Lake Orion/Clarkston Possible State Final in 2013??? Maybe

Written Thursday August 1st, at 9:00 PM

Think last season if Lake Orion were to play Clarkston in the Division One State Finals at Ford Field.

Both communities would have loved it and especially the local presses in Oakland County and the surrounding Lake Orion and Clarkston areas. The MHSAA was at the Orion/Clarkston game. They saw how big both communities came out to support their team whether they were in Green and White or Blue and Yellow.

Clarkston won the game last season 21-14 and have won four of five match-ups against Lake Orion heading into the 2013 season.

In the playoffs both the Dragons and Wolves were very high in playoff points (Clarkston 114, Lake Orion 100) were separated from each other with Lake Orion which finished the season 8-1 going east into Macomb County while Clarkston, which finished 9-0 went north into Genesee County and then west.

However the game never materialized with Clarkston falling to Rockford 25-14 at Clarkston in the regional final and Lake Orion fell to Detroit Cass Tech 34-27 at Troy Athens on a controversial extra point attempt in the state semifinals.

Is it possible that these two teams can meet in the State Finals in 2013???

Yes it’s possible but the draw has to be perfect and one would have to beat Detroit Cass Tech to do so, which either the Dragons, Wolves, or anyone in Macomb County can. The west side of the state is also projected to be down again like it was last season, that’s why Clarkston went west in the playoffs last season. If the Wolves would had gotten passed the Rams then they would had played Novi Detroit Catholic Central and would had a great shot to go to Ford Field but it did not happen. Lake Orion became the buffer team out east, that’s why they were sent to play the likes of Utica Eisenhower, Sterling Heights Stevenson, and Macomb Dakota then played Detroit Cass Tech in the state semifinals.

This season both Clarkston and Lake Orion will be very good although both teams will have some flaws in 2013 (Clarkston-passing attack: Lake Orion-quarterback, line play, and linebacker.) The Wolves feature five division one recruits (Nick Matich, defensive lineman-Western Michigan, David Bettle, defensive lineman-Michigan State, Tim Cason, cornerback/receiver-Western Michigan, Shane Hynes, kicker-Kent State) including power back Ian Erickson who is going to Eastern Michigan. The Dragons trying to get to the state finals for the third time in six years not having the college talent that Clarkston has, features a lot of speed at running back led by Cory Ester, Dominick Giovinnazzo, Chris Leigh, Matt Krause, and Zach Arnold.

Last season both the Dragons and Wolves had some flaws especially with a lack of a passing attack that experts said both teams had. Both Lake Orion and Clarkston found a way to overcome them during the season and playoffs.

The MHSAA was the big loser from a season ago. The revenue would have skyrocketed for the MHSAA if these two OAA powerhouses were to play last season at Ford Field in the Division One State Finals. Ford Field would have been packed on both sides instead they did make some profit but it wasn’t a full stadium when Detroit Cass Tech played Novi Detroit Catholic Central but it would had been more if the Dragons and Wolves were to play there for the crown.

Rockford, Utica Eisenhower, Romeo, and Macomb Dakota also bring big crowds to their games and support their team. When Lake Orion played Rockford in 2008, Ford Field was packed with one side decked in Green and White and the other side in Orange and Black and when Lake Orion played Plymouth in 2010, one side was decked in Green and White while the other side was decked in Black and Silver.

Now 2013 it’s possible that Lake Orion and Clarkston will meet in the playoffs. I know for sure that October 18^th when the Dragons travel to Clarkston to face the Wolves, both sides will be packed as always for this great game and great rivalry. The MHSAA needs to take notice of this like they did last season.