St. Clair Shores, Clinton Township

Prime-time preps: St. Clair Shores South Lake football vs. Clinton Township Clintondale

By Jason Carmel Davis
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Erin Sanchez Junior Jalen Dingle and the rest of his teammates hope to celebrate a win over Clinton Township Clintondale in both teams’ regular-season finale. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Oct. 19 at South Lake. Photo by Erin Sanchez Junior Jalen Dingle and the rest of his teammates hope to celebrate a win over Clinton Township Clintondale in both teams’ regular-season finale. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Oct. 19 at South Lake.

Two teams with a combined record of 13-1 will square off in a game that should have a playoff feel to it when Clinton Township Clintondale travels to St. Clair Shores South Lake in both teams’ regular-season finale.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Oct. 19 at the South Lake Athletic Complex.

The Dragons (7-0, 4-0 Macomb Area Conference Bronze Division) and Cavaliers (6-1, 3-1 MAC Silver) have already punched their tickets to the Michigan High School Athletic Association football state playoffs. That doesn’t mean either team will let up, though.

“You’ll have two good teams going at it,” Clintondale coach Dave Schindler said. “This will be just like a playoff game.”

Both teams have seen their fair share of postseason action in recent years. The playoff berth is the third straight for South Lake. The Dragons are making their fourth playoff appearance in seven years.

Giving 100 percent in the finale will set the tone for the playoffs, according to Schindler.

Cavaliers coach Chanterius Brock said in an interview earlier this season that he believes each regular-season game is a tune-up for the playoffs and it’s important for every player who touches the field to give maximum effort.

Schindler agrees.

“You always want to give your best effort no matter what game it is,” Schindler said. “That’s why you play the game.”

Clintondale and South Lake have given maximum effort in each game this season. The Dragons, in first place in the Bronze, were putting up 38.7 points per game at press time, while holding opponents to 13.3 points per contest.

The Cavaliers, in a three-way tie with Madison Heights Madison and Madison Heights Lamphere for first place in the Silver, averaged 32.6 points per game at press time. The South Lake defense is allowing 12.4 points per game.

Clintondale’s Oct. 12 matchup with New Haven and South Lake’s Oct. 12 battle with Warren Woods Tower took place after press time.

“Hopefully, our players enjoy this time of year, because for most of them, this will be the last few games of football they will ever play,” Schindler said.

In other local action:
St. Clair Shores Lakeview’s football team squares off against Grosse Pointe South in its season finale. Game time is set for 7 p.m. Oct. 19 at South.

St. Clair Shores Lake Shore’s football squad hosts Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse in their finale at 7 p.m. Oct. 19.

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Jason Carmel Davis at jdavis@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1107. Follow Jason Carmel on Twitter.