Summer is nearly over, but for football fans, the fall could not come fast enough.
The Clarkston football team will once again begin the season with an important game when they host Rochester Adams on August 25. The Wolves faced the Highlanders the last two years and lost both meetings.
‘It’s a huge game right off the bat,? Clarkston Head Coach Kurt Richardson said. ‘The last couple years we turned the ball over and that’s how they beat us, so number one will be taking care of the football. We want good field position and that’s where our kicker Ryan Breen comes in. He will be huge for us Friday night and we need 11 people attacking the football on defense.?
Breen, who has committed to Penn State, will be a key weapon for the Wolves all season. Breen will handle the kickoff, punting and field goal duties and Richardson said Breen will be vital to the team’s success.
‘He usually puts the ball in the end zone on the kick off so that eliminates the long kick off return,? Richardson said. ‘Punting the ball, we can gain 20 yards on an exchange. If they have to punt and we have to punt he can help us with field position.?
Senior Eric Ogg will be back as Clarkston’s starting quarterback. Ogg started seven games last season for the Wolves and he threw for 670 yards and seven touchdowns and rushed for 226 yards and four touchdowns.
‘He has been running the offense for two years, well four including two at the junior varsity level,? Richardson said. ‘He is a very savvy kid and we are putting the ball in his hands. ?
Richardson said the offensive backfield has a lot of depth.
‘We have a lot of kids, who can play back there,? Richardson said. ‘Erik Thompson and Jimmy Popp will be the starters on Friday night. Chad Blackstone, Colton Tweed, Chip Swyane and Layne Upcott will all see some time back there. A lot of kids will play. Especially that first game. It will be hot.?
The offensive line will be a question mark for the Wolves, who lost all five starters from last year. Nick Elia will start at center, Colin Dabrowski and Adam Weightman will be the guards, Matt Fischer and Steve Cooper will man the tackle positions and Jon Wright will also see time on the offensive line.
‘They are not real big, but they are very intelligent,? Richardson said. ‘My biggest worry is they haven’t had a lot of game experience. We are setting them right into the fire against Adams.?
Tight end Bren Bergquist will provide Ogg with a big target in the middle of the field. Bergquist was Clarkston’s second leading receiver last season with 156 yards and four touchdowns.
Clarkston’s defense will be led by an experienced core of linebackers and a solid secondary. The Wolves feature Bergquist, Eric Weiland and Carlo Mollicone at the linebacker positions, Kevin Badgley and Ryan Bonk at safety and Andrew Lyons, Shane Collins and Ryan Kenerson at cornerback.
‘Badgley calls all the defensive signals for us,? Richardson said. ‘He’s extremely intelligent. He sees the field real well. Weiland’s a very tough kid. He has had a great off season. He has put on a lot of weight and strength. We expect a lot out of him. Andrew Lyons is coming off an injury (from last year) and he’s really had a good start.?
Richardson also thinks a key to success this season will be the return of his entire coaching staff for his 20th season as head coach.
‘I have great assistant coaches and the continuity we have really helps us.,? Richardson said.
The Wolves will take the field to face Adams at 7 p.m. on August 25 at Clarkston High School.