The Highlander faithful once again filled the stands to support the 2006 squad. Adams was set to receive the kick-off with Josh Renel just outside the end zone. The Wolves place kicker Ryan Breen, booted the ball in the end zone for the touchback. The Highlander’s started the 2006 campaign form their 20 yard line. Senior QB, Jake Wilson, just got the option / pitch to Junior Slot-back Josh Renel before he took one of many hits of the night from a Wolves defender. Renel picked up 2 yards. On 2nd down, Wilson executed an option and picked up 10 yards for a 1st down. With the ball spotted at the 32 yard line, a counter to Renel went for no gain. Senior fullback, Cory Hamilton rambled for a 5 yard gain on 2nd down. On 3rd down, Jake Wilson got stuffed behind the line of scrimmage to force the Highlander’s to punt on their first possession of the season. Josh Patten’s outstanding punt that was downed on the 15 yard line, was all for not as a holding penalty on the Highlanders forced Patten to punt now from our 20 yard line. The end result was a 30 yard advantage for Clarkston as they started their first drive from the 45 yard line. The Wolves first play from scrimmage went for a 10 yard gain and a 1st down. On the next play, senior Linebacker, Cory Gowman made a nice play and stopped the Wolves ball carrier for a 1 yard gain. Facing 2nd down and 9, senior safety, Mark Hammett, came up big and stopped the Wolves QB, Eric Ogg for a 2 yard gain. Now on 3rd down, Senior LB Alex McClelland and Jake Wilson teamed up to stop the ball carrier after a 4 yard gain. With a 4th down and 2 situation, Wolf QB Ogg picked up the first down.
With 4:07 left in the first quarter, Clarkston’s kick again sailed into the end zone not allowing the Highlander offense to get anything better then the ball spotted on the 20 yard line. The Highlander’s second possession of the season didn’t fair much better than the first. The FB dive was stuffed for no gain, a pass into double coverage was incomplete and a counter play on third down didn’t gain a yard. Patten’s punt was negated by a Clarkston penalty;” too many men on the field”. The Highlanders had a new set of downs and seemingly new hope. On 1st down Wilson’s pass to junior receiver Braden Conner was incomplete. A QB keeper by Wilson picked up 5 yards. On 3rd and 5 FB Hamilton was stopped for no gain. Josh Patten’s punt was covered by a nice open field tackle by Junior slot-back Adam Smith. The Wolves 3rd possession of the game was quick and efficient. A 5 yard gain on 1st down, followed by a 12 yard romp and another 1st down gave way to QB Ogg’s 49 yard dagger into the hearts of the Highlanders. The extra point attempt was “no good”. Clarkston: 9 Highlanders: 0
With 8:50 left in the 2nd quarter once again Breen’s kick went into the end zone for a touchback. The Highlander’s 4th possession of the game would finally cross the 50 yard line. Renel picked up 4 yards followed by a hard- nose run by Jake Wilson for a 1st down. With the ball spotted on the 30 yard line, Wilson had trouble with the snap and the ball was loose but fortunately recovered by a Highlander. On 2nd and 10, Senior slot-back Mark Hammett took Wilson’s shuttle pass and ripped-off 40 yards to move the Highlanders into Clarkston territory to the 35 yard line.
Clarkston began their 5th drive of the game with a jet-sweep to the left for another big gain of 7 yards on first down. The Wolves fumbled the ball on the next play but recovered it to bring up a 3rd and 2 situation. Senior Defensive end, Joe Bernard stopped the Ogg on the deadly QB option to force a 4th down. The Wolves punt was caught by Josh Renel whose knee downed the play at the 37 yard line. The Highlanders last possession of the half was highlighted by an 11 yard run by FB Cory Hamilton. Unfortunately, a 10 yard sack and a running play for no gain resulted in another Josh Patten punt. Adam Smith added another open field tackle and the Wolves took over the ball on the 37 yard line. Clarkston ran out the clock and took a 15-0 lead into the locker room.
Alex Verville’s kick was taken from the ten yard line and returned to the 32 yard line before Mark Hammett made the tackle. Stopping the Clarkston Offense and getting on the board had to be the order of the day for the Highlanders. Unfortunately, Clarkston Wolves were not following orders. On a series of well executed running plays that chewed up huge gains, the Wolves were knocking on the door once again. Finally, junior linebacker, Aaron McNamara slammed the door in QB Ogg’s face on the 8 yard line. On 2nd and 7, a wide open receiver made it look easy and Clarkston was on the board again. Clarkston: 22 Highlanders: 0
The Highlanders first possession of the half started again from the 20 yard line after a booming kick-off by Breen. Josh Renel picked up 3 yards followed by an incomplete pass and a fumble recovered by Senior center, Luke Hayden. Facing 4th and 12, Patten’s punt was fielded by the Wolves and both Hammett and Smith finally tackled the ball carrier after a 15 yard gain.
The Wolves drive started again in excellent field position at the 40 yard line. Again, the Wolves offense had its way against the Highlander defense. After picking up a 1st down, LB Aaron McNamara forced a fumble that was recovered by junior defensive end, Jake Heinrich. With the ball spotted on the 29 yard line, the Highlander offense tried to muster something to give them momentum. But after facing a 2nd and 9, QB Wilson was sacked for a big loss that resulted in a 3rd and 18 dilemma. A well executed screen pass to FB Cory Hamilton picked up 12 yards. Patten was back in and punted the ball 35 yards.
The next Clarkston possession witnessed the Highlander defense stopping the Wolves from scoring as once again, they marched down the field. Both LB’s McClelland (Tennessee) and Petrusha came up with big plays to stop the QB option. On 4th down from the 1 yard line, Ogg threw a fade route that was well covered and was incomplete. The 4th quarter brought a QB change and in came sophomore, Andrew Waszak. After a broken play on 1st down, Waszak picked up 9 yards for a 1st down. From the 10 yard line, Waszak’s first pass attempt was batted down. On 2nd down, Hamilton picked up 18 yards and a Highlander 1st down. After another incomplete pass, Waszak connected on a 29 yard pass to sophomore Cody Wilson. From the 45 yard line, Renel picked up 2 yards before Waszak attempted two passes that were both incomplete. Clarkston took over on downs with 6:40 left in the contest. The final Clarkston possession featured good defensive plays by Gowman, McNamara, Petrusha, and Ornazian.
Final Score: Clarkston Wolves 22 Adams Highlanders 0
Next Friday’s game is the home opener vs. Troy Athens. This writer is confident that this team will respond accordingly and play the kind of football it’s capable of. See you there.
Dan Renel