Going Home

Still root, root, rooting for the home team

For those of you who are just tuning in or don't remember, this blog has a home team: the Clinton Township Clintondale football team.

Several players from Clintondale came out to Fletcher Field last October to help plant shade trees at the park, so we adopted the Dragons, who made it all the way to the state semifinals before losing in heartbreaking fashion to Croswell-Lexington, 27-26.

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Turkey Bowl II

Last year we tried to organize a touch football game at Fletcher Field on Thanksgiving itself, which didn't go too well. I think too many folks were watching the parade, the Lions and spending time with family to make it out to the park.

This year, we've decided to play the game the Sunday before Turkey Day -- this coming Sunday.

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Clintondale goes down fighting

Croswell-Lexington 27, Clintondale 26.

The thing that has kept me a sports nut for so many years is that the games inspire me -- seeing athletes playing their guts out, leaving it all on the field, rising above their talent level.

I saw that from both teams on the gridiron at Clintondale High School tonight.

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Weekend reminders

The blog's home team, Clintondale High School, plays host to Croswell-Lexington in a regional championship football game Friday at 7 p.m. Clintondale is located at 35200 Little Mack, Clinton Twp., 48035.

All are welcome to attend Monday's Friends of Fletcher Field meeting at the Shield of Faith activity building, formerly the Holy Name convent, at 7 p.m. We will be putting together the Thanksgiving baskets for distribution in the neighborhood on Nov. 23. We will also discuss the Dec. 6 living nativity at Fletcher Field.

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Clintondale, our home team, wins district title

Clintondale avenged its 42-38 loss to Marine City earlier this season with a 49-41 victory tonight in the high school state football playoffs.

Clintondale (10-1) secured its first district title since 2003 and snapped the defending Division 4 state champion Marine City's 23-game winning streak.

Maurice Bushner led Clintondale, rushing for 258 yards and three touchdowns.

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Clintondale earns a rematch

In keeping with the holiday, the blog's home team, the Clinton Township Clintondale Dragons, were frighteningly good tonight.

This is Dragon Country.

Opening the Division 4 football playoffs at home, the Dragons routed the Rams of Madison Heights Lamphere, 40-21.

Daniel Sawicki set a Clintondale record, scoring five touches -- three rushing, one passing and one on an interception return.

The Dragons improved to 9-1 for the season, their only loss coming in heart-breaking fashion at Marine City on Oct. 3. They now have the opportunity to avenge that loss.

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On to the state playoffs

This past Sunday, several players from the Clinton Township Clintondale football team joined us at Fletcher Field to plant shade trees.

Well, in my estimation, that now makes the Clintodale Dragons the blog's home team. And our home team deserves a big round of applause tonight after going on the road and defeating Sterling Heights, 39-27.

Maurice Bushner (169), Michael Delano-Johnson (138) and Daniel Sawicki (100) all rushed for at least 100 yards. Delano-Johnson threw for one touchdown and ran for two more.

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How 'bout them Dragons

Congratulations to the Clintondale Dragons, who went toe-to-toe with the defending state champion Marine City Mariners tonight in St. Clair, Mich.

As a former columnist for CBS SportsLine and a longtime fan of every sport that includes a ball, I've covered a lot of football, including Peyton Manning's first game with the Indianapolis Colts and Barry Sander's last with the Lions. But I can honestly say tonight's game was one of the most remarkable I have ever watched from the grandstands.

Clintondale, whose defense is coached by Fletcher Field regular Bob Walmsley, led by 10 points with about 3 minutes to play. Marine City rallied, though, and scored on a disputed pass reception in the back of the end zone with 3 seconds left.

Final score: Marine City 42, Clintondale 38.

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