Lake Orion saw its undefeated season vanish Friday night as Farmington Hills Harrison ended the Dragons’ hope for a perfect season, for the second straight year, winning the varsity football contest 21-7.
Senior quarterback Nate Recknagel began moving the Dragons, completing his first three pass attempts, in what appeared would be an offensive domination of the Hawks. However, during the first series, Recknagel suffered a serious knee injury on a quarterback-keeper, while attempting to reach first down markers.
The loss of Recknagel seemed to cause a temporary letdown for the Dragons, allowing Harrison to score three times in the following eight minutes. Junior Bobby Clouse was brought into the game for Recknagel, and finished 3-for-18 with 47 yards.
Other than the eight-minute span following Recknagel’s injury, the Dragon defense held the Hawks in check for the rest of the game. Lake Orion’s only score came on a Roger Allison-six-yard-run in the third quarter.
Offensively, Harrison out-gained Lake Orion 198 yards to 195 yards, with Allison leading all rushers with 105 yards on 30 carries, compared to the Hawks’ running back, Charles Stewart, who gained 61 yards rushing. Allison and Stewart will be teammates at the University of Michigan next year.
It is uncertain at this time what the extent of Recknagel’s injury is, or when, if at all, he will be able to return to action for the Dragons.
The win moved Harrison into a tie for the OAA lead with unbeaten Clarkston, as both schools square off Friday night. Lake Orion will travel to Rochester Adams, where the Highlanders will look to avenge two losses this season, one to Clarkston (20-17) and one to Harrison (13-12).