The Clarkston Football team received validation in their game Friday Sept. 10 against Farmington Hills Harrison posting a 20-7 victory.
‘In 28 years this is one of the biggest wins we’ve had,? CHS coach Kurt Richardson said.
Clarkston established a 6-0 lead early when on their first offensive play junior Mike Kittle found a gaping seam in the Harrison defense and 77 yards later was celebrating the run in the endzone.
‘Anyone could have run today. Our line was opening huge holes,? Kittle said.
Clarkston seemed to be destined to go up another touchdown when their drive was stopped abruptly at the Harrison five by an interception with 10:58 left in the second quarter. Harrison methodically mixed runs and passes on a long scoring drive capped off by a 5 yard touchdown run by Jason Self, making the score 7-6, which held up going into halftime.
‘I though they were going to throw the ball, so we had to make some adjustments,? Richardson said, adding that the power running game Harrison employed early on surprised him and his staff.
Clarkston opened the second half with a scoring drive starting on their own 29 and capped itoff when Kittle bullied his way along the sideline dragging Harrison defenders with him on a 7 yard touchdown run.
At this point Clarkston held a 12-7 lead after a failed two-point conversion. With Harrison threatening to score from the 8 yard line with 3:13 left in the third quarter the defense stepped up and wrested away possession of the ball by forcing a fumble.
‘We all did great job of applying pressure,? senior Travis Thompson said. ‘This is the most electricity I’ve seen in a long time.?
The Wolves passing game came alive late in the third quarter as senior quarterback Scott Leigh picked up a long 3rd down on a 13 yard pass play to junior Kyle Cummings. Leigh followed up with a ball delivered perfectly in stride to senior Adam Briceland who streaked into the endzone for a 75 yard touchdown play giving Clarkston a 20-7 lead after a successful two-point conversion.
‘We had to win it offensively, defensively and on special teams, and I think that’s what we did,? Richardson said.
The defense never allowed Harrison back into a game. Thompson and junior Steve McIsaak sacked quarterback Clay Richesan on Harrison’s last two drives. After an interception by Cummings with 1:33 left in the fourth quarter the Clarkston faithful who had packed the visitor’s bleachers let out a collective sigh of relief.
‘I think everyone on our team sucked it up and came out here intense and played one of our best games,? Kittle said.
In total the Clarkston team totaled 222 yards rushing, led by Kittle’s 140 yard effort. Clarkston improved its record to 2-1 overall. Clarkston’s next game is at home on Friday Sept. 17 against Troy.