by Becky Andrus | Jan 11, 2021 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
By Sammy Taormina
Oak Park at Warren DeLaSalle: The Knights have become a story as of late posting four victories in the postseason including a stunning 30-23 victory over Livonia Churchill in the regional finals last week. Oak Park will have a very tall task ahead of them as they will travel to Wayne State to play Warren DeLaSalle. The Pilots and Knights are no strangers to each other especially in the postseason. Warren DeLaSalle has eliminated Oak Park in two of the last three years including a 35-7 home loss in 2018 and a 14-7 loss in 2017. The Pilots had a very turbulent offseason with a hazing scandal that caused a ton of changes in the administration at Warren DeLaSalle. They named Dan Rohn as the new head coach back in March taking over for Mike Giannonie whom ended up taking over at New Baltimore Anchor Bay. Rohm had a ton of success coaching at Grand Rapids West Catholic. Warren DeLaSalle has a very good quarterback in Brady Drogosh. He is a very good runner and passer. Brett Stanley is very solid at running back and is also the team’s punt returner. He had two rushing touchdowns against Warren Mott. The Pilots also have very talented wide receivers Alton McCullum and Jack Yanachik. Their top defender is Will Beesley. Drogosh is an RPO quarterback. He was very instrumental throwing for a touchdown and rushing for a score against Warren Mott last week in a 45-3 blowout. Warren DeLaSalle had 395 total yards of offense in that game. The Pilots really haven’t been that tested in the postseason despite wins over Roseville, St. Clair Shores Lakeview, Port Huron and Warren Mott by a combined 174-23. They do play in the always tough Catholic League with Birmingham Brother Rice, Orchard Lake St. Marys, and Novi Detroit Catholic Central in the Catholic League Central going 2-1 with a 21-13 win over the Eaglets. Their losses were to Birmingham Brother Rice 27-25, Novi Detroit Catholic Central 13-10, DeWitt 43-3, and Detroit Cass Tech 35-0. What should help the Knights in this game is that they played in the Red and have played schools with more than 2,000 kids (Lake Orion, Oxford, and Clarkston.) They have been on the road a ton so this will be nothing new for them. They are playing with nothing to lose and everything to gain.
West Bloomfield at Belleville: This is round three between the Lakers and Tigers. Both teams have been dominant in the postseason and have been on a collision course. West Bloomfield has been rolling very good teams in the regular and in the postseason. They have outscored their last seven opponents since the loss to Clarkston 323-23 including their last two opponents in Sterling Heights Stevenson and Romeo by a combined 115-20. Donovan Edwards has had 10 touchdowns in the last two games for the Lakers. West Bloomfield has had a lot of trouble with Belleville and they will be going back to Wayne County for a third straight year. The Lakers have lost to the Tigers in the last two years which included a 13-10 loss in 2018 and a 27-22 loss in 2019 in which they blew a 22-0 lead. Belleville has been very dominant in the postseason in 2020-2021. They have outscored their last eight opponents by a combined 474-60 in that span including a combined 177-46 in the postseason. The Tigers have a very talented quarterback in Christian Dhue-Reid. He has the State’s career record holder for touchdown passes at 132 including 37 passing scores this season. Belleville is well coached under Jermaine Crowell. This has been the round the Tigers have had problem where they have lost in the last two years. They fell 22-19 to Brighton last season and 28-16 to Chippewa Valley in 2018. Belleville besides Dhue-Reid is very talented with wide receivers Darrel Johnson and Tyree Lockett whom had two touchdowns against Detroit Cass Tech and a very good running back in Kobe Johnson. Belleville is very good defensively. The numbers have proven why they have been dominant. They have a very good defensive lineman in Damon Payne. Payne has had a strong year for the Tigers. Belleville’s linebacking core is very solid in linebackers Cameron Dyson, Aaron Alexander, Ahzahnn Byrd, along with JaShawn Green. The secondary is very good as well in defensive back Myles Rowser whom didn’t play and Charles Wilson whom is also in the secondary. The Tigers had three defensive touchdowns in their game against the Technicians in a 43-10 blowout. Belleville will pose a huge challenge to quarterback Alex Short. This could be the best defense he has seen all season long. It will be a huge challenge for Coach Ron Bellamy and his staff but this is something that the Lakers have been waiting for two years.
by Becky Andrus | Jan 11, 2021 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Covering all 22 OAA teams with insight and thoughts on each team from Northern Oakland County to Southern Oakland County.
Sunday, January 10, 2021
By Sammy Taormina
A Look Back At Oak Park’s Incredible Journey, Still Going On.
Written Sunday January 10th at 1:00 PM
When the State Playoffs began the Oak Park Knights just went 0-6 after playing a very difficult Red schedule going up against Clarkston, Lake Orion, Oxford, Southfield Arts and Tech, and West Bloomfield. They were heading to Grosse Pointe to play a Grosse Pointe South program riding a ton of confidence after playing in the Macomb Area Red division. They had wins over Chippewa Valley, Romeo, and Utica Eisenhower and have played Sterling Heights Stevenson and Macomb Dakota.
The Knights came off a 47-0 blowout loss to Clarkston and was riding no momentum heading into the postseason.
Nobody gave them a chance including myself and Ian Locke even though there were hints due to the Knights schedule that they could do this.
After that game against Grosse Pointe South, things changed and they became whole.
The Knights have been a very successful program under Coach Greg Carter. Carter came to Oak Park in 2011 and is also the Athletic Director as well. Even though they were 3-6 that season the foundation was set for the future. The Knights have made the playoffs the last eight years.
2019-lost 12-6 to Farmington in first round
2018-lost 35-7 to Warren DeLaSalle in district final
2017-lost 14-7 to Warren DeLaSalle in regional final
2016-lost 34-7 to Detroit Martin Luther King in district final
2015-lost 38-14 to Southfield in first round
2014-lost 14-13 to Southfield in district final
2013-lost 14-8 to Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit in district final
2012-lost 10-6 to Wyandotte in regional final
But in 2020 something was different outside of moving to the Red. They wanted to shock the State, going from worst to first. This team wearing the black helmet, white uniform with red elbows, and red pants.
They wanted to pull off the unthinkable.
They have been playing with nothing to lose and look where it has gotten them thus far.
They beat Grosse Pointe South 35-27 in the first round
They beat Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit 27-21 in the district semifinal
They beat Wyandotte 27-14 in the district final
Then came the regional final. A round that Oak Park hasn’t gotten past even with good teams they have had. Their season usually ends in this round.
All of that changed on Saturday afternoon
They got a huge pass play for a touchdown with 41 seconds left trailing 23-22 and the Knights players and fans went crazy. They got that defensive stand and got past Livonia Churchill 30-23 earning their first regional title in school history.
They will have a chance to make even more history and get to their first State Final. They will have to overcome a program that has given them two postseason losses when they play Warren DeLaSalle on Saturday afternoon in the Division Two State semifinals at Wayne State.
This postseason run has been nothing short of incredible when describing the Knights. They were left for dead heading into the postseason but with them being whole good things have been happening for Oak Park.
A lot of the credit has to go to lineman Rayshawn Benny. Benny has been battling an injury throughout the regular season and really got back when they played Clarkston. Ever since that game he has played like a man on a mission on both sides of the line. Benny being back has really helped guys like Bwana Miller and Davion Primm at running back make plays and create holes along with quarterback James Burnley whom looks like a completely different quarterback compared to the regular season. Amari Harris and KyShawn Jackson has saw their confidence rise with Benny’s return.
Also Carter and his staff deserves a ton of credit as well through out all of this.
Oak Park’s run in the postseason has opened up a debate. Should everyone make the playoffs??? If this were the current format or even the 2019 format they would have not made the postseason, this is something that Carter acknowledges.
The Knights are playing another week and another tough opponent. They are playing with nothing to lose.
Just how they like it.
by Becky Andrus | Jan 11, 2021 | Regional News
Goal is for all Michigan school districts to offer in-person learning option March 1 or sooner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 8, 2021
Contact: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112
LANSING, MICH. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced new guidance for schools today to keep students, staff and communities safe during the COVID-19 pandemic while providing the in-person instruction that is crucial to learning and development.
The state’s goal is to have all Michigan school districts offer an in-person learning option for students no later than March 1, and earlier if possible.
Guidance emphasizes use of scientifically proven methods of reducing the risk of COVID-19 spread, include wearing masks, ventilation improvements, frequent hand washing and social distancing.
Vaccination of teachers and other school staff will begin by Jan. 11 due to educators’ roles as essential frontline workers.
“MDHHS will continue to do what it takes to save lives and limit the spread of COVID-19,” said Director Robert Gordon. “At the same time, in-person instruction is critical for the current and the future well-being of children, especially young learners and students who are disadvantaged. We encourage schools to reopen as soon as they can do so with proven protections for staff and students.”
“The value of in-person learning for our kids is immeasurable, and we must do everything we can to help them get a great education safely,” said Gov. Whitmer. “Over the last 10 months, medical experts and epidemiologists have closely followed the data and have learned that schools can establish a low risk of transmission by ensuring that everyone wears a mask and adopting careful infection prevention protocols. I also announced this week that educators and support staff will be eligible for the next phase of COVID vaccinations beginning Jan. 11 to help protect them and their families as they return to work. I strongly encourage districts to provide as much face-to-face learning as possible, and my administration will work closely with them to get it done.”
Guidance is for grades pre-kindergarten through 12 and includes early childhood education, such as Head Start and Great Start Readiness Program.
Drawing on evidence from Michigan, the United States, and countries around the world, the guidance document outlines specific infection control measures that have worked in schools during the pandemic.
Wearing masks is especially important for controlling COVID-19 transmission and masks should be worn inside schools by all staff and students, except during meals and in other limited circumstances. Face masks may be made of cloth or may be disposable surgical-style masks.
Other infection control measures in the new MDHHS guidance include:
- When feasible, assigning children to cohort groups and limiting their interactions to their cohorts to reduce the number of contacts.
- Keeping children 6 feet apart from one another to the extent feasible, making creative use of school spaces to facilitate distancing.
- Providing adequate hand sanitizing supplies and reinforcing proper handwashing techniques.
- Improving air ventilation.
- Having staff and students conduct self-screenings for symptoms at home every day before going to school.
- Ensuring school plans are in place in coordination with their local health department if there are any positive COVID-19 tests.
- Having staff and students who either test positive or are close contacts of those who test positive follow the guidance issued by MDHHS as well as local health departments. Anyone who is considered a close contact of someone who tests positive but does not have symptoms should quarantine for 10 days under CDC guidance.
Additional recommendations can be found in the State of Michigan Guidelines for Operating Schools Safely on Michigan’s Schools COVID Testing website.
In November, MDHHS paused in-person learning in high schools as part of an order to limit indoor gatherings to address an alarming increase in COVID-19 cases and deaths and in hospital occupancy rates.
After case numbers decreased, high schools were permitted to resume in-person classes effective Dec. 21.
The guidance is subject to change. Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
by Becky Andrus | Jan 11, 2021 | Regional News
Coulter: Oakland County Needs More Vaccine To Meet Demand
Pontiac, Michigan – Oakland County Executive David Coulter issued the following statement on the availability of COVID-19 vaccine in Oakland County:
“Oakland County is in the early stages of administering the COVID-19 vaccine but supply is limited. Our Health Department is currently vaccinating priority 1A individuals including emergency medical personnel, healthcare workers, and residents of long-term care facilities. We look forward to expanding to the next phase which will include essential workers and residents 65 and older but ask for their patience because the number of appointments available is limited to the number of doses we have received from the state. We urge the State of Michigan to increase Oakland County’s vaccine allotment while expanding the number of providers administering the vaccine. Meanwhile, our Nurse on Call line is flooded with questions about appointment availability. Please visit our vaccine webpage for the latest on our vaccine supply and scheduling appointments.”
To go to Oakland County’s vaccine webpage, type OakGov.com/COVID and click on the “Vaccine” button.
For media inquiries only, please contact Bill Mullan, Oakland County media & communications officer, at 248-858-1048.
by Becky Andrus | Jan 11, 2021 | Recreation
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News Digest – Week of Jan. 11, 2021
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| Some of this week’s stories may reflect the impact of COVID-19 and how the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has adapted to meet customers’ needs and protect public health and safety. We will continue to share news and information about the best ways to enjoy our state’s natural and cultural resources.
Follow our COVID-19 response page for FAQs and updates on access to facilities and programs. For public health guidelines and news, visit Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
Here’s a look at some of this week’s stories from the DNR:
See other news releases, Showcasing the DNR stories, photos and other resources at Michigan.gov/DNRPressRoom.
PHOTO FOLDER: Larger, higher-res versions of the images used below are available in this folder.
 Want to see more gorgeous pictures like this (taken by Michigan state parks photo ambassador Erick Rooker)? Visit Instagram.com/MiStateParks to explore photos and learn more about the nearly two dozen photo ambassadors! For more on the program, call Stephanie Yancer at 989-274-6182.
 Each year, the DNR Parks and Recreation Division looks to hire roughly 1,200 seasonal park workers and more than 50 seasonal park rangers to help deliver memory-making outdoor experiences at state parks, state forest campgrounds, harbors and other DNR-managed recreation facilities throughout spring, summer and fall. The push for the 2021 season is on now!
Seasonal park workers are key employees who provide customer service and perform important park duties like answering visitor questions, registering campers, cleaning park buildings and mowing grass. Workers earn between $10 and $11.60 an hour and may qualify for academic/internship credit.
Seasonal park rangers (commissioned and noncommissioned) are frontline staff carrying out day-to-day operations and maintenance and other essential duties. They help train and direct seasonal staff and volunteers and maintain grounds, infrastructure and equipment. Park rangers receive state employment benefits and are paid between $17.75 and $24.95 an hour.
“If you love the outdoors, these positions could be your calling,” said Michael Desnoyer, PRD administrative services section chief. “Not only do you get to spend your workday alongside campers, hikers and boaters, but these jobs can lead to greater opportunity. Many DNR parks and recreation employees started out in seasonal roles and then transitioned to park supervisors, accountants, trail coordinators and many other positions.”
Learn more about these opportunities – and other openings throughout the department – at Michigan.gov/DNRJobs. Applicants are asked to select the work location(s) in which they are most interested.
Questions? Contact Michael Desnoyer at 517-242-2194. |
 Looking for an excuse to get out in the winter woods? Take advantage of small game hunting seasons – including cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, fox and gray squirrel – continuing through March 31.
“Small game opportunities throughout the state give hunters the chance to experience some of the best of what Michigan’s winter has to offer,” said Adam Bump, DNR small game specialist.
Bump also suggested that anyone looking for a new destination for small game hunting should check out Michigan GEMS – the 19 grouse enhanced management sites serving as premier hunting locations throughout the northern Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula. Explore these resources at Michigan.gov/GEMS.
To get started:
Questions? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453. |
 With an astounding 1.75 million available podcasts out there on just about every topic, how do you decide? Well, if you’re looking for a listen on all things habitat, feathers and fur, check out “Wildtalk” from the DNR Wildlife Division – a new episode comes out the first of each month!
“We’re really excited for this year’s lineup of interviews and topics,” said Rachel Leightner, one of the podcast’s hosts. “January’s episode features a conversation with Nick Buggia, chair of the Michigan Wildlife Council.”
The council is a governor-appointed, nine-member public body that works to promote the importance of wildlife conservation and its role in preserving Michigan’s great outdoor heritage for future generations.
This month, “Wildtalk” hosts also will talk about wildlife and habitat work happening around the state, shine a spotlight on the snowy owl and answer listener questions from the mailbag. As always, listeners will get the chance to win a signature camp mug.
“These mugs are very popular,” said host Hannah Schauer. “The only way you can get one is to listen to the podcast each month.”
Catch the program on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or on your computer at Michigan.gov/DNRWildtalk. Past episodes, show notes and transcripts are available there, too.
Curious to learn more about how the podcast is made? Take a look at the Showcasing the DNR story “Behind the scenes of the ‘Wildtalk’ podcast.”
Questions? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453. |
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Go birding. Watch a vintage base ball game. Clean up a stream. We’ve thought up 100 ways to celebrate the DNR’s centennial anniversary this year!
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| DNR COVID-19 RESPONSE: For details on affected DNR facilities and services, visit this webpage. Follow state actions and guidelines at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus. |
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