Around the OAA: Picks Week One

by | Aug 24, 2022 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

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.

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

Written by Sammy Taormina

Picks Week One.

Written Tuesday August 23rd at 10:10 AM

Hello to everyone and welcome to the 2022 football season. We will be doing our weekly picks this season so here are the people to get to know.

Sammy Taormina-Host OAA Now, Last Three Brain Cells Podcast, known as SANDY DUNES

Scott Burnstein-State Champs host and MIPrepZone writer, known as BURNEY

Keith Dunlap-Special writer at WDIV, known as DUNLAP

Tim English-Blogger, historian, known as TIM

Dan Stickradt-Writer for North Oakland Sports, known as STICK

Sean Cotter-North Farmington Boys Basketball and Walled Lake Western film guy, known as COTTER

 

We’ll get TIM’s picks when we get them

 

SANDY DUNES 0-0

BURNEY 0-0

DUNLAP 0-0

TIM 0-0

STICK 0-0

COTTER 0-0

 

  1. West Bloomfield vs Sterling Heights Stevenson at Wayne State: The Lakers should be no strangers to the spotlight. They are on Bally Sports Detroit for the fifth time in the last two years. West Bloomfield has made the postseason eight straight years. They should be no strangers to playing against the Macomb Area Red. Donovan Edwards who is now at Michigan had the game of his life at Runkel Field in a stunning 63-6 blowout of the Titans in the 2020 postseason. It’s the second meeting between the two schools. Sterling Heights Stevenson made the postseason three straight years but fell to Belleville in the Division One State Semifinals last season. This should be a really interesting matchup at Wayne State but West Bloomfield better be careful.

 

SANDY DUNES: WEST BLOOMFIELD 31, STERLING HEIGHTS STEVENSON 7.

BURNEY: WEST BLOOMFIELD 34, STERLING HEIGHTS STEVENSON 14.

DUNLAP: WEST BLOOMFIELD 27, STERLING HEIGHTS STEVENSON 17.

TIM:

STICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD over STERLING HEIGHTS STEVENSON.

COTTER: WEST BLOOMFIELD 38, STERLING HEIGHTS STEVENSON 14.

 

Orchard Lake St. Marys at 2. Adams: The Highlanders should be hungry for more success after making the Division One State Finals last season. They have the majority of their team coming back despite losing some key players to graduation. Adams coach Tony Patritto should be no stranger to playing against George Poritt led Orchard Lake St. Marys programs or the Catholic League itself. The Eaglets have a new coach in former Michigan standout Jermaine Gonzales. It’s the first meeting between these two schools Patritto should know them quite well prior to coming to Adams.

 

SANDY DUNES: ADAMS 27, ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARYS 20.

BURNEY: ADAMS 32, ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARYS 29.

DUNLAP: ADAMS 31, ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARYS 20.

TIM:

STICK: ADAMS over ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARYS.

COTTER: ADAMS 24, ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARYS 7.

 

  1. Clarkston vs Davison at Michigan: This is a rematch of a hard fought 29-26 Wolves victory over the Cardinals last season in Ann Arbor. Clarkston has won all five meetings against Davison whether it was in the regular season or in the postseason. The Cardinals will have to deal with Ethan Clark. Clark had a monster game against them last season. Davison has not fared well against the OAA. They are 0-7 against the league since 2010 (Adams doesn’t count because they had to forfeit because of COVID protocol.) Clarkston needs to be careful despite having Michigan experience. The Cardinals have a tough schedule and getting a win like this would make their season.

 

SANDY DUNES: CLARKSTON 27, DAVISON 24.

BURNEY: CLARKSTON 28, DAVISON 23.

DUNLAP: DAVISON 35, CLARKSTON 31.

TIM:

STICK: CLARKSTON over DAVISON.

COTTER: DAVISON 31, CLARKSTON 28.

 

  1. Southfield Arts and Tech vs Detroit Cass Tech at Lawrence Tech: This is a rematch of two programs that know each other very well. The Technicians won 49-22 over the Warriors at Wayne State. The game was moved to Lawrence Tech which is in Southfield this season. The Warriors defense was a complete disaster allowing 346 points which was the most in school history last season. Southfield Arts and Tech has a high octane offense led by quarterback Isiah Marshall. Detroit Cass Tech has athletes too and they are stout as well. They have made the postseason 15 of the last 16 years. This should be a shootout but whoever’s defense shows up should win this game.

 

SANDY DUNES: DETROIT CASS TECH 70, SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 56.

BURNEY: SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 30, DETROIT CASS TECH 15.

DUNLAP: DETROIT CASS TECH 31, SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 21.

TIM:

STICK: DETROIT CASS TECH over SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH.

COTTER: DETROIT CASS TECH 42, SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 28.

 

  1. Lake Orion at Utica Eisenhower: This is the 11thmeeting between the two schools. The Dragons and Eagles are no strangers to each other whether it is in the regular season or especially in the postseason. Utica Eisenhower beat Lake Orion 27-20 in the 2019 postseason but the Dragons have gotten the best of the Eagles in 2008, 2010, 2012 in the postseason and last season’s 33-7 blowout. Utica Eisenhower has Preston Crumm back at quarterback while Lake Orion should be much improved defensively. This could be a low scoring game with both teams usually have stout defenses. It should be very interesting at Sweinhart Field.

 

SANDY DUNES: LAKE ORION 24, UTICA EISENHOWER 20.

BURNEY: LAKE ORION 27, UTICA EISENHOWER 26.

DUNLAP: LAKE ORION 28, UTICA EISENHOWER 24.

TIM:

STICK: LAKE ORION over UTICA EISENHOWER.

COTTER: LAKE ORION 28, UTICA EISENHOWER 21.

 

  1. Harper Woods at Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy: This is the second meeting between these two city rivals in what is dubbed “The Backyard Brawl.” The Pioneers won 15-12 over the Eagles in 2009. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy forfeited their year last season but they were 6-2 technically. Harper Woods has a ton of proven players coming back. The Pioneers need to be on upset alert especially going up against a program that is much better than their record indicates.

 

SANDY DUNES: HARPER WOODS 24, CHANDLER PARK 21.

BURNEY: HARPER WOODS 31, CHANDLER PARK 17.

DUNLAP: HARPER WOODS 23, CHANDLER PARK 16.

TIM:

STICK: HARPER WOODS over CHANDLER PARK.

COTTER: HARPER WOODS 39, CHANDLER PARK 8.

 

Milan at 7. Berkley: The Bears are 12-6 and have two postseason appearances. Berkley will be a different team according to Coach Sean Shields. They are trying to get to their goal which is a league crown which looks very manageable. The Bears should be tested against a very good Milan program. The Big Reds have made the postseason 15 of the last 18 years. Milan is 35-8 since 2018. This is going to be a very tough matchup at Hurley Field to say the least.

 

SANDY DUNES: BERKLEY 35, MILAN 32.

BURNEY: BERKLEY 24, MILAN 20.

DUNLAP: BERKLEY 17, MILAN 13.

TIM:

STICK: BERKLEY over MILAN

COTTER: BERKLEY 24, MILAN 21.

 

Seaholm at 8. Bloomfield Hills: This is third meeting between these two neighborhood rivals and the first meeting since 2017 when Bloomfield Hills won 21-19. Seaholm won the first meeting 38-21 in 2014. This is a very interesting matchup of two different styles. The Blackhawks are more of a spread team while the Maples are more of a veer team. The quarterback matchup is very intriguing between CJ Jackson of Bloomfield Hills and Colton Kinnie of Seaholm. Whoever wins the battle of intangibles wins this game.

 

SANDY DUNES: SEAHOLM 27, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 20.

BURNEY: BLOOMFIELD HILLS 28, SEAHOLM 27.

DUNLAP: SEAHOLM 27, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 24.

TIM:

STICK: BLOOMFIELD HILLS over SEAHOLM.

COTTER: SEAHOLM 26, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 21.

 

  1. Stoney Creek at Detroit Mumford: This is the first meeting between the Cougars and the Mustangs. Stoney Creek was supposed to play Port Huron but the Big Reds are playing Grand Rapids Catholic Central instead. Detroit Mumford is 6-10 in the last two years. The Cougars have a veteran team. This should be very interesting in Detroit.

 

SANDY DUNES: STONEY CREEK 28, DETROIT MUMFORD 12.

BURNEY: STONEY CREEK 25, DETROIT MUMFORD 20.

DUNLAP: STONEY CREEK 35, DETROIT MUMFORD 7.

TIM:

STICK: STONEY CREEK over DETROIT MUMFORD.

COTTER: STONEY CREEK 32 DETROIT MUMFORD 8.

 

  1. Oxford at Romeo: These two schools are no strangers to each other having played since 2014. The Wildcats are 7-25 against the Bulldogs. Oxford fell 34-13 to Romeo last season in a game that was closer than the score indicated. The Bulldogs have a ton of experience coming back. The Wildcats have not fared well at Dan Barnabo Field. It should be very interesting to see what happens.

 

SANDY DUNES: ROMEO 24, OXFORD 20.

BURNEY: OXFORD 25, ROMEO 24.

DUNLAP: OXFORD 27, ROMEO 20.

TIM:

STICK: ROMEO over OXFORD.

COTTER: ROMEO 27, OXFORD 7.

 

Utica at Rochester: This is the 25th meeting between the Falcons and the Chieftains. Rochester has won three straight and won the 2012 and 2013 meetings by a combined 66-21 including a 28-14 victory in 2013. The last time that Utica beat Rochester was in 1979 when they won 26-0. The Chieftains have been improving, they made the postseason last season. The Falcons should have their hands full in this game at Rochester Stadium.

 

SANDY DUNES: ROCHESTER 28, UTICA 14.

BURNEY: ROCHESTER 36, UTICA 21.

DUNLAP: ROCHESTER 28, UTICA 7.

TIM:

STICK: ROCHESTER over UTICA.

COTTER: ROCHESTER 31, UTICA 14.

 

North Farmington at Groves: These are two teams that are trying to turn around tough seasons and losing streaks. The Raiders lost six straight games which caused them to miss the postseason for the first time in three years. North Farmington’s last win came against Groves when they won 49-0 at Ron Holland Field. The Falcons missed the postseason for the first time in eight years last season. Groves wants to get back to where they have been. This is the 18th meeting between the two schools with the Raiders holding a 10-7 season series edge. This game should be tight in Beverly Hills.

 

SANDY DUNES: NORTH FARMINGTON 20, GROVES 17.

BURNEY: NORTH FARMINGTON 21, GROVES 20.

DUNLAP: GROVES 21, NORTH FARMINGTON 20.

TIM:

STICK: NORTH FARMINGTON over GROVES.

COTTER: NORTH FARMINGTON 21, GROVES 14.

 

Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit at Oak Park: These two neighborhood rivals are no strangers to one another. They are separated by four miles and are in the same district for boys basketball almost every year. The Knights are 2-1 against the Cubs. They have met in the postseason three times. Oak Park won 27-21 at Hazel Park in the 2020 district finals and 26-17 in the first round in 2016. Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit won 14-8 in the district finals in the 2013 postseason. This should be a very interesting matchup in Knight Valley.

 

SANDY DUNES: OAK PARK 28, DETROIT UNIVERSITY-DETROIT JESUIT 21.

BURNEY: OAK PARK 24, DETROIT UNIVERSITY-DETROIT JESUIT 23.

DUNLAP: DETROIT UNIVERSITY-DETROIT JESUIT 14, OAK PARK 7.

TIM:

STICK: OAK PARK over DETROIT UNIVERSITY-DETROIT JESUIT.

COTTER: OAK PARK 22, DETROIT UNIVERSITY-DETROIT JESUIT 21.

 

Troy Athens at Fraser: This is the first meeting between the two schools. The Red Hawks have a new coach in Tom Cook taking over the program. Troy Athens is 12-64 since 2012 but won five games last season. Fraser is coming into this season with high expectations. The Ramblers are 10-7 with two postseason appearances. They were 10-35 since 2015 prior to the two years. The Red Hawks are a different team. This should be a very interesting matchup.

 

SANDY DUNES: TROY ATHENS 20, FRASER 17.

BURNEY: TROY ATHENS 26, FRASER 25.

DUNLAP: FRASER 28, TROY ATHENS 17.

TIM:

STICK: TROY ATHENS over FRASER.

COTTER: TROY ATHENS 33, FRASER 14.

 

Troy at Macomb L’Anse Creuse North: This is the first meeting between the two schools. It has been a strong two years for the Colts. Troy is 12-6 in that span. The last time they took on a Macomb County opponent they were embarrassed 33-0 on regional television in the first round of the postseason by Chippewa Valley. The Crusaders are 0-14 in the last two years and 7-33 since 2016. This should be a cakewalk for the Colts but if not then let the criticism began.

 

SANDY DUNES: MACOMB L’ANSE CREUSE NORTH 20, TROY 14.

BURNEY: TROY 27, MACOMB L’ANSE CREUSE NORTH 17.

DUNLAP: MACOMB L’ANSE CREUSE NORTH 24, TROY 20.

TIM:

STICK: TROY over MACOMB L’ANSE CREUSE NORTH.

COTTER: TROY 34, MACOMB L’ANSE CREUSE NORTH 7.

 

Ypsilanti Lincoln at Farmington: This is the second meeting between the Falcons and the Railsplitters but the first at Falcon Field. Farmington won 35-14 in Ypsilanti in 2019. The Falcons will look to have a bounce back year after going 4-12 in the last two seasons. Ypsilanti Lincoln is 13-21 since 2017. This should be a very interesting matchup at Falcon Field.

 

SANDY DUNES: FARMINGTON 24, YPSILANTI LINCOLN 21.

BURNEY: FARMINGTON 33, YPSILANTI LINCOLN 19.

DUNLAP: FARMINGTON 10, YPSILANTI LINCOLN 7.

TIM:

STICK: FARMINGTON over YPSILANTI LINCOLN.

COTTER: FARMINGTON 28, YPSILANTI LINCOLN 21.

 

Ferndale at Macomb L’Anse Creuse: This will be the first meeting between the two schools. It was a very rough year for the Eagles which was un Coach Eric Royal like. They were not the same program since losing to Royal Oak last season. Ferndale heads into Macomb County to take on Macomb L’Anse Creuse. The Lancers have made the postseason three straight years and is 18-10 in that span. This is going to be a very difficult matchup for the Eagles.

 

SANDY DUNES: FERNDALE 24, MACOMB L’ANSE CREUSE 17.

BURNEY: FERNDALE 22, MACOMB L’ANSE CREUSE 18.

DUNLAP: FERNDALE 21, MACOMB L’ANSE CREUSE 20.

TIM:

STICK: FERNDALE over MACOMB L’ANSE CREUSE

COTTER: MACOMB L’ANSE CREUSE 42, FERNDALE 6.

 

Royal Oak at Holly: This is going to be a really interesting matchup which will be on grass which could be an advantage for the Bronchos. It’s also a battle of new coaches between Dustyn Truitt at Royal Oak and Billy Keenest at Holly. Keenest is no stranger to the OAA coaching at Troy Athens and Berkley and is an Oxford alumni as well. Truitt is a Farmington alumni which makes this matchup the more interesting. The quarterback battle should be very interesting between Hudson Siddle and Ashton DeHart. The Ravens have Mekahi Jenkins which gives them an edge up front. This should be a classic battle up front as both teams are trying to get off to good starts.

 

SANDY DUNES: HOLLY 24, ROYAL OAK 20.

BURNEY: ROYAL OAK 28, HOLLY 15.

DUNLAP: ROYAL OAK 14, HOLLY 10.

TIM:

STICK: HOLLY over ROYAL OAK.

COTTER: HOLLY 27, ROYAL OAK 7.

 

Avondale at Warren Cousino: This is the seventh meeting all time between the Yellow Jackets and the Patriots but the first meeting since 2001. Warren Cousino is 6-37 since 2017. Avondale is 11-15 in their last three years. On paper this looks like a mismatch but you never know.

 

SANDY DUNES: AVONDALE 42, WARREN COUSINO 0.

BURNEY: AVONDALE 23, WARREN COUSINO 22.

DUNLAP: WARREN COUSINO 20, AVONDALE 17.

TIM:

STICK: AVONDALE over WARREN COUSINO.

COTTER: AVONDALE 49, WARREN COUSINO 7.

 

Madison Heights Bishop Foley at Pontiac: This is the first meeting between the Phoenix and the Ventures. Pontiac was supposed to take one Detroit Osborn in what would had been a much easier matchup but instead went with a much tougher matchup against Madison Heights Bishop Foley. The Ventures are well coached under Coach Brian Barnes. This will not be an easy matchup for Coach Ken Wade and company but the good news it’s at home.

 

SANDY DUNES: MADISON HEIGHTS BISHOP FOLEY 28, PONTIAC 26.

BURNEY: PONTIAC 21, MADISON HEIGHTS BISHOP FOLEY 17.

DUNLAP: MADISON HEIGHTS BISHOP FOLEY 24, PONTIAC 7.

TIM:

STICK: MADISON HEIGHTS BISHOP FOLEY over PONTIAC.

COTTER: MADISON HEIGHTS BISHOP FOLEY 49, PONTIAC 6.

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Friday, August 19, 2022

 

Volleyball Preview.

Written Friday August 19th at 9:30 PM

Here is my early preview for Volleyball heading into the season.

AROUND THE OAA TOP TEN

  1. Clarkston
  2. Berkley
  3. Oxford
  4. Lake Orion
  5. Stoney Creek
  6. Adams
  7. Seaholm
  8. Bloomfield Hills
  9. Troy
  10. West Bloomfield

Red

Clarkston

Oxford

Lake Orion

Adams

Stoney Creek

Seaholm

Bloomfield Hills

Troy

EARLY THOUGHTS: When looking at the Red. Clarkston is the team that stands out. They have a ton of experience coming back. Oxford looks to be the top challenger to Clarkston. The Wildcats have a solid core coming back. Lake Orion returns one of the most dangerous outside hitters in the State but there are some questions surrounding the Dragons. Adams should be solid this season. Stoney Creek as well should be in the mix. Seaholm is a wildcard in the Red. Bloomfield Hills has a new coach but has looked solid early. Troy should be a team to watch for as well. The Wolves are the early favorite with the proven experience that is back.

White

Berkley

West Bloomfield

North Farmington

Groves

Rochester

Farmington

Troy Athens

Avondale

EARLY THOUGHTS: When looking at the White. Berkley made a ton of strides last season. I think the Bears are ready for some more and they could have a deep postseason run if things go right. The Bears have a ton of proven experience coming back. West Bloomfield has a ton of proven experience coming back. North Farmington has some experience coming back. Groves could be a factor this season. Rochester has some experience coming back. Farmington lost a lot of talent from last season. Troy Athens will be very young this season. Avondale could make some noise as well this season. Overall this division looks like three teams have a shot but it’s anyone’s division.

 

Blue

Ferndale

Royal Oak

Harper Woods

Ferndale University

Southfield Arts and Tech

Oak Park

Pontiac

EARLY THOUGHTS: The Blue is not a strong division when looking at it on paper. Ferndale is the early favorite. The Eagles have proven experience and have been there and done that. Royal Oak could surprise some people. The Ravens have some proven experience coming back. Harper Woods is the new team on the block. There are some questions surrounding the Pioneers. Ferndale University is the darkhorse. The Eagles could surprise some people. Southfield Arts and Tech has been up and down. Oak Park has struggled recently as has Pontiac. I think Ferndale has the edge over everyone in this division.