By John Raffel
Clarkston now has the state’s longest high school football winning streak, at 27 games, after a 33-25 Division 1 state championship victory over Saline Nov. 29 at Ford Field. Clarkston ended the season at 14-0.
Clarkston was the only public school to win a division title this year. Private/parochial schools won the other seven titles.
Nolan Ericksen had touchdown runs of 4, 2, and 22 yards for Clarkston. Quarterback D.J. Zezula completed a 52-yard touchdown pass to Merrick Canada.
“I’m happy for our kids and our community,” coach Kurt Richardson, who has a 28-year record of 217-77, said. “We won the old-fashioned way. All these kids are homegrown. They’ve been playing together since 7 and 8 years old. That’s something that makes it special. They got great coaching from parents as they came through the program. It’s an outstanding group of kids.”
Clarkston trailed 10-7 at halftime but outscored Saline 26-15 in the second half.
“One thing about these kids, is nothing ever phases them,” Richardson said. “They’re so even keel. They don’t get riled. At halftime, they said, ‘Just play the game.’ ”
Ian Erickson was the key running back for Clarkston a year ago, and his brother did the job this time. “I don’t like to compare, but it was really cool to get the job done,” Nolan said. “I did all I can to help my team. Scoring was icing on the cake.”
“We just went with the basics to take what the team was giving us,” Zezula said. “Our coaches did a great job of calling plays that allowed me and our receivers to get open and do what they’re supposed to do.”
“The old Kurt Richardson would have blown up at half,” Richardson said. “We said, ‘Guys, we’re fine; we’re down by three and not playing well. But everything’s fine.’ I’ve learned from these guys.”
It was pointed out to Richardson that his program, frustrated by not winning state titles in the past, has done it back-to-back now.
“Sometimes you grow more with losses than with wins,” Richardson said. “We don’t do anything different. The kids got it done.”
Division 2
DeLaSallle Collegiate, 11-3, was too much for Mona Shores, 12-2, and took a 44-8 victory in the state championship game. Jake Townsley kicked a state final-record three field goals for the champions, while Allen Stritzinger had a 56-yard run and a 5-yard reception for a touchdown and also returned a blocked punt for six points. Quarterback Joey Gararino passed for a touchdown and rushed for two more.
Division 3
St. Mary’s Preparatory won 7-0 over Muskegon, in the lowest scoring game since 1993, when Mendon blanked McBain by the same score. Brandon Adams had a 1-yard run in the first quarter and kicked the extra point. Both teams ended the season at 12-2.
Division 7
Detroit Loyola defeated Ishpeming 29-8 in the state championship game. Marvin Campbell scored on touchdown runs of 47, 8, 66, and 5 yards for Loyola. He netted 215 yards on 21 carries. Loyola finished with a 14-0 record, while Ishpeming finished at 12-1. Ishpeming had beaten Loyola in the previous two title games, 22-12 and 20-14.
Division 8
Tommy Scott scored four touchdowns to lead Muskegon Catholic Central to a 31-6 victory over Munising. Munising scored in the first quarter on Austin Kelto’s 7-yard touchdown pass to Andy Cooper. But Scott responded with a 99-yard kickoff return and MCC took a 7-6 lead. Griffin Seymour kicked a 25-yard field goal to make it 10-6. Scott scored on runs of 1, 3, and 30 yards.
Muskegon Catholic Central finished the year with a 14-0 record, while Munising finished at 12-2.
8-player football
Lawrence took care of business early in the 8-player state championship football game against Cedarville on Nov. 22.
The Tigers used their explosive offense effectively and scored 28 points in the first 12 minutes en route to a 56-12 victory at Greenville High School’s Legacy Field.
Lawrence ended a perfect season at 13-0. Cedarville closed out its season at 11-2.