BY WENDI REARDON PRICE
Clarkston News Sports Writer
The gridiron heroes were regrouping at Monday afternoon’s practice as they get ready for the first of the final three games of the regular season.
Clarkston lost to Oak Park in a OAA crossover game on Friday, putting their overall record 4-2, two wins away from securing a playoff spot.
Long-time head coach Kurt Richardson, the Wolves’ coaching staff and the boys know it won’t be a small feat since they have West Bloomfield, Lake Orion and Rochester Adams next on the schedule.
“They have three very good football teams they have to play,” Richardson added. “If we expect to get in the playoffs we will have to turn it up a few notches.”
The physical battle in the 14-7 loss to Oak Park opened the boys’ eyes for the upcoming weeks.
“They are a pretty good football team,” said Richardson. “They controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, offensively and defensively. We didn’t play with much emotion or passion.”
The Knights were first to get on the scoreboard in the second quarter with a touchdown from Keveon Clark.
Junior Michael Fluegel put the Wolves on the board with a 13-yard touchdown in the second half. A PAT from senior Zach Mansour tied the score.
Oak Park struck again before the game closed with another touchdown to win the game.
“They are pretty equal to Southfield, might be a tad better,” Richardson added.
Senior quarterback JT King was 7-for-17 for 61 yards in passing for one interception. Fluegel was the leading rusher as he went 31 yards on 16 carries.
For defense, junior Gino Paese led the Wolves with eight tackles, one with loss of yards for the Knights and two assists. Senior Carson Stottlemyer had eight tackles and one fumble recovery. Junior Zach Scott had six tackles and two assists.
Seniors Kyle Genter, Kole Gilbert, Nick Stalworth had three tackles each. Genter recovered a fumble; Stalworth had four assists and Gilbert had three assists.
Senior Ryan Prisby had two tackles and four assists during the game.
The Wolves (4-2, 3-1 OAA Red) have home advantage this week as they host West Bloomfield (3-3, 3-1 OAA Red) this Friday.
“They are very talented. They are fast,” Richardson said about the Lakers. “They are going to be very comparable to what we saw from Oak Park. They have a quarterback who throws the ball very well. We better respond.”
He added the Lakers don’t have a ton of returners from last year, but they do have four players who transfered to the high school.
Kick off is at 7 p.m., 6093 Flemings Lake Road.

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