Two and a half weeks ago, 32 teams fought alongside Lake Orion for a spot in post-season play. Now, 16 teams are left in the division and the Dragons have their sights zeroed in on a spot in the final eight.
Last Friday’s 42-7 win over Davison put Lake Orion on a collision course with Grand Blanc this Friday at home for the district championship.
‘Grand Blanc is a very good football team with some tremendous weapons,? said Dragon Head Coach Chris Bell. The Bobcats come with a four-year starter quarterback and have a lot of firepower in their offense.
‘We have our work cut out for us,? said Bell, but believes his defense could be up to the task of containing Grand Blanc’s quarterback, runningback and receivers.
He added that if the teams plays as well as it did against Davison, they’ll have a good chance at winning. The coach said his team’s continuous tremendous efforts at practice have paid off in a big way come game time.
‘We’re hoping for the same this week. We can’t relax,? said Bell, noting that every week now presents a new challenge. ‘Last week is done and over with; everything starts fresh this week.?
‘We did have a couple breakdowns on special teams that we did have to correct, but defensively, to hold that team to seven points, the kids did a great job,? said Bell of last week’s game.
Dragon defense caused five turnovers, Steve Dolinski had one interception and Tyler Misiak had two, and their efforts put the offense in great position for the night’s play. Offensively, the boys rolled up over 400 yards and put 42 points on the scoreboard. Bell said he had big performances from Sean Charette, Zach Zott, Demitri Hudson and Marques Stevenson.
‘That was a very good team. I don’t think people understand how good Davison was,? said Bell, adding ‘I’m very proud.?
This week, if the Dragons win, they’ll host the victor between Romeo and Utica Eisenhower next week. After that, home-game luxuries are over as the fight for state semi-finals moves to a neutral field.
Bell said at this point in the season, all their opponents will be as good as his team is.
‘It all comes down to how we play, and the urgency we play with,? he said. ‘As you go on in the season, your commitment and intensity grows. The enthusiasm and craziness surrounding the games is greater so our focus has to be greater.?