Natural elements were just one thing standing in Clarkston’s way Friday night. The Wolves (1-0) faced a storm delay of nearly two hours before downing Royal Oak (0-1) 25-13 in their football season-opener.
The offseason, penalties and two new quarterbacks had to be worked out in the Oakland Activities Association Red Division matchup, but the Wolves seemed to have their difficulties hammered out by the end of the first half.
Clarkston switched quarterbacks early in the game, starting Nick Shamoun, who was replaced by sophomore Tyler Scarlett after two unproductive offensive series.
‘That was the plan. It wasn’t really taking Shamoun out, it was putting Tyler in and really, I would have liked to give (Scarlett) some time in the second half,? Clarkston coach Kurt Richardson said.
Shamoun reentered the game early in the second quarter with much improved accuracy.
‘He bounced back after a bad series,? Richardson said. ‘We gave Nick time to throw and that’s where it all starts. He didn’t have time to throw and that starts with the hog-ies.?
Although Clarkston’s passing game appeared shaky, its rushing attack proved much more potent. The Wolves rode Chad Blackstone and Jimmy Popp (137 yards) for more than 200 yards rushing and a touchdown apiece. Blackstone got the Wolves on the board with 3:41 remaining in the second quarter.
Erik Thompson scored the first of his two touchdowns with 54 seconds left in the first half on a 30-yard catch from Shamoun.
Clarkston took a 13-0 lead to halftime and struck again on its first play from scrimmage in the second half. Shamoun found Thompson again for a 67-yard touchdown hookup.
‘They kept playing him up tight and we didn’t feel that player could stay with Erik. That was about it for Erik, he kept cramping up and we didn’t see much of him in the second half,? Richardson said.
The Ravens cut the lead to 19-7 with Jack Showalter’s 22-yard touchdown run with 5:57 left in the third quarter. Kory Radley closed the quarter with a 20-yard touchdown rush of his own, pulling Royal Oak within six points.
Popp added a score for Clarkston with 5:20 left in the game, capping a six-play, 60-yard drive.
‘We’ve got some weapons offensively. If you take one guy we’ve got some other people who can hurt you,? Richardson said.
Outside linebacker Layne Upcott put his stamp on the night, hitting Ravens quarterback Jeff Lambert as he was throwing. The hit resulted in an interception by Blackstone with 1:35 left in the game.
Royal Oak benefited with extra yardage and the Wolves saw their own big offense plays called back on multiple occasions from several Clarkston penalties.
‘We had a couple offsides, a couple holding, we had a touchdown get called back. There’s some things we need to work on,? Richardson said.
‘I wish we could have moved the ball more at the beginning of the game. Our defense gave up big plays and that’s something we talked about. Otherwise, for the first game, we did pretty good,? Royal Oak coach Terry Powers said.
Richardson said Popp is healthy after having surgery in the springtime to remove extra bones in both feet. The condition last season caused Popp to ‘roll his ankles,? Richardson said, and caused the running back to miss playing time.
Richardson liked what he saw from his quarterbacks and noted they will both be taking snaps this season.
Clarkston travels to West Bloomfield Thursday for another interdivisional game. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:55 p.m. The Wolves beat the Lakers 28-7 last season in the second week.