Written Sunday September 29th at 11:10 AM
Here are the soccer districts.
This article will be updated to include History Now’s Anthony Taormina with his thoughts on the district matchups.
District 6 at Davison
CLARKSTON vs. Lapeer
CLARKSTON/Lapeer vs OXFORD
LAKE ORION vs. Davison
Grand Blanc vs. Flushing
DISTRICT THOUGHTS: This should be a really interesting district in Genesee County. Oxford is the top seed and has wins over Lapeer and Clarkston in the regular season. It will be very interesting to see who gets to play the Wildcats again in the district semifinals. Lake Orion is the two seed after winning the White crown. They will play the host Davison in the first round. Grand Blanc and Flushing could be a really interesting first round matchup as well. If all things set up we could be seeing a Dragons/Bobcats district semifinal which could be really interesting. Oxford looks to be the favorite but Lake Orion and Grand Blanc could have strong says but the Wildcats have to be careful of that district semifinal matchup especially if it’s Clarkston.
ANT THOUGHTS: This district has a chance to be one of the better districts in the state. Would have made an interesting league with the three OAA schools and the three Saginaw Valley schools. Oxford has been one of the top teams in the state of Michigan and is in contention for the OAA Red championship. Oxford has scored quality non league wins over Marquette and Flint Powers along with league wins over Clarkston and Rochester but three ties with Adams, Berkley, and Seaholm. Oxford will finish the regular season with both Troy and Troy Athens along with rival Lake Orion. Grand Blanc always plays a tough schedule and has a strong wins over state ranked Troy, Flint Powers, and Clarkston while there only loss is to state ranked Adams. Lake Orion won the OAA White taking down Royal Oak, Groves, and West Bloomfield and has matched up fairly well against members of the OAA Red, scoring wins over Clarkston and Rochester while playing state ranked Oxford and Adams later in the week. Clarkston looks to play spoiler especially after beating OAA Red power Troy Athens earlier in the season. The Wolves have also have wins over Saline and Goodrich and a tie with state ranked Rockford. Lapeer has really improved, finishing second in the Saginaw Valley behind Grand Blanc, beat Imlay City earlier in the season, and has been competitive in their losses. Flushing is a very strong Flint Metro League power and owns a win over Lapeer earlier in the season. Davison despite their record is the host of the league. This has the chance to be one of the best districts in the state and is a very underrated district. It has the potential to be anyone’s district. Grand Blanc is playing really well. Lake Orion has been consistent all season long and their future is very bright. Clarkston has the chance to play spoiler and would love to get back at Oxford for their game earlier in the season. Lapeer and Flushing could make it interesting but Oxford has to be the favorite. They haven’t lost a game all season long also playing in the tough OAA Red has helped. Next season however, could be very challenging for the Wildcats.
District 7 at Waterford Mott
BLOOMFIELD HILLS vs. Walled Lake Northern
BLOOMFIELD HILLS/Walled Lake Northern vs WEST BLOOMFIELD
Walled Lake Central vs. Waterford Mott
NORTH FARMINGTON vs. Lakeland
DISTRICT THOUGHTS: This is shaping up to be a very interesting district. West Bloomfield has the top seed in the district and one of the most dynamic scorers in the OAA. Walled Lake Central could pose a challenge to the Lakers. The Vikings are more than capable. Bloomfield Hills is a sneaky team, they have games where they are good while others not so much. Overall this should be a Lakers/Vikings district final but keep a close eye on the Blackhawks.
ANT THOUGHTS: West Bloomfield has had a great bounce back season really benefiting from their senior experience. Also recently beating OAA Red power Berkley helps the Lakers big time along with playing against a very competitive OAA White and adding a few OAA Red schools as well. Bloomfield Hills is always a very scary team to play against. They are very young this year but always well coached. They have also have a win over OAA White power Royal Oak. The Raiders despite being in the OAA Blue has played a very tough non league schedule playing Detroit Catholic Central, Detroit Country Day, and Lake Orion. The Raiders finish out their OAA Blue schedule which looks to be that they will finish close to the top of the league. The lack of familiarity between the OAA and the Lakes Valley will be interesting as more than half of the Lakes Valley is in this district but there is some parity. Walled Lake Central is the second seed in the district but they recently lost to Walled Lake Northern in the Lakes Valley Tournament. The Vikings however, have ten wins this season, mostly playing against Lakes Valley competition. The Knights played OAA White power Groves tough earlier this year but like the Vikings played Lakes Valley competition. Lakeland and Mott have both struggled this season. The Lakers look to be the favorites in the district but never count out the Blackhawks and they would love to get back at WB for what happened earlier in the season. The Raiders have a chance to play spoiler on the other side of the bracket. The Vikings look to be the favorite in the Lakes Valley side of the bracket.
District 8 at Northville
South Lyon vs. South Lyon East
South Lyon/South Lyon East vs Northville
Novi Detroit Catholic Central vs. FARMINGTON
Livonia Stevenson vs. Novi
DISTRICT THOUGHTS: This is a really interesting district. Northville is the favorite and has the top seed along with home grass. The Mustangs have not lost this season but there are some challengers who could give them problems. Livonia Stevenson is a very interesting team despite Northville winning 4-2 over the Spartans but they got to play Novi who has been up and down this season. Novi Detroit Catholic Central could be the Mustangs biggest threat. The Shamrocks tied Northville 4-4 in the regular season and are more than capable of beating the Mustangs. Northville is the favorites but there are some challengers in this district that are more than capable of beating them.
ANT THOUGHTS: This is a tough spot for the Falcons. The OAA Blue Champs got the short end of the draw playing against very strong powers in Northville, Detroit Catholic Central, and Livonia Stevenson. The South Lyons and Novi are also strong challengers as well. Catholic Central and Northville stand out over everyone else. Both of them having been state powers throughout the year and will most likely battle it over who goes to Regionals.
District 14 at Royal Oak
TROY vs. SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH
SEAHOLM vs. ROYAL OAK
TROY ATHENS vs. FERNDALE
BERKLEY vs. GROVES
DISTRICT THOUGHTS: This could be the toughest district in the State. There are five to six teams that can win this district. Troy is the top seed in the district and seem to have the much favorable path. Seaholm and Royal Oak will be a really interesting game and a possible clash between Troy Athens and Berkley pending if the Bears can get by Groves who is more than capable. This should be a fun district to watch in the Ravens Nest. Whoever wins this district has a great chance to get to the Division One State Finals.
ANT THOUGHTS: No doubt the toughest district in the state. Whoever wins this district has a great chance to possibly make it to the state final, even win the state championship. That is how tough and challenging this district has always been. You have four OAA Red powers, two OAA White powers, and two OAA Blue powers in one district. Troy has been one of the best teams in the state throughout the year and is in contention to again win a OAA Red crown with two more Red games coming up (Oxford and Clarkston). Troy has had wins over it’s archrival Athens, Birmingham Brother Rice, Seaholm, and Royal Oak. Three of those teams, they could potentially see again in the district and they still have to play Notre Dame Prep who is one of the best teams in the state. Troy Athens, the defending state champs and another state power continues to be in the conversation and will try to repeat last year’s performance this season. Athens holds quality wins over state ranked Adams, Lake Orion, and Grosse Isle and has upcoming matchups with Detroit Catholic Central and Oxford on the horizon. Seaholm has been really competitive in the OAA Red, holding ties with Oxford and Troy Athens while taking care of their non league competition including getting big wins over Detroit Country Day, Detroit Catholic Central, and Ann Arbor Pioneer. All of whom are state powers. Berkley despite being the smallest school in the OAA Red continues to impress. Having that hot start early in the season and their biggest win came against Clarkston while tying Oxford, both of whom in league play. Royal Oak and Groves, both OAA White powers will be tough outs. Having a young team this year, Groves remained one of the best teams in the OAA White with their biggest win coming against rival West Bloomfield. The Falcons will be playing Troy Athens later in the week and could be a spoiler. Their only game against the OAA Red was a loss to Seaholm earlier in the season. The Ravens, winning the OAA White last year have scored several quality wins this season both in league and non league beating Groves, Grosse Pointe South, Romeo, and taking down state ranked Dearborn Edsel Ford. The Ravens are also very young and have a great chance to play spoiler in the district and is also the host which will help with this being the toughest district in the state. Ferndale and Southfield A&T are both Blue powers. Ferndale has been competitive all season especially in league play. Same with Southfield but sadly neither team are on the level that the Red and White offer. This district is hard to pick. The Colts will barely be the favorite. The Red Hawks is a very close second. The Maples/Ravens winner will no doubt play spoiler while the Bears and Falcons may also play spoiler on the other side of the bracket.
District 15 at Rochester
STONEY CREEK vs. Sterling Heights Stevenson
STONEY CREEK/Sterling Heights Stevenson vs ADAMS
Utica Eisenhower vs. Utica Ford II
ROCHESTER vs. Utica
DISTRICT THOUGHTS: This is by far one of the toughest districts in the State. Whoever comes out has a great shot at getting to the Division One State title game. This looks like it could be a Adams/Utica Eisenhower district final with the way everyone has played this season. The Highlanders are loaded as is Utica Eisenhower. This should be a great district but two teams really stand out when looking at them.
ANT THOUGHTS: This will also be one of the tougher districts in the state but it feels like two teams stand out in state ranked Rochester Adams and Utica Eisenhower. Adams and Ike played each other earlier in the season which resulted in a scoreless tie. Adams has played a very tough schedule and is in contention to win the OAA Red. Despite their only loss to Troy Athens. Adams has either scored wins or ties against some of the best the state has to offer. Clarkston, Grand Blanc, Romeo, Ike, Troy, Oxford, Seaholm, their Rochester rivals (Rochester and Stoney Creek) and more tests to come with Berkley, Lake Orion, and Ann Arbor Huron before districts begin. Ike only has one loss which was to archrival Romeo (whom they will play again later this week) and has once again become the standard bearer in the Macomb Area Conference. Rochester has struggled in OAA Red play while being very successful in non league (Though the strength of schedule has not been strong) with their biggest win over archrival Stoney Creek. Stoney Creek has also struggled in OAA White play but has had good wins over Lapeer, Birmingham Brother Rice, and Sterling Heights Stevenson. Utica and Utica Ford have both struggled this year but both are always tough teams. The Chieftains biggest wins were against Romeo and Macomb Dakota while the Falcons was also Dakota and Sterling Heights Stevenson. This district looks like it is going to be a two team district with the Highlanders and the Eagles battling it out. The standard bearer of the OAA and the standard bearer of the MAC battling it out to see who goes to Regionals. Whoever wins this district has a great chance to possibly get to the state championship and perhaps win the state championship. Going with Adams on this one. Adams has played a tougher schedule but wouldn’t be surprised if Ike wins it either. Rochester does have home field but it looks like it will be a two team district here.
District 28 at Avondale
Holly vs. Orchard Lake St. Marys
Holly/Orchard Lake St. Marys vs Waterford Kettering
Birmingham Brother Rice vs. PONTIAC
Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood vs. AVONDALE
DISTRICT THOUGHTS: This is shaping to be a really interesting district. Waterford Kettering has been red hot coming into the season but has lost three of four in league play. They could see Holly or Orchard Lake St. Marys in the district semifinals. The Captains hope playing the likes of Lakeland, Walled Lake Central, and Milford will get them ready for this district. Birmingham Brother Rice is the two seed. They have a tricky first round game with Pontiac while Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood is the three seed but they have a tricky matchup with Avondale. The OAA schools have a chance in this district. Overall it’s anyone’s district to take at the moment.
ANT THOUGHTS: This unique blend of public schools and private schools makes this district quite interesting. The Yellow Jackets played in the tough OAA White and have played some tough OAA Red foes as well. At one point the Yellow Jackets were state ranked in division two but playing the stronger opponents in the White and Red have caused them to fall off a little bit. Avondale did play Kettering earlier in the season and took them to a shootout in their own invite so there is some familiarity for the Yellow Jackets. The Phoenix are a little bit in the same boat. Pontiac’s biggest win has been against Hamtramck. Both Avondale and Pontiac have tough district matchups. Cranbrook played Seaholm very tough and the Cranes have two wins over Orchard Lake St. Mary’s. Brother Rice has been one of the best in the Catholic League and has a 8-0 victory over Pontiac a few weeks ago. Holly and Kettering have both strongly improved. The Captains went on a ten game winning streak, primarily over Lakes Valley competition while the Broncos have been competitive in the Flint Metro League and have played teams like state ranked Notre Dame Prep. This district, have to go with the Warriors of Brother Rice. They play in the tough Catholic League Central and pretty much stand out over everyone else.
District 30 at Melvindale
Detroit Caesar Chavez Academy vs. OAK PARK
Hamtramck vs Southgate Anderson
Melvindale vs. River Rouge
Riverview vs. Dearborn Heights Annapolis
DISTRICT THOUGHTS: This is a really interesting district to watch. Detroit Caesar Chavez Academy has won ten straight since their opening night loss to Allen Park Inner City Baptist. Riverview has been a proven soccer power house while the host Melvindale has the two seed. This could be a really interesting district between these three teams. Detroit Caesar Chavez Academy had the best path to the district finals but Melvindale has home field despite possibly having to deal with Riverview in the district semifinals. This should be a fun district.
ANT THOUGHTS: This is a tough district for the Knights. The Knights fielding a team throughout the season, being competitive in the OAA Blue. A lot to be proud of for Oak Park. The next challenge for the Knights is are they ready to take the next season. Going against Detroit Caesar Chavez Academy will be a challenge but won’t count the Knights who have played a tough league schedule.
The fall fishing season for splake is coming soon! Splake fishing in the fall on Lake Superior is an experience unmatched anywhere else in the state. As temperatures drop and leaves begin to change, the splake bite picks up as the fish move nearshore.
Because they’re genetically tied to both lake trout and brook trout, splake look like either of the parent species, making them difficult to distinguish. Fisheries managers have also learned that identifying the correct fin clip on splake can be difficult to do while fishing, which poses a challenge for collecting data for the evaluation study.
