoulders guys and I will carry you? and that’s exactly what happened, ? Richardson said after the game.
The last two appearances Clarkston made in the semifinals were against Utica Eisenhower in 1999 and Grand Ledge in 2000, losing in both. The problem was turnovers, he said.
‘We turned the ball over and you can’t do it,? he said firmly. ‘We didn’t have any tonight.?
The Wolves will face-off against Sterling Heights Stevenson on Saturday.
‘We have been eyeing them on the bracket,? said Scarlett. ‘They have a good quarterback, Jason Fracassa, good receivers and their defense is playing pretty good, too. We will have our hands full.?
The last few weeks helped the boys keep getting better and Scarlett knows what the team has to do to get past the undefeated Stevenson.
‘We are going to have to play good,? he said.
The winner will advance to Division 1 State Finals at Ford Field on Nov. 28.
‘That is everybody’s dream,? Scarlett said. ‘That is what everyone has been dreaming about since day one ? to get to Ford Field.?
The Wolves play Stevenson, Saturday, at Troy Athens High School, 4333 John R Road in Troy. Kickoff is 7 p.m.