BY WENDI REARDON PRICE
Clarkston News Sports Writer
Kickers are ready to go into the post season following their week-long break after finishing the regular season.
The Clarkston Boys Varsity Soccer team received a bye the first round of the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1, District 12 playoffs.
“We don’t play until Tuesday (Oct. 19) so it’s good to go onto training field and work on some things we need to improve on, fix or develop,” said Ian Jones, head coach. “It’s actually worked out by having a seven-team bracket, getting a bit of time off. You are more fresh than everyone else you have to play.”
The Wolves play Davison in the district semifinal. The Cardinals won their district quarterfinal game against Lapeer, 1-0.
Jones added if the boys are at their best, they will be fine.
“At playoff time anything could go wrong,” he pointed out. “We play to our ability and hopefully come out unscathed and ready for Thursday.”
He added the boys have lots of strengths going into the playoffs including their ability to score.
“We are constantly scoring goals in every game,” Jones said. “Even if we are behind, we come back with a win or at least tie.”
He added 18 of the players have scored this season.
“We have goals from anywhere on the field. It shows they are playing well. We aren’t relying on one or two players to carry us,” Jones said, adding it helps the opponents have to worry about more players who can score.
The Wolves finished the regular season with a 2-2 tie against Stoney Creek, Oct. 11. The tie put them with an overall record of 12-2-2 and an OAA Red record of 3-2-2.
“We controlled pretty much the whole game,” Jones said. “It was a good opportunity to get everybody into the game and get everyone minutes going into playoffs. It was a way of keeping everyone fresh.”
The Cougars took control with the first goal and junior Richie Ludwig tied the game before the first half ended.
The Wolves opened the second half to take the lead with a goal from senior Liam Zimmerman.
Stoney Creek put their second goal in the net to tie the game with less than eight minutes left on the clock.
The Wolves defeated Berkley on Oct. 7, 3-1, with goals from Zimmerman, senior Nate Thomas and senior Chase VanVallis. They defeated North Farmington on Oct. 5, 4-1.
Clarkston defeated Davison, 8-0 in the district semifinal, which they ended the first half with a strong 6-0 lead on Tuesday. The Wolves play Oxford in the district final on Thursday, Oct. 21 at Lake Orion High School, 7 p.m.
The district champion plays in the MHSAA Division 1 Boys Soccer Regional 3 Semifinals on Tuesday, Oct. 26. The regional final is on Thursday, Oct. 28. Both games are at Novi Meadows Stadium, 7 p.m.

  Clarkston Boys Varsity Soccer, Soccer