Chris Bell can quote all the statistics anyone would want to hear. He can tell you how and why his Lake Orion Dragons got bounced by Clarkston, then rebounded in a close playoff loss to those same Wolves a week later
But Bell, the Dragons? veteran head football coach, also knows one important fact: Statistics ? even when they’re good ones ? don’t always tell the whole story.
Such is the case with the 2009 Dragons, who came within one win of the Oakland Activities Association Red Division title and perhaps a couple of costly penalties and turnovers of winning the playoff clash with Clarkston.
‘Besides some of the individual statistics, probably the best thing about this team is that 90 guys learned how to pull together and become a football team,? Bell said. “It is a daunting process with that many guys and we had some growing pains early. But the players found their roles, pushed each other, supported each other and became a team.?
Perhaps it showed most at the end, when the Dragons rebounded from the drubbing they took in the season finale to fall to Clarkston, 17-7, in the first round of the playoffs.
They turned the ball over twice, both times deep in Clarkston territory, the second time with the Dragons down by just three.
After giving up more than 300 yards rushing in the season finale, Lake Orion held the Wolves to 133 yards rushing (plus 109 passing) in the playoff game. The Dragons actually had a go-ahead touchdown by Danny Ney called back by a penalty.
‘It was a classic Lake Orion-Clarkston toe-to-toe battle, but one that saw us come out on the losing end,? Bell said. ‘There was no faulting the effort of our players. They played their hearts out and came to redeem themselves from our week nine performance. We did that but it wasn’t enough.?
Still, Bell knows his team can’t be judged by the last two games; it must be evaluated on the strength of an entire season.
It was a season where the Dragons struggled with fundamentals early, then got better, the way coaches like. They outscored opponents 319-164, aveaged 330 yards a game and gave up fewer than 250 yards per game.
Kim Bruce (769 yards) led the Dragons in rushing, while Marques Stevenson chipoped in 469 yards and nine touchdowns. Zack Zott was the team’s top receiver with 19 receptions for 274 yards and three touchdowns, while sophomore quarterback Sean Charette was 71-of-130 passing for 1,139 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Danny Ney emerged ‘as our home run threat,? Bell said, averaging more than 30 yards per kick return (including an 86-yard touchdown against Troy), 9.7 yards per carry and 20.4 yards per catch.
The defense was led by three-year starters Kane Hayes and Vinnie Booker. Booker, whom Bell calls ‘one of the best football players ever to play here,? was the OAA’s best punt returner. Meanwhile, Mike Nelson emerged as the team’s ‘Iron Man,? the Dragons? one true two-way player. After the first game, Nelson started both offensively and defensively and turned in an excellent all-around season.
‘Mike is one of those throwback hardworking players,? Bell said. ‘He can run, catch, block, and tackle. He does it all.?
Bell said the Dragons ‘lose a great group of seniors and we are thankful for their efforts and leadership. They won a lot of games for Lake Orion and they have maintained a solid foundation in this program.?
The Dragons return about half of their starters on each side of the ball, along with several others who contributed in many games.
‘With an outstanding off-season and a great commitment by our players, we feel like we can challenge again for a league title, and a playoff run,? Bell said. ‘There is never any satisfaction here with a loss. It brings great pain to our team because of the efforts our players put in. The highs and lows that come from this game are part of the things that make the game so great, when a team puts forth the effort and invests themselves unconditionally together for a cause. My players did that and I am proud of them.”
Staff at The Lake Orion Review extends sincere thanks to this year’s football writer, who asked that his name not be used due to other considerations. We couldn’t have done it nearly as good as you did!
Big thanks also to photographer Nick Couretas, who came through with great photos, rain or shine. Thanks, Nick!
Finally, a big congratulations to coach Chris Bell, his support staff and every Dragon football player. Great season, guys!