The Clarkston varsity football team needs confidence, but must avoid overconfidence, as they look forward to their toughest opponents of the season the next two Fridays.
That evaluation came from coach Kurt Richardson following yet another Clarkston victory Friday, Oct. 10. This time the Wolves came away with a 28-14 win over Troy Athens, and the team carries a 5-0 league record, 7-0 overall.
Friday’s matchup against Farmington Hills Harrison (6-0 OAA-I, 6-1 overall) will be followed by a visit to Lake Orion (6-1, 4-1).
Against Athens, quarterback Sam Palace (who did not play the previous week because of a leg injury) went eight-for-15 in the passing department for 90 yards and one touchdown. Richardson estimated that Palace is back to 90 percent of fully healthy.
Ryan Kaltz scored that TD as part of his three receptions for 48 yards, and Kyle Rademacher also caught three for 33 yards.
Scott Lyons ran 181 yards on 29 carries, and scored three touchdowns in the process (20, eight and six yards, respectively). Having only started the last two games, Richardson said Lyons has compiled 451 rushing yards this season.
“It seemed the game was a series of long drives,” Richardson said, and he was more satisfied with the team’s first half performance than the second.
On defense, Brendan Quisenberry was credited with five tackles and one assist, with Jason Talbot making three tackles and one assist.
Nick Blackstone and Mark Thornberry are still out with previous injuries, but the bench has stepped in to fill the gaps.
“The kids have responded well,” Richardson said, but the final two games of the season will test their character and their execution.
Harrison has 12 state championships and one player who has already signed a letter of intent to the University of Michigan and is considered to have the “premier program” in Michigan.
“You’ve got to go in there with confidence,” Richardson said. “They put their pants on the same way we do.”