The atmosphere was charged as the Wolves’ defense line got into position at the line of scrimmage last Friday night.
Rochester Adams went through the motions trying to close in on Clarkston’s endzone and Clarkston’s linebacker Chris Calvano took action.
With 20 seconds left in the game Calvano intercepted the Highlanders pass to capture the win for the Wolves, 28-21.
“It was a typical Clarkston/Adams game,” said Kurt Richardson, head coach for the Wolves. “It is always going to be a dogfight. It is always going to be tight.”
The Wolves were first to get on the scoreboard four minutes into the game, courtesy of a 13-yard run from running back Brian Kaminsky from quarterback Mitch Baenziger.
Adams tied the score with nine seconds to go in the first quarter off Tony Annese’s 27-yard run.
Clarkston answered at the end of the next quarter. Baenziger threw a pass to Travis Smith in the right side of field into endzone with 36 seconds to go. The ball went out of bounds and the boys got into position for one more play.
Baenziger threw the ball to Smith one more time. Smith caught the ball in the endzone before Highlanders defense descended on him.
The Wolves scored again coming back from half-time break on their first possession. The action started on Clarkston’s 17-yard line after Smith caught the Highlanders’ punt and the action hit it’s peak after Baenziger made a 44-yard run a few minutes later.
Running back Joey Goss scored on a two-yard run three plays later after breaking through the Highlander’s defense and into the endzone.
The Wolves seemed to leave Rochester Adams in the dust after Kaminsky scored on a 12-yard run with 7:25 left in the game, putting the score 28-7.
“It was great,” said Kaminsky. “It was just another way to get my team up. Our offensive line was great for blocking.”
But the Highlanders pulled themselves up in a span during a three minute gap with touchdowns made by Andrew McBride and Ben Hart.
“We thought we put a nail in the coffin and they came back,” said Richardson. “They made some great plays. I liked our quarterback tonight – Mitch has stepped up and got it done. Travis was very good tonight.”
He addressed the team after the game with a closing pep talk to learn from the game.
“It was step number one,” he said.
The boys head to West Bloomfield on Thursday night for their first OAA Red match-up.
“We have to hit hard,” said Kaminsky.
Alex Barta scored four PATs on his kick attempts.
The JV team won their home opener against Adams, 42-14, and the freshman team lost, 12-6.
The varsity team kicks off at 7 p.m., 4925 Orchard Lake Road in West Bloomfield Township.