Week Fourteen Recap.

Written Saturday November 25th at 10:30 PM

Muskegon 28, HARRISON 10.

It was going to be a tough chore for the Hawks as they ran into a buzz saw that was Muskegon. The Big Reds finished the season unbeaten and their first State title since 2008. Harrison had no answer for LaDarius Jefferson on the ground had 245 yards on 42 carries with four rushing touchdowns (eight, 14, one, and three yards.) Jefferson showed why he was Mr. Football in the State of Michigan. The Hawks offense only ran 30 plays all night. Muskegon had a good game plan which was use their big offensive line and Jefferson’s playmaking ability to wear down Harrison. The Hawks started the game hot as Ben Williams took the opening kickoff 91 yards to give Harrison an early lead but the Big Reds answered thanks to Jefferson and their big offensive line. Jefferson scored his first rushing touchdown from eight yards out. The Hawks answered with a 26 yard field goal from David Hiser closing out the first quarter but Muskegon showed their will the rest of the game behind Jefferson and their big offensive line as Jefferson scored on a 14 yard touchdown run, and then in the second half Jefferson added two more touchdowns putting the game away. This was a masterful coaching job for coach John Herrington with the lack of depth that he had to get to the State Championship Game also they didn’t make the playoffs last season and to get here was a huge accomplishment. Harrison finishes the season at 11-3. The Hawks should be solid next season in its final season as a school.

CLARKSTON 3, WEST BLOOMFIELD 2.

This was the second lowest scoring game in MHSAA State Football Playoff history. The Wolves took home their third State Title in five years by shutting the Lakers potent offense down in what was a shocking score. Clarkston’s defense was the story since the second half of the Holland West Ottawa game where they have held their last three opponents to seven points. The two points allowed was against the Wolves offense on the safety and they created three turnovers including one in the end zone. West Bloomfield’s offense out-gained Clarkston 285-117 including a 114-33 through the air but they struggled to score in the last eight quarters scoring just nine points. Penalties and lack of discipline did the Lakers in which they were penalized 11 times for 105 yards. The Wolves got a 30 yard field goal by Jermaine Roemer with two seconds in the first half which was aided by a roughing the passer penalty against West Bloomfield. The field goal ended up being the winning points. The Lakers play calling has to be questioned, especially in the third quarter when they went for it on fourth down and 11 from the Clarkston 30 yard line, instead of giving Nick O’Shea a chance to give them the lead they went for it and it didn’t convert. West Bloomfield had their chances to win this game late but Tieler Houston sealed the deal by intercepting Bryce Veasley sealing the game. The Lakers defense played really well in this game limiting the Wolves offense to just three points. Nate Uballe was five for 12 for 33 yards, Jacob Balliette and Mike Fleugel combined for 25 carries for 112 yards (Balliette 14 carries for 71 yards, Fleugel 11 carries for 41 yards), Connor Heaten had two catches for 22 yards for Clarkston whom finishes its season at 12-2. West Bloomfield which saw its 11 game winning streak snapped was led by Veasley who went 15 for 32 for 274 yards and two interceptions, Collin Heard had 11 carries for 61 yards leading the ground attack while AJ Abbott had seven catches for 79 yards, Taj Mustapha had four catches for 76 yards, and James Falkner had four catches for 56 yards. The Lakers finished its best season in school history at 11-3.