B y Terry Foster
WHMI.com

South Lyon coach Jeff Hanson still managed to smile Friday while all the ugly of a second-half collapse played in his mind following a 37-16 loss to Clarkston in The Battle at the Big House in Ann Arbor.
Hanson smiled because his main guy, his dad, approached him on the sidelines at Michigan Stadium.
“I got you front row seats to see this beat down tonight,” Hanson joked to his dad.
Hanson isn't sure how many of these games his 82-year-old dad can attend. It is difficult for him to get around but dad will walk through burning, hot Coles to see his son coach the Lions.
They posed for a photo against the backdrop of this iconic stadium. Dad comes to all his son’s games, rain or shine, victory or defeat. That’s been the case since Jeff played pee wee football as a youth. And it’s the same in adult life where Jeff manages a successful program in South Lyon.
Dad smiled because love triumphs over defeats.
Dad saw South Lyon play some really good football for much of the night. However, two third quarter turnovers flipped the field in Clarkston’s favor, and the Lions could never get it back.
Clarkston quarterback Alex Waszcaenko began wheeling and dealing mostly with his feet. Running back Kiernan Riddle broke off a 75-yard touchdown run and plunged across the goal line for another touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Clarkston outscored South Lyon 24-0 in the second half, turning what had been a close game into a blowout.
South Lyon senior running back Tyler Newton gave the Lions hope when he tied the game 7-7 on a six-yard jet sweep that answered Clarkston’s opening drive touchdown. It was 17-10 Clarkston at the half before everything began to unravel because of turnovers and Clarkston's talent.
“I would say we have a lot of work to do up front,” Hanson said. “Not an excuse. Our kids worked hard off season, so we have to work harder on what we do and get them to trust the process.”