Around the OAA.
This is a blog that is devoted to the OAA. We cover 23 schools from Oakland County to Wayne County. From Oxford to Harper Woods. This blog will give insight and projections around the OAA.
Friday, November 12, 2021
There is Something Special Brewing at Adams.
By Sammy Taormina
Written Friday November 12th at 11:35 PM
2003 was the year that the Highlanders won the Division Two State Championship at the Pontiac Silverdome.
The roster was bigger, they played in the OAA Division One but because of their enrollment they played in the Division Two State Championship.
2003 was the first year that Tony Patritto came to Adams and changed everything.
Patritto introduced the veer offense not just to the OAA but to the entire state as well. Teams have had very rough times defending this offense.
The veer is an illusion offense whether you’re running the full veer, the dive option, midline, or outside veer.
It’s very hard to stop.
The veer counters so many disadvantages including those who are deeper and more talented.
Every team the Highlanders have played past and present have learned this the hard way.
While there are differences, there are similarities to 2003.
Adams had a very strong defense in 2003. They have a strong defense this year.
They had a very good quarterback in 2003. They have one in Parker Picot.
Back in 2003 they also had a very good line on both sides of the football. They have that again this year.
The Highlanders have always played with heart whether it was good years or bad years. They have not changed who they are.
The competition has changed that’s the big difference. Adams in 2003 played the likes of Lake Orion, Clarkston, Farmington Hills Harrison, and Birmingham Brother Rice and was very successful against these powerhouse programs mostly using the veer offense.
This year their competition has dropped a little bit. Adams was in the White which could be seen as Division Two but they have wins against several Red teams including beating Oxford and West Bloomfield twice.
The Highlanders have also have had success against their two city rivals in Rochester and Stoney Creek. Adams has beaten Rochester 27 straight times since 1996. They also avenged last year’s loss to Stoney Creek earlier in the season.
Adams is back in the State Semifinals for the first time since 2007. They were in Division Two at that time. This will be the first time that they will be in the Division One State Semifinal. Patritto has never taken this program to Ford Field. He has a chance to do that if they win this game.
Their opponent Grand Blanc will be far deeper than them.
However the veer as mentioned counteracts a lot of things.
There are a lot of similarities to 2003 as mentioned. They are continuing that tradition.