by orionontv | Nov 8, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Tuesday November 7th at 7:45 PM
The Falcons have their new boys basketball coach.
Farmington named Byron Johnson as their new coach according to the MHSAA website. He takes over for Derrick McDowell who was fired after a scandal that rocked the program.
Johnson played college basketball at Siena Heights where he was 58-16 as a player. He is eight all time in scoring, fifth in steals, and 11th in assists at the school.
Johnson brings a ton of playing experience. It will be very interesting to see how it translates into coaching.
He will have proven players in Greg Grays, Darrell Coltrane, and Quintez Sadler coming back.
Program strength and trust are going to be a huge challenge for Johnson. Farmington also has a tough district and a tough division looming this season.
Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.
Here is the conformation of the hire.
https://www.mhsaa.com/schools/farmington/boys/varsity/basketball
by orionontv | Nov 8, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Tuesday November 7th at 8:00 PM
The Cougars have a new girls basketball coach.
Stoney Creek named Columbus Williams as their new coach according to the MHSAA website. He takes over for Coach Kellen James who stepped down last month.
Williams coached at New Haven and is in charge of the Michigan Goonies AAU program. He was 54-26 in his four years at New Haven.
Williams takes over a Stoney Creek program that is loaded with proven talent and experience. They have Sarah LaPrarie, Merrick Schlawbach, and Izzy Ivezaj coming back. The Cougars won 46 games in the last three years under James.
It will be very interesting for the Cougars as they will have to go through a coaching transition period. It will be also interesting to see what Williams does different from what James did.
Stoney Creek will be in a very tough division in the Red and in a very tough district which has Adams, Rochester, Romeo, and Utica Eisenhower.
Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.
Here is the conformation.
https://www.mhsaa.com/schools/stoneycreek/girls/varsity/basketball
by orionontv | Oct 30, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Saturday October 28th at 10:05 AM
Harper Woods: The Pioneers needed a strong fourth quarter to beat Croswell-Lexington 20-13 on Friday night. Harper Woods trailed 13-6 after three quarters but the offense came alive with Stephone Buford scoring three total touchdowns (two air, one rush) including a winning 20 yard pass to Ramonty House. The Pioneers held Croswell-Lexington to zero second half points. Harper Woods has Marysville looming next week.
Avondale: The Yellow Jackets had a hard fought game with Holly on Friday night winning 34-24 at Dick Bye Field. Tyler Herzog was solid for Avondale and the ground game was also solid. They have a big one looming with Walled Lake Western next week.
Seaholm: The Maples have beaten Groves two straight weeks winning a Big Twelve shootout 56-49 on Friday night. Seaholm built a 35-7 halftime lead only to see Groves try and attempt to comeback but the Maples held on just enough to win. Colton Kinnie was dominant on the air and in the ground throwing to Louie Sullivan and Jack Lewis also found the end zone as well. Kinnie was responsible for five touchdowns in the game. Seaholm will have Waterford Mott or Livonia Franklin at home next week.
Groves: The Falcons saw Seaholm ruin their season in the last two weeks. The Maples won 56-49 in a wild shootout. Cayden Hardy did everything he could but the first half did not help Groves as they allowed 35 points. They won the second half 42-14 but it wasn’t enough. The Falcons lose Hardy to graduation but have the majority of their team coming back next season.
Southfield Arts and Tech: The Warriors had no problem with Dearborn Fordson winning 38-14 on Friday night. Isiah Marshall was solid for Southfield Arts and Tech. The Warriors defense played well limiting Dearborn Fordson all night. They have a big one looming with Detroit Cass Tech next week.
Adams: It was a rough night for the Highlanders on Friday night in the Swamp as they fell 42-14 to West Bloomfield. Adams had a rough night on both sides of the football. Rino Watters was picked off twice and was injured. Brady Prieskorn also got hurt in the game as well. It’s a rough way to go out for the Highlanders but Coach Patritto has an experienced group led by Watters coming back next season.
West Bloomfield: The Lakers showed their dominance in a shocking 42-14 blowout of Adams on Friday night at the Swamp. West Bloomfield had three interceptions and the offense had their moments of greatness. The Lakers have a big test looming when they head to Sweinhart to play Utica Eisenhower next week.
Clarkston: The Wolves stars showed out in a big way on Friday night with Clarkston winning 33-10 over Romeo and snapping a three game losing streak in the process. The Wolves defense really stood out against a team that had equally played a brutal schedule. Desman Stephens had a 55 yard reverse touchdown, Brady Collins had his best game at quarterback on varsity of the season. He added a 14 yard passing touchdown and the Bowman twins combined for three rushing touchdowns. Clarkston has Lake Orion looming next week.
Oxford: The Wildcats were overwhelmed on Friday night by a potent Lake Orion offense falling 58-26. Oxford gave up 44 points in the first half which was shocking. Luke Johnson added a rushing touchdown. Jack Hendrix was solid throwing an early score to Jay Cady. The Wildcats were very young this season and have been through a lot. They will be back for sure next season.
Lake Orion: The Dragons offense was dominant on Friday night against their arch rivals from Oxford in a 58-26 win over the Wildcats. TR Hill was dominant in both passing and running the football. Billy Roberson had a solid night as well. Lake Orion put 44 points in the first half. The defense has been a concern in the last two weeks allowing 54 points. They have a big one looming with Clarkston next week.
by orionontv | Oct 30, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Saturday October 28th at 9:30 AM
HARPER WOODS 20, Croswell-Lexington 13: The Pioneers showed their resolve on Friday night in a tough and physical game winning 20-13 at Harper Woods. The Pioneers scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter which ended up being the difference. Stephone Buford had three touchdowns, two from the air and one from the ground winning 20 yard passing score to Ramondy House. Harper Woods did lose Dakota Gurrant to an injury in the game, it is unknown if he will play next week. Croswell-Lexington gave everything Harper Woods can handle but playing the tough schedule the Pioneers have in the OAA came through for them. The Pioneers defense clamped down in the second half against a very stout Croswell-Lexington offense shutting them out in the second half. Harper Woods will host Marysville next week.
AVONDALE 34, Holly 24: It was a tight game at Dick Bye Field on Friday night between two teams that know each other quite well. The Yellow Jackets won 34-24 in a physical game of two teams that love to run the football. It was Avondale’s first postseason win since 2012 when they were coached by Steve Deutch. Tyler Herzog had a huge game for Avondale against a very good Bronchos defense. The Yellow Jackets have a big one looming when they head to Walled Lake to play Walled Lake Western next week.
SEAHOLM 56, GROVES 49: This was a rivalry game that turned into a classic Big Twelve shootout when usually that is a defensive coordinator’s worst nightmare. The Maples beat the Falcons for the second straight week 56-49 in Beverly Hills. Seaholm had a 35-7 lead at one point but Groves fought back and made it a game. Colton Kinnie played well for the Maples. He had 22 carries for 121 yards and four touchdowns along with 52 yards passing and two scores both were to Louie Sullivan. Cayden Hardy was solid in his final game for Groves but the Falcons defense really struggled in both matchups against the veer and the proven experience of Seaholm. Groves has a ton of talent coming back next season. The Maples will either host Livonia Franklin or Waterford Mott next week.
SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 38, Dearborn Fordson 14: The Warriors had no issue with Dearborn Fordson winning 38-14 on Friday night. Isiah Marshall had a solid game for Southfield Arts and Tech and the defense kept the Tractors in check all night. The Warriors have a big one looming with Detroit Cass Tech coming to Southfield next week.
WEST BLOOMFIELD 42, ADAMS 14: The Lakers had a great night especially defensively in a 42-14 win over Adams on Friday night in the Swamp. West Bloomfield had four turnovers including a pick six for a touchdown. Brandon Davis-Swain added two touchdowns, Rick Nance was solid, and Kam Flowers had a long rushing touchdown. What didn’t help things for the Highlanders is that they lost quarterback Rino Watters to an AC joint injury and Brady Prieskorn to a knee injury. Adams has a ton of proven talent coming back next season led by Watters. The Lakers will head to Sweinhart to play Utica Eisenhower next week.
CLARKSTON 33, Romeo 10: The Wolves probably played their best game of the season on Friday night by beating Romeo 33-10 at the Wolves Den. Desman Stephens had a monster night for Clarkston including a 55 yard reverse touchdown. Brady Collins played his best game of the season for the Wolves running and passing the football. He had a 14 yard rushing score and the Bowman twins Lukas (eight and one) and Griffin (10) combined for three rushing scores. The Clarkston defense was stout all night shutting down Romeo and their offense. The Wolves will play Lake Orion on the road next week. Clarkston fell 42-21 to Lake Orion in week seven. It should be a very interesting and fun atmosphere.
LAKE ORION 58, OXFORD 26: The Dragons offense exploded on Friday night against arch rival Oxford winning 58-26. Tristian Hill was a beast in the air and especially on the ground scoring three long rushing scores and a passing score to Raymond Payne. Billy Roberson had a solid game scoring twice. Luke Johnson added a touchdown run and Jack Hendrix connected on a play action score to Jay Cady on the night. Oxford has a ton of talent coming back next season. Lake Orion will host Clarkston next week in a rematch where the Dragons won 42-21 in week seven.
by orionontv | Oct 23, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Sunday October 22nd at 8:40 PM
The postseason matchups are set so here are my postseason thoughts on each of the postseason teams. We’ll talk more on these teams on the podcast.
Harper Woods: The Pioneers have a very interesting district with three proven teams in this district. They will face a very good Croswell-Lexington program on Friday night. The Pioneers will make the trip from Sanilac County down M-25 to I-94 for this matchup. If Harper Woods wins this game then either Marine City or Madison Heights Lamphere awaits but they too would head to Harper Woods. The Pioneers have a lot of their opponents heading to Wayne County for the postseason.
Avondale: The Yellow Jackets have a really interesting district set up. They play Holly which will be a really interesting matchup and if they win that then they should get Walled Lake Western in the district final. I like the draw for Coach Bob Meyer and Avondale. They have a legit shot to do some damage in Division Three.
Groves: I didn’t think that the Falcons would get a four seed for the postseason which happened and to get a rematch with Seaholm no less who they fell 21-14 last week. It should be a very interesting matchup to say the least in the Battle of Birmingham Part Two.
Seaholm: The Maples knew they would see Groves somewhere deep in the postseason. Just didn’t think it would be the first round. Seaholm and Groves are no strangers to deep postseason runs. It’s a tough first round draw for sure in the Battle of Birmingham Part Two.
Southfield Arts and Tech: The Warriors earned a top seed despite losing to West Bloomfield in week eight. Southfield Arts and Tech has Dearborn Fordson first and if they win that matchup then they would meet most likely Detroit Cass Tech in a district final rematch and possibly the fourth in five meetings. The Warriors are at home for the postseason which always helps.
West Bloomfield: I talked to Tyler Kieft of Civic Center Television and he was curious to see how both the Lakers and Adams have improved heading into their postseason rematch in the Swamp. West Bloomfield won 36-32 in week five. It’s a brutal matchup for the Lakers defensive coordinator taking on the veer. If they win then they will likely head to Sweinhart to play Utica Eisenhower next week.
Adams: I can only imagine how Coach Tony Patritto feels right now. The Highlanders don’t get a home game and they have to head back to “The Swamp” to play West Bloomfield in a 36-32 week five rematch. If they win that then they would likely have to go to Sweinhart in the district finals, that’s a really tough draw for Adams.
Clarkston: The Wolves have really struggled in the last three weeks especially defensively but they did just enough to get a home game in the postseason however it’s against Romeo which is a tough matchup despite their record. The Bulldogs have played a really tough schedule in the MAC Red and they beat Utica Eisenhower. It’s going to be a tough matchup for Clarkston that is for sure.
Oxford: Memories of 2021 still shades Oxford when they upset Clarkston. The Wildcats had to win three games to make the postseason. A lot of credit goes to Luke Johnson and a stout Oxford team up front. They head south to Lake Orion to play the Dragons. It should be a very interesting game between these two arch rivals.
Lake Orion: The Dragons are 9-0 for the fifth time in school history and they have the top spot based on playoff points. They have their three opponents coming to Lake Orion. This is a trap game for Lake Orion taking on Oxford. The Dragons won 38-13 in week three this season. It should be a very interesting game to watch in the Battle of M-24.
at October 22, 2023 No comments:
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest
Saturday, October 21, 2023
Written Saturday October 21st at 7:20 PM
Updated Saturday October 21st at 8:15 PM
The OAA was in full force on Saturday afternoon in Midland for Boys Tennis and Girls Golf.
Tennis
Bloomfield Hills won the Division One State crown with 36 points and it’s back to back after they won it last season. Troy was second with 27 points. Rochester was fourth with 15 points. Troy Athens and Adams were tied for eighth with 10 points. Stoney Creek was 14th with six points.
The Blackhawks had six champions on the day while the Colts and Falcons are also in the hunt as well.
Bloomfield Hills brings the OAA their first State crown of the 2023-2024 season.
Girls Golf
Adams repeated as Division One State Champions in Girls Golf scoring a 669 holding off Brighton by one stroke on Saturday afternoon at Forest Akers West Golf Course.
Rochester was fifth with 695, Oxford was seventh with 730, and Lake Orion was 10th with 735.
The Highlanders are back to back State Champs as mentioned. Congrats to Adams on bringing the league’s second crown of the season.
at October 21, 2023 No comments:
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest
Written Saturday October 21st at 6:00 PM
Here is my insight heading to the regionals. This article will be updated if History Now host Anthony Taormina does his preview on these two regions.
Region Two @ Grand Blanc
BLOOMFIELD HILLS vs Brighton
OXFORD vs Novi Detroit Catholic Central
THOUGHTS/PROJECTION: This is a very interesting regional. Oxford and Novi Detroit Catholic Central should be a very interesting game. Bloomfield Hills and Brighton is also quite interesting. I’m seeing a Bloomfield Hills vs Novi Detroit Catholic Central regional final with the Shamrocks moving on. PICK: NOVI DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL.
Region Four @ Troy
ADAMS vs TROY ATHENS
Warren Cousino vs Utica Ford II
THOUGHTS/PROJECTION: This should be a very interesting regional. Troy Athens won their very tough district as did Adams as well and they are the defending Division One State Champs. Warren Cousino is the upstart after winning their first district crown in school history. Utica Ford II has a ton of experience and has been in the mix for years. I see this district painted in red and gold. PICK: TROY ATHENS.
by orionontv | Oct 23, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Saturday October 21st at 10:30 AM
These are my postseason football projections. These aren’t the official State playoffs, they come out tomorrow. Here are my projections. These will be updated after the Saturday games. OAA schools are in CAPS.
Shout out to Goose Poop and Snooze for the postseason maps.
Division One
District 1, Region 1
Holland West Ottawa (54.6) at Rockford (85.6)
Hudsonville (58.1) at Greenville (74.1)
District 2, Region 1
Grand Ledge (57.4) at Davison (82.4)
Grand Blanc (58.2) at CLARKSTON (62.1)
District 1, Region 2
Brighton (58.6) at Northville (78.6)
Novi Detroit Catholic Central (60.3) at Novi (70.6)
District 2, Region 2
Ann Arbor Huron (54.2) at Belleville (84)
Ann Arbor Pioneer (58) at Saline (78.3)
District 3, Region 1
OXFORD (55.5) at LAKE ORION (85.7)
Lapeer (57.4) at ADAMS (62.7)
District 3, Region 2
Utica (53.5) at Utica Eisenhower (78)
Romeo (59.3) at Macomb Dakota (70.7)
District 4, Region 1
Dearborn Fordson (58.3) at WEST BLOOMFIELD (77.5)
Westland John Glenn (70.5) at SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH (75.1)
District 4, Region 2
Sterling Heights Stevenson (58) at Chippewa Valley (77)
Detroit Cass Tech (58.6) at St. Clair Shores Lakeview (62.8)
Division Two
District 1, Region 1
Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern (54.8) at Muskegon (69)
Muskegon Reefs Puffer (60.8) at Muskegon Mona Shores (61.4)
District 2, Region 1
Traverse City Central (49.7) at Saginaw Heritage (66.6)
Midland (50.6) at Midland Dow (51.4)
District 1, Region 2
Byron Center (67.1) at Portage Central (73.8)
Portage Northern (68.9) at Caledonia (70.1)
District 2, Region 2
Lansing Everett (48) at East Lansing (67.5)
Milford (59.1) at Dexter (64.7)
District 3, Region 1
Lakeland (60.8) at SEAHOLM (72.8)
GROVES (62.6) at Waterford Mott (65.5)
District 3, Region 2
Livonia Churchill (48.5) at Carlson (73.3)
Livonia Franklin (63 at Allen Park (71.5)
District 4, Region 1
L’Anse Creuse (52.8) at Grosse Pointe South (77.2)
Roseville (60.4) at Port Huron Northern (61)
District 4, Region 2
Warren Cousino (50) at Warren De LaSalle (69.2)
Warren Mott (58.1) at Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit (58.2)
Division Three
District 1, Region 1
Petoskey (47.3) at Mount Pleasant (73.3)
Marquette (49.6) at Gaylord (66.5)
District 2, Region 1
Grand Rapids Northview (46.4) at Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (71.8)
Lowell (56.2) at DeWitt (62.1)
District 1, Region 2
Coopersville (55.7) at East Grand Rapids (63.6)
Zeeland East (57.1) at Zeeland West (57.3)
District 2, Region 2
Stevensville Lakeshore (54.8) at Parma Western (63.6)
Battle Creek Harper Creek (52.8) at St. Joseph (58.7)
District 3, Region 1
Bay City Western (47.2) at Fenton (60.8)
Linden (49) at Holly (52.4)
District 3, Region 2
Warren Fitzgerald (46.2) at AVONDALE (68.6)
Grosse Pointe North (51) at Port Huron (61.6)
District 4, Region 1
Detroit Martin Luther King (46.5) at Walled Lake Western (74.3)
Redford Thurston (46.5) at Mason (72.7)
District 4, Region 2
River Rouge (50.3) at Southgate Anderson (65.4)
Trenton (56.8) at Riverview (57.5)
Division Four
District 1, Region 1
Allendale (48.3) at Whitehall (62.1)
Grand Rapids South Christian (50.8) at Spring Lake (55.5)
District 2, Region 1
Edwardsburg (47.4) at Niles (60.5)
Wayland (48.4) at Paw Paw (60.2)
District 1, Region 2
Vicksburg (42.4) at Hastings (60.5)
Big Rapids (49.4) at Ada Forest Hills Eastern (55.7)
District 2, Region 2
Ionia (42.8) at Portland (59.5)
Charlotte (44.2) at Lansing Sexton (56.4)
District 3, Region 1
Lake Fenton (49.7) at Goodrich (64.2)
Haslett (55.2) at Freeland (55.3)
District 3, Region 2
Brandon (47.4) at Marysville (54.7)
Croswell-Lexington (51) at Madison Heights Lamphere (51.8)
District 4, Region 1
Tecumseh (46.6) at Chelsea (64.4)
Adrian (51.6) at Carleton Airport (62.1)
District 4, Region 2
Detroit East English Village Prep (44.2) at HARPER WOODS (64.8)
Dearborn Divine Child (48.1) at Redford Union (59.6)
