BY NORM MCKEE
Special to The Review
High school football rivalry week around the state is an exciting time, but Friday night was something special for the 6,000-plus fans jamming Dragon Stadium to watch Lake Orion take on the Clarkston Wolves.
The Dragons came out victorious, going 27-21 in double overtime over the Wolves, and face Romeo on Oct. 28 in the opening game of the play offs.
After 22 minutes of scoreless football; including Lake Orion being stopped inside the Clarkston 15-yard line, and a dramatic touchdown saving-tackle by Chase Goff; the Wolves drew first blood.
With just 1:43 minutes remaining in the second quarter, the Wolves? Nick DeVault broke free for a 72-yard scoring run.
The extra point gave the Wolves a 7-0 advantage, lasting for just 12 seconds. On the ensuing kickoff, Dragon senior Joe Nowicki broke free for a 97-yard kickoff return.
Dylan VanFossen’s kick tied the game at seven, heading into the half.
It took the Wolves just 54 seconds into the second half to score on an Eric Ogg to David Briceland 40-yard pass, to put Clarkston up, 14-7.
Lake Orion answered on their next possession, marching 80 yards in just over six minutes, capped by an Andy Miller five-yard run, and a Van Fossen kick, to knot the game at 14.
As time ran down in the fourth quarter, the Wolves appeared to be driving for a score, when pressure from Josh Allison forced an errant Ogg pass that was picked off by Dragon Troy Anderlie, ending Clarkston’s threat and forcing overtime.
In the first overtime, Lake Orion struck first, as Miller ran in from one yard out, and VanFossen’s kick put the team up, 21-14.
On Clarkston’s first OT possession, the Dragons appeared to stop the Wolves on the fourth and goal from the five yard line, however, a pass interference call gave the Wolves new life.
Clarkston’s DeVault scored on a one-yard run to tie the game at 21.
The Wolves had first possession of the second OT, with Lake Orion again stopping them and forcing a field goal attempt.
Nowicki managed to slip past Clarkston blockers to thwart the attempt and set up the Dragons? win.
Orion’s first play of the second OT was all that was needed, as Miller rambled up the middle for a 10-yard score and a 27-21 victory.
Heroic plays were plentiful for the Dragons, including key defensive stops by Allison, Anderlie, Goff and company.
A three-TD performance by Miller, and perfect kicking by VanFossen, also contributed to the team’s success.
But buzz still coming from Clarkston fans is about Nowicki, who had 120 yards on 17 carries, a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, a blocked overtime field goal attempt and nearly 300 yards of all purpose offense.
Not to be overshadowed, Miller came out big when the Dragons needed it most, picking up 55 yards on 13 carries and scoring three TDs, including the game-winner.
Sophomore Cortez McKinley racked up 88 yards on nine carries, and Aaron Allen had 20 yards on three carries.
Brad Hood connected on four pass attempts, including two to David Wurst for 25 yards, and one to Nowicki for 17.
Hood also connected on a pass to Cole Moore for seven yards.
Defensively, Allison led the team with 13 tackles and two sacks, while Saun Vernon had 10 tackles and a sack.
Scott Avery recorded nine tackles and a sack, while Goff had seven tackles.
The Dragons end their regular season 7-2, and in a three-way tie for second place in OAA I with Clarkston and Farmington Hills Harrison.
Rochester Adams takes first in OAA I with a 9-0 season.
Lake Orion opens the state tournament in Romeo (8-1), as Clarkston travels to Utica Eisenhower (8-1) for the opening round.
If the Dragons and Wolves are both victorious, the two teams will meet again at Lake Orion on Nov. 4 for the district finals.