Top Five Games:
By Sammy Taormina
Chippewa Valley at Stoney Creek: This is going to be the Cougars biggest challenge of the season when they host Chippewa Valley on Friday night. The Big Reds come into this game riding a ton of confidence after coming back from 14-0 down to beat a very good Utica Eisenhower squad 21-14. They have a ton of experience led by quarterback Ryan Schuester along with running back Ryan Hawkins and top wide receiver Cephas Harris. Also Chippewa Valley is well coached under Coach Scott Merchant. Stoney Creek features their fair share of experience as well in quarterback Ryan Echout, running back Cam Buford, and running back Jon Fogler. They too have a proven coach in Nick Merlo. This is a perfect opportunity for the Cougars to show that they mean business especially against a proven MAC Red opponent like Chippewa Valley.
Groves at Seaholm: This is the Battle of Birmingham Part II. Think of what Caleb Knoer did against Jaden Mangham a few weeks ago stripping him of the football in the endzone in a 21-21 game in the fourth quarter and forcing a touchback. The next drive the Maples scored and earned a 35-28 victory over the Falcons in Beverly Hills on one pass attempt no less. Groves has long been waiting for revenge against Seaholm. The Maples have won the last two in this rivalry. It’s going to be very interesting in the Maple Forest.
Oak Park at Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit: The Knights picked up their first win of the season going into Grosse Pointe South and stunning the Blue Devils 35-27 last week. I think the return of ReShawn Benny has been huge for Coach Greg Carter’s team along with the improved play of quarterback James Burnley. Oak Park has played a brutal schedule playing the likes of West Bloomfield, Clarkston, Lake Orion, Southfield Arts and Tech, Oxford, and Groves and to do that against a MAC Red team in Grosse Pointe South is a statement. Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit does have some athletes as well and they played Lake Orion tough losing 7-6 in week three. The Cubs beat Grosse Pointe North 28-14 last week in Grosse Pointe. It’s shaping up to be a very interesting game between two schools that know each other well.
Grand Blanc at Clarkston: The Wolves have been rolling all season long but they were tested last week by Oxford and their time possession game. Clarkston had to survive 21-7 last week. Grand Blanc needed a double reverse, a fake punt for a touchdown, and a bad snap to earn a 28-14 victory over Lake Orion last week. The Bobcats have a prolific offense of balance and speed. The Wolves are huge up front and can beat you in different ways. Clarkston’s pass defense should be tested in this game.
Southfield Arts and Tech at Sterling Heights Stevenson: I wonder how the latest episode of “The MAC Attack with Zach and Zack” is going to feel about how Oak Park stunned Grosse Pointe South. Could it happen again with another OAA Red team beating another MAC Red team on the road??? It’s possible. The Titans have playoff experience but the Warriors have been a Jekyll and Hyde team. Southfield Arts and Tech has athletes like quarterback Isiah Marshall, running back RaeQuan Lee, wide receivers Jeff Bowens and Robert Army. Sterling Heights Stevenson has size up front and proven playmakers. With what happened to Grosse Pointe South the Titans needs to be on upset alert. Southfield Arts and Tech should come into this game playing with nothing to lose and everything to gain.