Lake Orion vs Clarkston, Football Preview

Written, Wednesday October 10th at 12:45 AM

Friday has so much written on one game. Both teams are 7-0, 6-0 in the Red and playoff implications are at state.

When Lake Orion and Clarkston meet, there is so much history and drama at stake at Lake Orion on Friday night.

The winner will meet Oak Park (7-0, 6-0 White) while the loser will face Farmington (6-1, 5-1 White) next week. Both teams will be on the road.

Lake Orion comes in at 7-0, 6-0 in the Red and is ranked number two in the state and number one in the Dragons Den poll. The Dragons feature a running game led by Jacob Miller, Zach Arnold, Cory Ester, Chris Leigh, and Dominic Giovinnazzo. Derrick DeLaura is the quarterback and they also have Chaz Miller at receiver. Lake Orion has been dominating people averaging 44 points per game. The Dragons have a defense as well. It has only allowed nine points per game, which is number one in the Red this season.

Clarkston comes in at 7-0, 6-0 in the Red and is ranked number one in the state and number three in the Dragons Den poll. The Wolves feature a strong power running game, led by 1,000 yard rusher Ian Erickson. Erickson has had the benefit of a big and strong offensive line. Clarkston has scored 39 points per game while it has allowed only 13 points per game, which is second in the Red. The Wolves also have a quarterback in D.J. Zezula. Zezula has a strong arm and can throw well.

Here are some of the keys to the game on each position of the football to those who I didn’t mention I apologize.

THE BATTLE: The Battle is in the trenches. Clarkston has a big offensive line who is over 250 to 300 pounds led by Illinois commit Jessie Chadwell at left tackle. Lake Orion on defense is undersized up front but has a lot of speed to make up the lack of height and size, so this will be a match up to keep an eye on all night.

COACHING: Advantage: Even: Both Dragons Coach Chris Bell and Wolves Coach Kurt Richardson have had very good seasons this season. Bell does have a state championship under his belt and two state semifinal appearances to Richardson’s one. Remember last season Richardson got the last laugh winning at Clarkston last season. This match is a wash. Both Bell and Richardson are good coaches coaching two successful programs.

QUARTERBACK: Advantage: Lake Orion: The Dragons feature a senior quarterback in Derrick DeLaura while the Wolves counter with Sophomore D.J. Zezula. Both of them are baseball players and have very strong arms and can run with the football at times. The edge goes to Lake Orion in this match up because of senior experience.

RUNNING BACK: Advantage: Even: Both the Dragons and Wolves feature star running backs. The Dragons have five good backs while the Wolves have one. The reason why it’s even is because of its offense both teams run. Ian Erickson has had a 1,000 yard rushing year for the Wolves and Chris Calvano could get some touches as well but the Dragons have Jacob Miller, Chris Leigh, Cory Ester, Zach Arnold, and Dominic Giovinnazzo who can run the ball well.

WIDE RECIEVER: Advantage: Lake Orion: Clarkston is a predominantly running team with Erickson but does feature Tim Cason, who is the Wolves top receiver while Lake Orion has Chaz Miller. Miller could be a huge difference in this match up but Cason will be defending Miller though. The Wildcard in this match up is Jeremy King. If King can get involved and spread the Wolves defense out then look out.

OFFENSIVE LINE: Advantage: Clarkston: The Dragons have a very good offensive line in itself but none compares with what the Wolves have. Clarkston has depth and talent on the line, not Oxford like. Clarkston has six guys over 250 pounds to 300 pounds. The Wolves could move people around this week.

DEFENSIVE LINE: Advantage: Lake Orion: The Dragons have the speed and talent to handle the Wolves offense even though the match up is very difficult this week against Clarkston’s monsters up front. The Wolves are also fast and can tackle on defense as well but the discipline could be important in this match up.

LINEBACKERS: Advantage: Even: Derrick Williams is one of the best linebackers in Oakland County for Lake Orion. The Dragons also feature Brendan Rourke as well who could be a wildcard in this match up. Clarkston features Chris Calvano, who is also one of the best linebackers in Oakland County. So this match is a draw.

SECONDARY: Advantage: Even: Both teams have very good secondary. Lake Orion features Nick Booker, Connor Grant, Kyle Bell, and Nick Volgameyer. Clarkston features Tim Cason and Dylan Hancock who both can tackle and create havoc for opposing offenses.

KICKER: Advantage: Even: The Wolves feature a kicker who had a 53 yard field goal against Rochester in Shane Hynes. The Dragons meanwhile have Jeremy King kicking field goals. King is not a bad kicker himself. Both teams may need its kicking game especially late into the game.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Advantage: Lake Orion: The Wolves do have a good special teams group in themselves but the Dragons can put anyone out there, especially Booker and they are a threat to score everytime they get the ball.

PUNTING: Advantage: Clarkston: The Wolves again have Shane Hynes doing the punting. The Dragons have Brad Schaenzer as its punter. Both are good punters but Hynes is a bit better in getting the punt down and getting better hang time, not saying that Schaenzer can do that as well.

Friday will be fun and we’ll find out what happens.