FOOTBALL: Chippewa Valley stymies Clarkston for D-1 state crown
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
Twitter: @LocalSportsFans
Instagram: stickradtdan
DETROIT — Perfect.
A perfect play in the final minute allowed Clinton Township Chippewa Valley to capture its first perfect season in school history.
Senior Michael Garwood stuffed Clarkston’s Josh Luther on a two-point conversion attempt with 23 seconds left in helping the second-ranked Big Reds stymie eighth-ranked and defending state champion Clarkston, 31-30, in the MHSAA Division 1 state finals at Ford Field.
Chippewa Valley (14-0) scored on two drives in the opening six minutes and added a kickoff return in the second quarter to open up a comfortable lead that it would not relinquish, and the Big Reds captured their first Division 1 state title and second overall state crown.
Chippewa Valley captured the D-2 title back in 2001 in the Big Reds’ only other appearance in a state title game — holding off Clarkston down the stretch.
“What a legacy this group of seniors left for everybody else that comes through here,” said Chippewa Valley coach Scott Merchant, who’s team lost in the D-1 regional finals last season to Detroit Cass Tech, 32-26. “We captured our first Division 1 state championship in our 56 years as a program. We finished 14-0 for the first time. We defeated (Utica) Eisenhower twice in one season for the first time. We were undisputed MAC Red (Division) champions for the first time and we got to the finals and won a state title. What else could you ask from them?”
Chippewa Valley prevailed, even though there was some intense moments in the fourth quarter.
Clarkston (11-3) got the ball back with 2:05 left and quickly drove down the field using 10 plays over 78 yards — capped by Matt Miller’s 7-yard catch in the end zone from senior quarterback Jake Jansen.
The Wolves opted to use receiver Luther as a quarterback on the conversion play, but he could not find an open receiver and was halted on the Chippewa Valley 2. The Wolves’ onside kick attempt came up short.
Clarkston was making its fourth appearance in the D-1 state title game in six years and 16th straight postseason appearance overall. The Wolves own three state titles, one state runner-up and seven total Final Four runs over a 20-year stretch.
Veteran Clarkston coach Kurt Richardson, who owns 254-89 record over 32 seasons, did not second guess his staff’s decision to go for two and the win during the waning seconds.
“We’ve been aggressive forever,” offered Richardson. “We decided to go for two — everybody was all in on that decision. We came up short but we’d do it again. We had the momentum and the way we were playing, we opted to let our offense try to win it.
“This was still a great high school football game. We came up short, but it was still a great game,” added Richardson.
Chippewa Valley withstood Clarkston’s comeback, even though the Wolves outscored the Big Reds 20-7 in the second half.
“Clarkston was the champs, and I respect that they tried to go for the win,” said Merchant. “We came up with the big play in the end and won by one. It could’ve gone the other way. We’ll take it.”
Chippewa Valley built a 14-point lead in the third quarter when Martice Bunting hauled in a 25-yard TD reception off a Thomas Schuster pass, which gave the Big Reds a 31-17 cushion with 1:17 to go in third stanza.
Jansen pulled Clarkston to within 31-24 when he raced 44 yards up the middle of the field for the score with 0:15 remaining in the third period.
“We kept grinding and grinding and came back on them,” said Richardson. “I thought (Jake Jansen) kept getting better and better as a player this season and as a leader. He got us back into this game and gave us a chance to win it (in the last minute). I’m sure this stings a little bit, but we were down 14 points at the half and still came back.”
Chippewa Valley scored on its opening drive of the contest when Andrew Chenault raced into the end zone from 3 yards out with 9:34 to go in the opening frame.
The Big Reds converted again with 6:05 to go in the first period, this time with Bunting catching a 36-yard touchdown strike from unheralded senior quarterback Tommy Schuster, who passed for 26 touchdowns against just one interception this season.
Clarkston countered with a 38-yard field goal Tristan Mattson with 2:52 left in first quarter, only to see Chippewa Valley’s Nico Kepi respond with a 36-yard field goal of his own with 4:45 to play in the first half for a 17-3 lead.
Clarkston’s Jake Honstetter scored on 3-yard run with 41 seconds left in first half to close the gap down to 17-10 and temporarily gain the momentum back for the Wolves.
Chippewa Valley’s David Ellis returned the ensuing kickoff 94 yards for paydirt with 26 seconds left in half to give the Big Reds a 24-10 lead at the break. It was Ellis’ seventh kickoff or punt return for a touchdown on the season.
“That was a big play because it gave us back the momentum,” said Merchant. “But Clarkston has been here before (in recent years) and we knew they would give us a run. They (won three titles in the past is years) and Coach Richardson is a great coach.”
Schuster was an MHSAA finals record 13-for-13 passing for 205 yards and two touchdown passes for Chippewa Valley. Bunting had 66 yards on three catches and Ellis also hauled in three catches for 58 yards for the Big Reds.
He’s not 6-4, but he’s a great quarterback and does a great job leading this team,” added Merchant of Schuster. “I think some college is going to gain a great winner who will lead their offense one day.”
Chenault added 12 carries for 67 yards, while Myles Harris had eight tackles, Jonathan Zak added six tackles and Garwood five tackles for Chippewa Valley. Ja’Von Kimpson had the game’s only interception for the Big Reds.
Jansen led Clarkston with nine carries for 121 yards while passing 10-for-15 for 110 more yards for the Wolves. Jake Billette added 70 yards on 11 carries, Luther had 51 yards on four catches and Conor Donahue added three catches for 48 yards.
Luther, Max Hicklin, Aron Berti, Brendan Barker and Zach Reid all had six tackles for the Wolves.
Category: Clarkston, Featured Articles, Football, High School, High School (M-Z), Most Recently Updated Stories, NOS reference, Prep Wraps, Sport, Top Stories, Uncategorized
