Rochester Adams was likely left wondering if Clarkston had two number nines after falling 22-0 in the season opener for both teams.
The Wolves only have one number nine, Kevin Badgley, but he plays both sides of the ball and made plays on both sides against Adams.
Badgley struck first when he made an interception in the second quarter, which led to a Clarkston touchdown. Badgley then made his presence known offensively when he caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Eric Ogg in the third quarter.
‘Me and Ogg practiced that route hundreds of times in practice,? Badgley said. ‘We worked really hard and it paid off. We knew exactly where we were going to be.?
Clarkston coach Kurt Richardson credited the entire defense for shutting down the Highlanders offense and defensive coordinator Tony Miller.
Offensively, Eric Ogg dominated Adams. Ogg rushed for 122 yards, including a 49-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, and he threw two touchdown passes. Ogg credited the offensive line for the win.
‘The offensive line pretty much won the game,? Ogg said. ? I didn’t think they were going to do as good as they did, but they came out and dominated.?
There were some question marks facing the offensive line because the Wolves lost their entire starting offensive line from last year to graduation. Richardson said the offensive line proved all the doubters wrong.
‘I think I have to credit coach (Rich) Porritt. He is the offensive line coach and offensive coordinator. He works with those guys. He put them together,? Richardson said. ‘The biggest thing is the kids got hot. Confidence can take you so far. Coming out of that scrimmage against Orchard Lake (St. Mary’s) there were a lot of questions. I think they erased those question marks.?
The Wolves scored their first points of the season when Ryan Breen connected on a 25-yard field goal in the first quarter. Ogg made the score 9-0 when he ran for a 49-yard touchdown with 28.3 seconds left in the first quarter. The extra point failed.
Bren Bergquist extended the Wolves lead when he caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from Ogg in the third quarter. The two-point conversion failed. Badgley ended the scoring when he caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Ogg.
The Highlanders? loss was their first in the regular season since 2003. Adams coach Tony Patritto said he accepted responsibility for the loss.
‘That wasn’t Adams football,? Patritto said. ‘We got beat in every phase. Offense, defense and special teams. I give a lot of credit to Clarkston. They did a nice job, but we have to play the way we are capable of playing if we are going to have a chance in the OAA. ?
The last two seasons Clarkston opened up with a loss to Adams. The tough first game resulting in a win this season puts Clarkston in the driver seat in the OAA I race, instead of setting them back.
‘If you lose the first one, you are behind the eight-ball the rest of the way,? Richardson said. ‘Your always playing catch-up and it’s tough to catch-up.?
The Wolves will hit the field again when they travel to West Bloomfield to take on the Lakers on August 31.