Written by Sammy Taormina
Top Five Games:
Stoney Creek at Adams: The Cougars have been a scoring machine in their last three games. They have averaged 44.6 points per game in that span thanks to a loaded offensive line led by Austin Jordan, Kevar Ellis, and company. Running back Cameron Buford has also became a story along with quarterback Ryan Echout despite not having that go to wide receiver. Stoney Creek has allowed nine points per game in that stretch as well which poses challenges to anyone remaining on the schedule. This should be their biggest test of the season when they travel to Adams to take on a Highlanders team that despite their 1-2 record they have been very competitive losing both games by a combined four points. The Highlanders have been relying a lot on Parker Picot. Picot played at wide receiver last season. He is basically playing what Anthony Patritto did last season but playing different positions. Picot is in the secondary and is also playing quarterback. He scored twice for Adams in their 20-17 loss to Seaholm last week. The Cougars have only beaten the Highlanders once in their entire existence (2014) since becoming a school in 2002 and have never won at Adams. Could all of that change this season???
Troy at Ferndale: Both the Eagles and the Colts are coming off very bad losses last week with Ferndale losing 49-8 to Allen Park. Troy lost 26-0 to Berkley at home. This will be the first meeting between the schools since 1999 with the Colts holding a 15-1 overall record. Whoever wins this game will stay in the hunt for the Blue but right now both of these teams need to get back on the right track and quickly.
Berkley at Troy Athens: There are some interesting storylines when looking at this game. Billy Keenest coached at both schools for a time. He spent one season at Berkley before going back to Troy Athens to be the head coach of the Red Hawks. The Bears are back to the Chris Sikora days at 3-0 but this will be their biggest test going to John R Road to take on an experienced Troy Athens squad. The Red Hawks have had two tough losses to by a combined 13 points but they bounced back to beat Avondale 21-13 last week. Berkley beat Troy 26-0 behind the play of quarterback Ian Domzalski and wide receiver Liam Sarris. I’m watching the battle between the Bears line and Troy Athens running back Waides Ashmon, that’s the matchup to watch.
Seaholm at Groves: The Falcons had won six straight times against the Maples but that all changed last season in the district finals when Seaholm hammered Groves in Beverly Hills 42-7. Both teams stand at 2-1 and needing this game to keep pace with Stoney Creek in the White race. The Falcons need a three touchdown performance from quarterback Jack Woods. Woods scored twice from the air and once on the ground in their 36-26 victory over North Farmington. The Maples have a ton of experience led by Will McBride whom scored the winning score in their 20-17 win over Adams last week. The experience favors Seaholm in this game but history right now would favor Groves. This is shaping up to be a very interesting game.
Clarkston at Lake Orion: The Wolves look like they are back to their normal selves after a rough 3-6 year last season earning an emotional 24-21 overtime victory over West Bloomfield. Clarkston though has had a habit of slow starts. The Wolves are loaded up front led by Rocco Splindler, Garrett Dellinger, Cole Dellinger, Owen Foster, and Ben Hass. The play of quarterback Mike DePillo and running back Ethan Clark has been huge as well for Clarkston. They both had 100 yard rushing performances against West Bloomfield last week. The Wolves said they were the underdogs last week against the Lakers, let’s see how they respond being the favorites against a Dragons squad that really struggled to find any offense last week despite winning 7-6 over Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit. Lake Orion fumbled the football three times in that game but their defense played well. The defense is the reason why the Dragons stand at 2-0 on the season. This should be a very interesting game at Lake Orion.