Walled Lake Central cruises past Clarkston
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
CLARKSTON — Walled Lake Central made a run to the Final Four in Division 2 last season. The Vikings are now trying to do the same in Division 1 and they took another step in that direction Friday night.
Walled Lake Central pulled another road upset for the district championship, stunning state-ranked Clarkston, 43-26. The Vikings will play another state powerhouse, Utica Eisenhower, next weekend, on the road for the regional championship.
Walled Lake Central (8-3) was 4-for-4 on drives in the first half, outgaining the Wolves 247-124 for a 24-6 halftime lead.
K.J. Schultz had 101 receiving yards, 48 rushing yards and had 23 return yards — in the first half alone. The helped Walled Lake Central build a 21-0 lead by the midpoint of the second quarter and iit put the Vikings in complete control.
Schultz finished the game with 112 yard rushing yards and 101 yards receiving, part of a three-player attack that flourished behind a dominating offensive line. Quarterback Zac Leimbach was 7-for-9 passing for 132 yards and rushed 13 times for 112 yards, while Curtis Booth rushed 19 times for 100 yards even for the Vikings.
“(Schultz) has been one of our top players all season,” said Central coach Bob Meyer. “He makes a lot of plays for us. I thought our offensive line did a fantastic job.
STALLED:Clarkston's Evan Montgomery and the Wolves saw their season come to an end with a 45-26 defeat to Walled Lake Central. Photo | Larry McKee, www.lmckeephotography.com
“We do very well when Curtis Booth is able to finish the game. He missed two games this season,” continued Meyer. “When we run the triple option, he’s a big part of the triple option. He has a low center of gravity and he keeps moving.”
The Vikings continued to pile it on to start the third, as Zach Hill return a fumble recovery 11 yards for another score just seven seconds into the half. After a pair of penalties, Bryan Maxwell even kicked his extra point — from 35 yards out.
It was one of those nights for the Vikings, who amassed 413 yards of offense and committed just one turnover.
“I was surprised that (we scored that much), but I think we caught them when they were a little dinged up,” added Meyer. “We caught them at the right time. They battled even though they weren’t at full strength and you have to give them credit.”
It was a far from a perfect outing for Clarkston. The Wolves (7-4) were stagnant on offense in the first half, dropped passes and even dropped a wide-open interception. Walled Lake Central went on to score on that drive.
Schultz (1-yard plunge), Booth (9-yard sprint) and Leimbach (1-yard dive) scored on the Vikings’ first three possessions, giving them a 21-0 lead with 4:45 left in the second quarter.
Clarkston was able to dent the lead when Mitch Baenziger hit Mike Schwartz with a 41-yard TD strike. The extra point was missed and the Wolves, one of many mishaps for Clarkston on the night.
Maxwell answered with a 35-yard field goal just before the half for Central.
In the second half, Clarkston did score on three drives. Baenziger hooked up with Schwartz for an 80-yard TD strike, Baenziger scored on a 24-yard run and Joey Goss was on the end of a 23-yard strike from Baenziger for their final three scores.
The damage had already been done.
Schultz (41-yard run) and Booth (5-yard run) scored in the second half for the Vikings.
Baenziger finished the night 13-for-24 passing for 283 yards in his final prep game. Schwartz had six catches for 171 yards and two scores. Goss had four catches for 79 yards but was held in check on the ground with only 10 rushing yards, as the Wolves only chalked up 95 yards on the ground.
“They were much more physical than us. They didn’t make any mistakes and we turned the football over. I think they outcoached us and they beat our butts,” conceded Clarkston coach Kurt Richardson. “Their (running backs and quarterback) are outstanding, but their offensive line is very good. They get off the ball and they gave us fits. Those kids deserve a lot of credit, too. They are a very good football team.”
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Category: Clarkston, Featured Articles, High School, High School (M-Z), Prep Wraps
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