BY PAUL KAMPE
Clarkston News Staff Writer
Clarkston football Coach Kurt Richardson’s concerns about homecoming week distractions facing his team were laid to rest on Sept. 29, after the Wolves held another opponent scoreless.
The Wolves (6-0) dominated Royal Oak (4-2) 30-0, with their passing game, one week after breaking Troy Athens with their running attack.
‘When we stopped the run, they just put it in the air, we couldn’t stop everything. We took away one thing (rushing) and they did the other, they’re a good football team,? Ravens Coach Terry Powers said.
Clarkston Quarterback Eric Ogg passed for 189 yards and 3 touchdowns in the victory.
The Wolves kicked off the scoring at the end of the first quarter with an eight-play, 41 yard drive kept alive by a 4th and 14 conversion. The play came after a sack and a 5-yard penalty pushed them back 14 yards. Clarkston’s Jimmy Popp picked up a 3-yard touchdown run at 3:58.
Kicker Ryan Breen continued his driving-range type kickoffs after each Wolves? possession and redeemed himself with a 25-yard field goal at the end of the first, after missing the point after on the team’s first score.
The Wolves converted another fourth down situation from their own 38-yard line in the middle of the second quarter. That helped set up a 56-yard connection from Ogg to Tight End Bren Bergquist at 3:53.
Linebacker Bryant Craft knocked the ball loose on a Ravens rush and Clarkston recovered at the Royal Oak 45-yard line. Craft had six tackles on the night.
They closed the half as Ogg passed to Wide Reciever Kevin Badgely, who out-jumped the two defenders covering him, for the touchdown and a 23-0 lead.
Bergquist scored another touchdown on a 9-yard diving catch in the corner of the end zone to cap the Clarkston scoring at 30. He finished the night with 75 yards receiving.
Richardson said the passing game performed very well.
‘I thought Eric Ogg, Badgley and Bergquist were awesome,? he said.
He added the Wolves? assistant coaches have done a great job preparing the team on defense.
‘Coach (Tony) Miller is doing a great job with them, they bent a little bit, but they didn’t break, another shutout.?
‘We’re in the dance,? Richardson said. The win grants Clarkston a berth in the Oakland Activities Association playoffs, beginning at the end of the month.
Clarkston remains tied with cross-town foe Lake Orion at 6-0, for the lead in the OAA Division One standings. The teams will meet in a season ending showdown on Oct. 20 at CHS.
The Wolves take on the Rochester at 7p.m. on Oct. 6 at CHS.