Week One Picks

by | Aug 27, 2024 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Week One Picks

Written Tuesday August 27th at 11:00 AM

Hello and welcome to the 2024 season. Here are our pickers for the season.

SANDY DUNES: Sammy Taormina, host of OAA Now, blogger and host of Between Taorminas, and Last Three Brain Cells on Orion Neighborhood Television.

TIM: Tim English, writer, and blogger-Lake Orion 1996 Alumni.

COTTER: Sean Cotter, Walled Lake Western video coordinator, and North Farmington boys basketball scouter.

KEITH: Keith Dunlap, writer works as a free lance writer for the MHSAA.

SCOTT: Scott Burnstein, writer for MIPrepZone and State Champs.

STICK: Dan Stickradt, writer for North Oakland Sports, and also top soccer guys in the State.

Here are the Games.

PROJECTED WEATHER FORECASTS:

Thursday: Cloudy, chance of storms after midnight, lows 63-66 degrees.

Friday: Chance of showers and storms, lows 58-61 degrees.

We’ll update TIM and STICK’s projections when need be.

 

Redford Union at 1. Harper Woods: This is shaping up to be a battle of two Wayne County powers. The Pioneers are coming up their first State crown in school history winning the Division Four crown last season. Harper Woods might be better than they were last season which is a scary omen. Redford Union is 37-12 since 2019 and is well coached. This should be a really interesting matchup on Beaconsfield Street.

 

SANDY DUNES: HARPER WOODS 56, REDFORD UNION 21.

TIM:

COTTER: HARPER WOODS 42, REDFORD UNION 6.

KEITH: HARPER WOODS 32, REDFORD UNION 17.

SCOTT: HARPER WOODS 35, REDFORD UNION 13.

STICK:

 

 

Chippewa Valley at 2. West Bloomfield: This is a rematch of a classic 22-21 Lakers win over the Big Reds at Wayne State last season. Chippewa Valley has a new quarterback and a new coach taking over their program. West Bloomfield is loaded up front and features a quarterback in Beau Jackson although Jamal Shakesphere could see some reps. The Lakers secondary should be tested in this matchup in the Swamp.

 

SANDY DUNES: WEST BLOOMFIELD 49, CHIPPEWA VALLEY 21.

TIM:

COTTER: WEST BLOOMFIELD 35, CHIPPEWA VALLEY 21.

KEITH: WEST BLOOMFIELD 28, CHIPPEWA VALLEY 17.

SCOTT: WEST BLOOMFIELD 27, CHIPPEWA VALLEY 26.

STICK:

 

 

  1. Adams at Romeo: The Highlanders and the Bulldogs are no strangers to one another. They are 4-4 in their history against each other and are very similar in school size. Adams brings the veer offense to Dan Barnabo field while Romeo is a hard and physical nosed football team. This should be a fun matchup in Macomb County between two teams that know each other quite well.

 

SANDY DUNES: ADAMS 28, ROMEO 14.

TIM:

COTTER: ADAMS 17, ROMEO 14.

KEITH: ROMEO 21, ADAMS 17.

SCOTT: ADAMS 32, ROMEO 24.

STICK:

 

 

  1. Lake Orion at Northville: This is the first ever meeting between the Dragons and the Mustangs. Both teams won double digit games but had rough postseason ousters to bitter rivals. Northville lost twice to Belleville which included a regional final loss while Lake Orion fell 38-37 to Clarkston in the district finals last season. The Mustangs have a lot of inexperience but they are well coached under second year coach Brent Luplow. The Dragons have the majority of their team back for Coach Chris Bell. It should be a really interesting matchup between two teams that are ranked really high in their respective conferences.

 

SANDY DUNES: LAKE ORION 38, NORTHVILLE 31.

TIM:

COTTER: LAKE ORION 38, NORTHVILLE 35.

KEITH: LAKE ORION 31, NORTHVILLE 28.

SCOTT: LAKE ORION 35, NORTHVILLE 30.

STICK:

 

 

  1. Clarkston vs Belleville at Wayne State: This is shaping up to be a really interesting matchup at Wayne State. The Wolves had an up and down year last season. Clarkston’s defense had things very rough will be challenged with a proven Tigers squad that features quarterback Bryce Underwood and his high octane Belleville offense who is coming off a 36-32 loss to Southfield Arts and Tech in the Division One State title game last season. The Wolves will need to ride the Bowman twins and which quarterback needs to control the football for Clarkston to have a chance.

 

SANDY DUNES: BELLEVILLE 56, CLARKSTON 42.

TIM:

COTTER: BELLEVILLE 56, CLARKSTON 21.

KEITH: BELLEVILLE 35, CLARKSTON 21.

SCOTT: BELLEVILLE 36, CLARKSTON 23.

STICK:

 

 

  1. Oxford at Utica Eisenhower: This is a rematch of a 20-6 Eagles win at Wildcat Stadium last season. Oxford has a proven experienced team led by Jack Hendrix and Luke Johnson. They are also well coached under Coach Zach Line. The Eagles lost a ton of talent from last season but they are well coached under Coach Chris Smith. This should be a really interesting matchup at Swienhart Field between two teams that know each other quite well.

 

SANDY DUNES: OXFORD 27, UTICA EISENHOWER 6.

TIM:

COTTER: UTICA EISENHOWER 21, OXFORD 14.

KEITH: UTICA EISENHOWER 24, OXFORD 17.

SCOTT: OXFORD 28, UTICA EISENHOWER 27.

STICK:

 

 

  1. Groves at Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit: The Falcons have been a model of consistency making the postseason 10 of the last 11 years. Groves has a ton of proven experience and that could be a huge thing in their first meeting with the Cubs. Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit won seven games last season but they have a new coach in Kevin Glenn who spent 18 years in the Canadian Football League as a quarterback. They also added Clarkston transfer Brady Collins this offseason. This should be a really interesting matchup to say the least.

 

SANDY DUNES: DETROIT UNIVERSITY-DETROIT JESUIT 35, GROVES 14.

TIM:

COTTER: DETROIT UNIVERSITY-DETROIT JESUIT 31, GROVES 21.

KEITH: GROVES 28, DETROIT UNIVERSITY-DETROIT JESUIT 20.

SCOTT: GROVES 26, DETROIT UNIVERSITY-DETROIT JESUIT 23.

STICK:

 

 

Cedar Springs at 8. Avondale: This is the first meeting between the Yellow Jackets and the Red Hawks. Both teams are very similar running the Wing T offense. Cedar Springs runs the Power T offense which has three backs and everyone lined up in the Wing T formation. The Red Hawks have a ton of proven players that can run the football. They also return 14 starters from last season’s 4-5 season and have a legendary coach in Gus Kapolka who is 72-29 in his 11 years at the school. Avondale has a ton of proven athletes and are well coached under Coach Bob Meyer. Whoever controls the football the longest will win this game.

 

SANDY DUNES: AVONDALE 21, CEDAR SPRINGS 17.

TIM:

COTTER: AVONDALE 21, CEDAR SPRINGS 14.

KEITH: AVONDALE 27, CEDAR SPRINGS 20.

SCOTT: AVONDALE 31, CEDAR SPRINGS 26.

STICK:

 

 

  1. Stoney Creek at Warren Cousino: This is considered the first of the Rick Powell flashback tour. Powell went to school at Warren Cousino and is a Patriot. He takes his new program to his Alma Manner. The Patriots have made the postseason three of the last four years and 10-8 in the last two years. This should be a really interesting game in Warren.

 

SANDY DUNES: STONEY CREEK 35, WARREN COUSINO 7.

TIM:

COTTER: STONEY CREEK 21, WARREN COUSINO 7.

KEITH: WARREN COUSINO 20, STONEY CREEK 17.

SCOTT: STONEY CREEK 28, WARREN COUSINO 23.

STICK:

 

 

Oak Park at 10. Farmington: This is the first meeting since the 2019 first round of the postseason when the Falcons shocked the Knights 12-6 but these teams are in different places since that game in Knight Valley. Farmington struggled last season in the White going 2-7. Oak Park was in a much worse place going 6-21 since 2021. This should be a really interesting matchup of two teams that are projected to be top teams in the Blue and winning this game could go a long way for both of these teams.

 

SANDY DUNES: FARMINGTON 31, OAK PARK 24.

TIM:

COTTER: FARMINGTON 21, OAK PARK 20.

KEITH: OAK PARK 18, FARMINGTON 15.

SCOTT: OAK PARK 28, FARMINGTON 20.

STICK:

 

 

Fraser at Rochester: This is a huge game for both teams trying to get off to a strong start. The Falcons are loaded with senior experience but they have questions particularly at quarterback. The Ramblers made a ton of noise last season knocking off Troy Athens 14-6 and upsetting Troy 20-19 keeping the Colts out of the postseason. This should be a really interesting matchup on Hall of Fame night in Rochester.

 

SANDY DUNES: ROCHESTER 42, FRASER 14.

TIM:

COTTER: ROCHESTER 28, FRASER 14.

KEITH: FRASER 17, ROCHESTER 14.

SCOTT: ROCHESTER 29, FRASER 22.

STICK:

 

 

Flint Beecher at Southfield Arts and Tech: This is the first meeting between the schools and both teams were looking for a week one. The Warriors are coming off their first State crown in school history but they have had a ton of departures this offseason. Southfield Arts and Tech named Keith McKenzie as their new head coach in April. Flint Beecher is 11-16 since 2021 but they have made the postseason five of the last six years. This should be very interesting.

 

SANDY DUNES: FLINT BEECHER 18, SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 12.

TIM:

COTTER: SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 30, FLINT BEECHER 12.

KEITH: SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 31, FLINT BEECHER 14.

SCOTT: SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 28, FLINT BEECHER 24.

STICK:

 

 

Bloomfield Hills at Troy: This is the first meeting since the Blackhawks beat the Colts 21-10 in the 2021 season giving them the Blue crown but things have changed since that game. Bloomfield Hills is 4-15 since that game. Troy has had better success with a 12-8 record since that game but the Colts missed the postseason for the first time in four years after allowing the winning touchdown to Fraser in a 20-19 stunner. This looks like a complete mismatch on paper.

 

SANDY DUNES: TROY 42, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 0.

TIM:

COTTER: TROY 24, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 7.

KEITH: TROY 24, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 23.

SCOTT: TROY 38, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 26.

STICK:

 

 

Seaholm at Troy Athens: This is a rematch of a 49-14 Maples blowout at the Maple Forest last season. Both teams love to run the football, Seaholm is a veer team while Troy Athens is a misdirection team. Both teams are also very young. Time possession is key in this game and whoever wins should start their season off on the right track. This should be a fun game on John R Road.

 

SANDY DUNES: TROY ATHENS 21, SEAHOLM 14.

TIM:

COTTER: SEAHOLM 35, TROY ATHENS 6.

KEITH: SEAHOLM 14, TROY ATHENS 10.

SCOTT: SEAHOLM 27, TROY ATHENS 26.

STICK:

 

 

North Farmington at Livonia Stevenson: This is the 22 meeting between these two former Kensington Valley Conference rivals where the Raiders hold a 12-9 series advantage over the Spartans. Both of these teams have had postseason droughts. North Farmington is 9-18 since 2021 while Livonia Stevenson is 16-29 since 2018 and haven’t made the postseason since 2017. This should be a really interesting matchup of two teams looking for positive momentum heading into the season.

 

SANDY DUNES: NORTH FARMINGTON 35, LIVONIA STEVENSON 21.

TIM:

COTTER: NORTH FARMINGTON 26, LIVONIA STEVENSON 7.

KEITH: LIVONIA STEVENSON 28, NORTH FARMINGTON 20.

SCOTT: NORTH FARMINGTON 38, LIVONIA STEVENSON 24.

STICK:

 

 

Berkley at Walled Lake Central: This is a rematch of a 42-0 stunning blowout at Hurley Field last season. The Vikings are 6-12 in the last two years and haven’t made the postseason since 2017. Berkley was historically bad last season on both sides of the football. They have a new coach in Casey Humes taking over the program. If the Bears want to start the “Revenge Tour” on the right note, they need to go into Walled Lake and win this game.

 

SANDY DUNES: BERKLEY 27, WALLED LAKE CENTRAL 20.

TIM:

COTTER: BERKLEY 28, WALLED LAKE CENTRAL 14.

KEITH: WALLED LAKE CENTRAL 24, BERKLEY 20.

SCOTT: BERKLEY 24, WALLED LAKE CENTRAL 23.

STICK:

 

 

Detroit Fredrick Douglass at Pontiac: This is the first meeting of two teams that are trying to get back on track. The Hurricanes have really struggled as a program going 13-79 since 2013. The Phoenix have really struggled as well but got three wins under Coach Wendell Jefferson last season. Whoever wins this game should develop some confidence as the season moves on.

 

SANDY DUNES: PONTIAC 36, DETROIT FREDRICK DOUGLASS 12.

TIM:

COTTER: PONTIAC 24, DETROIT FREDRICK DOUGLASS 12.

KEITH: PONTIAC 26, DETROIT FREDRICK DOUGLASS 23.

SCOTT: PONTIAC 25, DETROIT FREDRICK DOUGLASS 23.

STICK:

 

 

Madison Heights Lamphere at Ferndale: This is a very interesting matchup of two teams that have a ton of experience and are well coached. The Eagles have a ton of proven experience but no postseason experience. The Rams are 30-10 since 2020. Ferndale has won all seven meetings against Madison Heights Lamphere but that was before Coach Roy Ostrowski got to Madison Heights. Coach Eric Royal will have his hands full in this matchup.

 

SANDY DUNES: FERNDALE 24, MADISON HEIGHTS LAMPHERE 21.

TIM:

COTTER: FERNDALE 26, MADISON HEIGHTS LAMPHERE 21.

KEITH: FERNDALE 28, MADISON HEIGHTS LAMPHERE 21.

SCOTT: FERNDALE 34, MADISON HEIGHTS LAMPHERE 22.

STICK:

 

 

Detroit Lincoln King Academy at Royal Oak: The Ravens are a mystery team heading into the season. They are a ton of questions with Royal Oak. The Ravens should be tested by a very dangerous Wolves squad that won their last two games by a combined 80-13 over Memphis and Hamtramck. This is the same program that took Pontiac to overtime last season as well. Detroit Lincoln King Academy is no push over. If there is a team that needs to be on upset alert it’s the Ravens.

 

SANDY DUNES: DETROIT LINCOLN KING ACADEMY 48, ROYAL OAK 21.

TIM:

COTTER: ROYAL OAK 35, DETROIT LINCOLN KING ACADEMY 6.

KEITH: ROYAL OAK 17, DETROIT LINCOLN KING ACADEMY 10.

SCOTT: ROYAL OAK 22, DETROIT LINCOLN KING ACADEMY 19.

STICK: