As the clock ticked down to zero, fluttering spirit flags and deafening cheers filled Ford Field, hailing our hometown gridiron heroes as state champs for the second year in a row.
‘I’m just happy for our kids and our community,? said Kurt Richardson, long-time Clarkston Varsity Football head coach. ‘We won this the old-fashioned way. All these kids are home-grown. They have been playing together since 7- and 8-years-old ? that makes it special.”
The Wolves emerged victorious at Saturday’s MHSAA Division 1 Championship, beating Saline, 33-25.
“They got great coaching from parents as they came through the program,” Richardson said. “Just an outstanding group of kids. They are pretty darn good and they get it done in clutch. Nothing ever fazes them. At half time, it was like we were up 25-nothing. They just play the game.?
Junior running back Nolan Eriksen led the team with three touchdowns, the same his older brother, Ian, contributed to the score during last year’s championship game.
‘I don’t like to compare Ian and I, but it was really get the job done,? Nolan said. ‘Do whatever I can to help my team. Scoring was just icing on the cake.?
Neither team scored until the second quarter, and it was Saline’s Kevin Gross to score on a 28-yard touchdown with 8:29 remaining in the half.
Clarkston took possession of the ball and held onto it until they scored with 33 seconds to go with a 4-yard touchdown run from junior running back Nolan Eriksen and a PAT from junior kicker Alex Kessman.
It only took four plays for the Hornets to take the lead as they kicked a 39-yard field goal from William Breen as the quarter ended.
The Wolves headed to the locker room to prepare for the second half and a plan not to change a thing – to stick to the game plan.
‘These kids have taught me something,? Richardson said. ‘The old Kurt Richardson would have blown up at half and at two turnovers. I just told them ‘we are fine. We didn’t play well. We are getting the ball so everything is fine.? I learned it from these guys.?
‘In big games like this you can overthink it so much,? senior quarterback DJ Zezula added. ‘You can watch film until your eyes bleed but what you need to do is get back down to the basics.?
The Wolves opened the second half with a 52-yard touchdown pass play from Zezula to senior wide receiver Merrick Canada, putting the score 13-10.
Nolan closed the third quarter with a 2-yard run touchdown with 47 seconds remaining.
The Wolves? next possession in the last quarter began with a bang as Zezula held onto the ball and broke past the Hornets? defense. He ran 70 yards before he landed in the endzone.
‘I couldn’t be happier with my offensive line,? Zezula said. ‘If you watch that play it just opens up great. Our tackle, Adam Matich, pulls around and he just creates a huge hole and no one is there. There was nothing on me but running fast. They all did the hard work. All I could see was the end zone.?
With 1:57 remaining in the game, Nolan scored his third touchdown on a 22-yard run, finishing the game with 173 rushes on 28 carries.
‘I don’t have much to do with the offense besides say ‘give Nolan the ball,?? Richardson said.
Zezula carried the ball 17 times for 129 rushes. He completed 6-of-9 passes for 100 yards. Canada caught two of the passes for 66 yards and senior Austin Egler also caught two passes for 11 yards.
Senior Jack Selke led defense with three tackles and five assists and Canada had four tackles and two assists. Egler had two tackles and six assists.
Senior Dayne Rogers had seven assists plus one sack and senior Bryce Witherspoon had four assists and one sack.
The Hornets had a hard time getting past senior Cole Chewins as well, as he had one block and broke up three passes.
The senior class has gone 39-2, with a winning streak of 27 games since the second game of 2013. It’s Michigan’s longest winning streak.
‘Only losing two at Clarkston is pretty amazing. I want to pave the way to the younger kids,? Zezula said.
Richardson added the bar was raised for the younger players.
‘They watch these kids and they see how it’s done,? he said. ‘Hopefully it sets a great example for them to follow. They are hungry for it.?
‘They broke the mold and created their own model,? said Defensive Coordinator Tony Miller. ‘Clarkston Football is going to be around for a while. The talent we have coming up is exceptional.?
‘Last year was to break the mold and break the dark cloud over Clarkston that we would never win,? added Zezula. ‘This year was building a legacy, building a tradition we were going to do it the hard way. We are going to do better if we put in 100 percent. We are just going to do it simple and do it the Clarkston way. Coach Richardson and all the coaches do a great job ? just working on the little things?
Clarkston fans filled the stands at Ford Field and were also rallying behind their team around the nation.
‘Our community is awesome,? Richardson smiled. ‘They show up and anytime we need something they are there for us. This is my hometown and I love it to death.
‘I want to give kudos to my assistant coaches,? he added. ‘They do a tremendous job. I would be lost without them.?