Wolves down Lake Orion to gain OAA-Red title share
BY TIM PONTZER
STUDENT CORRESPONDENT
CLARKSTON — With their backs against the wall, the Clarkston Wolves stepped up and rallied in a major way Friday night.
Clarkston, needing a sixth win to reach the postseason, came back from a 31-21 deficit in the fourth quarter with a 17-0 spurt to take down arch-rival Lake Orion, 38-31, in the final week of the regular season.
The Wolves (6-3, 6-1), who had to forfeit two games this season due to the use of an ineligible player, clinched a spot in the postseason and grabbed a share of the OAA Red Division title with Lake Orion. It marks Clarkston’s second league in three years.
“We knew that we had to beat them to win the league and get in the playoffs and we came out and did it,” Clarkston quarterback Mitch Baenziger said. “Beating Lake Orion was the only thing on our mind.”
Trailing by 10 points midway through the fourth quarter, Joey Goss helped Clarkston close the gap with a 3-yard scoring run. On their next possession, the Wolves tied the game when Alex Barta kicked a 25-yard field goal.
Lake Orion tried to answer, but the Dragons stalled out on their ensuing possession with just 1:16 to play on the Clarkston 35 yard line. The Wolves then put together a quick drive which culminated when Baenziger scored on a 30-yard rush with 50 seconds to play.
“Our kids were resilient,” Clarkston head coach Kurt Richardson said. “They just kept battling and battling and we found a way to win in the end.”
Baenziger had 215 yards throwing the football and scored two touchdowns for Clarkston, which has now qualified nine straight seasons. Joey Goss had 22 carries for 95 yards to lead the Wolves’ rushing attack. He also scored three rushing touchdowns.
Lake Orion trailed early 7-0, but turned the tables on Clarkston in a hurry. Chaz Miller and Jacob Miller both scored touchdown runs to put the Dragons up 14-7. Jeremy King also hit a 35-yard field goal to help Lake Orion build a 17-14 lead going into the locker room.
Jacob Miller caught a touchdown pass to put Lake Orion up 24-14 in the third quarter. On two separate occasions, the Dragons had 10-point leads but to no avail.
Both times, Clarkston gained the momentum back.
Senior quarterback Sean Charette went 13-of-28 passing for 205 yards and three touchdowns for Lake Orion (6-3, 6-1). Robert Aiello also caught a touchdown for the Dragons.
Both Clarkston and Lake Orion will learn who they play Sunday night when the MHSAA releases the playoff pairings. Over the years, the two teams have played each other in the postseason several times.
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High schools and colleges in the NorthOaklandSports coverage region include Auburn Hills Avondale, Auburn Hills Oakland Christian, Auburn Hills Christian Academy, Clarkston, Clarkston Everest Collegiate, Clarkston Springfield Christian, Holly, Lake Orion, Lake Orion Baptist, Lake Orion Shalom Baptist, Ortonville Brandon, Oxford, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, Rochester, Rochester Adams, Rochester Stoney Creek, Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest, Troy, Troy Athens, Troy Bethany Christian, Troy Christian Leadership Academy, Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes, plus Rochester College, Oakland University and Oakland Community College.
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Category: Clarkston, High School, High School (M-Z), Lake Orion, Prep Wraps
Come On Man Stop being a Clarkston Wolves fan. Lake Orion just gave up. Lake Orion won that game an Clarkston knows it too. Lake Orion had the lead with what 8 mintues left? Clarkston is a good team but won’t make far in Playoffs…. Lake Orion will beat them Next week if they play again