Clarkston wins district title on 27-26 final score after late block
A blocked extra point by senior Malachi Switzer preserved a narrow victory over Grand Blanc, giving the eighth-ranked Wolves a home game against Detroit Catholic Central.
By Rebecca Svoboda ·
Clarkston has hosted an undefeated Grand Blanc team in a district championship game for two consecutive seasons, seeking a home advantage in the regional round.
The eighth-ranked Clarkston Wolves defeated the No. 6 Grand Blanc Bobcats 27-26 on Friday night to claim the district title.
The game was decided by a single play in the fourth quarter. With 5:29 remaining, Grand Blanc senior quarterback Jake DeWitt threw a 36-yard pass to Marcus Pennell, bringing the Bobcats within one point of the lead. DeWitt then ran the ball in from the one-yard line to give Grand Blanc a 26-26 tie.
An injury to Clarkston junior Julien Mohr during the scoring play delayed the subsequent extra-point attempt. Mohr required a stretcher and an ambulance as a precaution. Grand Blanc chose to attempt the extra point rather than risk a two-point conversion.
Senior Malachi Switzer blocked the kick by moving through the left side of the line. Switzer said he knew Grand Blanc had been blocking outside all game, so he jumped the gap to secure the block.
"We knew we had to get back out there on defense, knew we had to get that block that was going to change the game," Switzer said. "I knew it was going to win us the game there, because it was the biggest momentum shift all game."
On the final drive, Wolves senior quarterback Alex Waszczenko used three runs on third down to drain the clock. He ran for nine and 28 yards before a 10-yard keeper put the team on the Grand Blanc eight-yard line with just over a minute left. The drive ended with the clock expiring.
Coach Justin Pintar noted that Mohr exhibited full movement in all extremities and was alert. Pintar believed the injury was not serious but involved significant pain in Mohr's back and chest.
"I (asked Julien) if he wanted to send a message to the team, and he said 'go win,'" Pintar said. "And right after that Malachi makes that play. That was pretty special."
The Wolves trailed by two scores at halftime. They fumbled the opening kickoff, which Grand Blanc recovered. DeWitt scored on a three-yard run, but the extra point missed wide right, leaving the Bobcats up 6-0 with 4:30 left in the first quarter.
Grand Blanc extended its lead to 13-0 with a 30-yard catch-and-run by Wyatt Booker. Clarkston's defense improved in the second half, forcing turnovers on downs and capitalizing on interceptions by Wendell Childs Jr. and Dylan St. Dennis.
Clarkston scored 20 unanswered points in the second half. Waszczenko connected with Ty Duffy for a 27-yard touchdown to open the fourth quarter, giving the Wolves their first lead of the game. A one-yard keeper by Waszczenko later made the score 27-20 with 8:26 remaining, despite a failed two-point conversion attempt.
