MILLINGTON – The Clinton Redwolves found themselves firmly on the ropes, facing the powerhouse Division 7, the Millington Cardinals, with just seconds left on the clock.
But the Redwolves came back from an 18-14 deficit with less than a minute remaining to play to beat the defending Division 7 state champions with a touchdown pitch and catch from Gradyn Whelan to Tanner Bolton, giving Clinton the dramatic 20-18 victory on Saturday, Nov. 15.
How did it happen?
Clinton went toe-to-toe with the defending state champion Cardinals on Millington’s home turf and controlled much of the game, especially the first half.
Clinton got on the board first on a clutch fourth-and-goal from the 3-yard line as Whelan found Clifford Jones for the 3-yard touchdown pass. Whelan went back to the air for the two-point conversion, finding Bryce Randolph in the end zone, giving Clinton an 8-0 lead with 26 seconds remaining in the first quarter. The 8-0 lead would hold for Clinton throughout the first half as both teams ramped up the defenses throughout the second quarter, sending the game to the half with the Redwolves leading 8-0.
Millington finally broke through on the opening drive of the second half on a quarterback keeper on fourth-and-1 as the Cardinal signal-caller scampered 34 yards for a touchdown. Clinton managed to stop the two-point conversion attempt, keeping the Redwolves in the lead at 8-6 with 9:18 to go in the third quarter.
Clinton looked to grind out the clock on their next drive, however a big sack by Millington on second down forced a third-and-long for the Redwolves offense. Millington’s defense came up huge, intercepting a Whelan pass attempt on the third-down attempt, which set up a 1-yard touchdown run, giving the Cardinals their first lead of the game at 12-8 with 6:45 left in the third quarter.
Clinton did not wait long to retake control as the Redwolves drove down the field in a hurry on their next drive, using a huge run by Jones to set up a Whelan scramble that saw the quarterback break free for a 30-yard touchdown run. The extra point was no good, but just like that, Clinton was back in the lead at 14-12 with 5:24 left in the third.
Millington retook control on the final play of the third quarter as a gadget play led to a Cardinals 14-yard touchdown run as time expired in the quarter. The two-point try was unsuccessful following a holding call, giving Millington the 18-14 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
On Clinton’s next drive, the Redwolves worked their way down the field, using a beautiful pass play from Whelan to Decari Garrison to get their offense into the redzone. Facing a first-and-goal from the 1-yard line a pair of self-inflicted wounds bit the Redwolves as back-to-back false start penalties pushed Clinton back to the 11-yard line with 6:13 left to go. Whelan dug deep and found his way down to the 2-yard line on first down, however Millington’s defense came up big on the next two plays to set up a fourth-and-goal from the 3-yard line with 4:35 left. Millington’s defense came up even bigger on fourth down, deflecting the Clinton pass in the end zone to force a turnover on downs with 4:31 to go.
Clinton’s defense came up huge on the next drive, forcing a three and out and a Millington punt, giving the Redwolves possession at the 47-yard line.
After a Millington sack forced Clinton to use a timeout facing a 3rd down and 21 from the 42 with 1:25 left it was Whelan connecting with Garrison on a sensational catch. Garrison showed full extension to pull in the huge diving grab that literally saved Clinton’s season, setting up the Redwolves offense with a first-and-goal at the 4-yard line. Two plays later a Whelan pass was tipped however Bolton brought the catch down anyway to score the huge go-ahead touchdown with 49 seconds left in the game.
Millington did what they could on the final drive, but a final Hail Mary fell harmlessly to the turf as Clinton captured the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Division 8 Regional Championship with the epic 20-18 victory.
What’s next?
With the loss the 2025 season ends for the defending Division 7 state champions from Millington at 9-3 overall.
Clinton meanwhile heads to the Division 7 state semifinals at 10-2 overall. The Redwolves will travel to Coldwater High School to face off with the Schoolcraft Eagles (10-2) on Cardinal Field in the Division 7 state semifinals at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22 The winner will move on to the Division 7 state championship at Ford Field on Nov. 30, where they will face either No. 1 Menominee or Pewamo-Westphalia who will play in the other semifinal on Saturday at Gaylord High School.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Clinton wins Division 7 regional crown, advances to semifinal with dramatic victory
Reporting by Troy Tennyson, The Daily Telegram / The Daily Telegram
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
