by Becky Andrus | Nov 1, 2021 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
By Sammy Taormina
Written Saturday October 30th at 10:00 AM
A team with no fear and nothing to lose can be the most dangerous.
Especially in the postseason with a team that has been through it all and believing they have nothing to lose.
When you have nothing to lose and everything to gain that makes you fearless.
This is what describes Oxford football.
The Wildcats started the season with the most brutal schedule in my nearly 20 years I have ever seen. They started out 0-3 with losses to Romeo, Adams, and West Bloomfield. It looked like it was going to be a very long year at Oxford.
Then everything changed.
The Wildcats went with that nothing to lose mindset when they went into Lake Orion and put up 51 on the Dragons on their home field winning the Double O Trophy from them.
That changed everything and the belief they can win.
They also went on the road and knocked off Stoney Creek and Southfield Arts and Tech as well along with huge home wins over Rochester and then the big one when they beat perennial Macomb Area Conference Red powerhouse Chippewa Valley by one point.
Probably the biggest proof that the Wildcats have arrived was when they played Clarkston. The Wolves had beaten Oxford three times in the last two years including the playoffs. These two teams played on Oxford’s homecoming but the Wildcats fell in a tight one 20-17.
Come to Friday night, the Wildcats had nothing to lose and everything to gain went into Clarkston and out toughed them in the trenches. They pulled off to what many experts said was a huge upset 38-28.
To the minds of the Oxford players it wasn’t an upset.
They knew they could do this.
They were prepared for this.
This was a team that was built for Clarkston.
The Wildcats are senior heavy and veteran laden team. Oxford has a gritty and talented quarterback in Brady Carpenter, although not like his brother Drew, Brady has taken major strides and has really improved as a passer and runner. The Wildcats are known for their pound the rock scheme under former and legendary coach Bud Rowley. What always helps is that you need a proven running back and they have a proven running back in Sal Valcaro. Valcaro had his best game of his career going for 300 yards and four touchdowns against the Wolves. Oxford has a pretty solid wide receiving group for Carpenter to throw too in Jon Aschusto, Mitchell Vivano, and Alec Brown. They also converted junior Tate Myre from running back to tight end which has paid dividends. Also the offensive line has given Valcaro the huge chunk plays along with protection for Carpenter with Kewone Burton and Landon Severn. They have been huge along with the rest of the rest of the offensive line. It also helps when you have a kicker in sophomore Jay Cady who is also a soccer player can kick you a 47 yard field goal like he did against Clarkston.
The defense is still an issue though. This is something that the Wildcats need to address if they want to go far in the postseason.
I give credit to the Wildcats coaching staff led by Coach Zach Line. Line played under Rowley at Oxford but learned some things at SMU in college and in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints.
When Line took over the program, Oxford changed their helmets from blue to yellow, and has changed the mindset of the program.
The players have bought in especially the senior class.
When a team has nothing to lose like the Wildcats are, that’s what makes them the most dangerous.
by Becky Andrus | Oct 19, 2021 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Monday, October 18, 2021
Bloomfield Hills Football. Are they ready to take the next step????
By Sammy Taormina
Written Monday October 18th at 3:00 PM
2021 has been a great year for some teams and some not so much.
Could argue that Troy has benefited but another who has benefited from this season is Bloomfield Hills.
The Blackhawks football team is 8-0, their soccer team won a league title, their tennis team won a regional title, and had a strong second place showing behind Troy, and their volleyball program is solid.
I have been really hard on their football team because of the strength of schedule.
These next two weeks will define the Blackhawks.
The questions I wonder is are they ready to take the next step especially in football???
Are they ready to go to the White??? Are they ready to compete against other strong competition???
Bloomfield Hills is 8-0 for a reason but the questions remain. Can they compete against programs like West Bloomfield and Novi Detroit Catholic Central, two very strong and consistent programs???
These next two weeks will answer those questions.
It is no secret that I have been critical of Blackhawks football but the reason for that is I want to see them succeed. I believe they can do more and away from the Blue.
Now when Bloomfield Hills went down to the Blue in 2020 is because they struggled against the Red like West Bloomfield, Clarkston, Oxford, Southfield Arts and Tech, and Lake Orion. The hope was that they would turn it around.
It sounds like they have.
The question is, is it long term???
We clearly thought that in 2016 with John Paddock at quarterback and Jack Sape on defense. They would take the next step. Bloomfield Hills won the Blue that season and moved back up to the Red. They had a respectable season in 2017 but really struggled in 2018 and in 2019.
Tanner Slazinski had some bright moments last season and in the last three years at quarterback. His replacement CJ Jackson has done a great job this season. Shane Winter and Jake Sierperski have also been huge as well for the Blackhawks on both sides of the football. The offensive and defensive lines have been solid as well.
The question is can the Blackhawks build up their sub-varsity. Last season they were able to field a freshman program. This season not so much.
These next few weeks will define Bloomfield Hills football. They have the coaching with Dan Loria and the talent. The question is do they want to do it.
A win over Troy will guarantee a move to the White. A loss doesn’t necessary mean that they would also move up to the White. A lot will depend when the OAA realigns.
Are they ready to take the next step that is the question???
These next two weeks we will find out.
by Becky Andrus | Oct 11, 2021 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Monday, October 11, 2021
These Next Two Weeks Will Define Troy Football.
By Sammy Taormina
Written Monday October 11th at 3:30 PM
This might be the biggest two weeks in the long history of Troy Football.
Two years ago the Colts went 0-9 in which they did not score a point for seven weeks.
Now they are 7-0 which is the first time they are here since 1988 heading into the biggest two weeks of their season. A lot of that turn around occurred last season when Troy went into Bloomfield Hills and beat the Blackhawks 29-14 in the pre-district.
They have won eight of nine since that game.
Coach Chris Frasier has done a wonderful job really turning this program around since taking over for longtime Coach Gary Griffith in 2016.
Although there are still some improvements that are needed though. Program strength is certainly one of those areas that needs to be improved upon and quickly.
Troy overcame a huge obstacle last week when they beat their arch rival Troy Athens 21-20 on the road. The Red Hawks have had the Colts number outscoring them 104-0 in the last three years. They even trailed 20-7 in the fourth quarter only to comeback and won that game.
It always helps when you have a star player in the making in Darius Whiteside. Whiteside has been a star on both sides of the football. He is a football, basketball, and track standout as well. Whiteside has made big play after big play at wide receiver and in the defensive secondary.
Nolan and Ethan Block have also been huge contributors as well for Troy. Both of them play multiple positions and have had moments where their impact was so great on both sides of the football.
Max Stromberg has been efficient as a player at quarterback. He has a strong arm and can run the football as need be. Stromberg had the winning rushing score to seal the Colts comeback last week.
The offensive line which is veteran heavy has also played very well as well. They have been the key for the Colts resurgence.
The Troy defense has been stout all season long allowing 39 points total. Now the schedule hasn’t been the strongest but that was the schedule that was given to them.
These next two weeks are going to define the Colts. They will likely be in the postseason but their division title hopes are on the line in these next two weeks with both games on the road.
The first test comes against Berkley at Hurley Field. The Bears come in at 6-1 after beating Livonia Clarenceville 36-33 last week. Berkley has had the Colts number outscoring them 53-14 in the last two years. Berkley has also won three of the last five meetings. They like Troy has a ton of experience with Zach Maurice, Ben Maurice, Jake Domzalski, and others.
Now if Troy gets past Berkley then they would have to go back to the place where they won their first playoff game since 2007 in Bloomfield Hills. The Blackhawks will likely be 8-0 heading into that game. Bloomfield Hills fell 29-14 to these same Colts last season. The Blue title would also be on the line in that game.
Troy still controls their destiny even with a loss to Berkley but it would be much harder if they came into that Bloomfield Hills game at 7-1 instead of 8-0.
These next two weeks will define the Colts season and see what they are truly made of and if they are ready to take that next step.
by Becky Andrus | Oct 4, 2021 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Addressing The Division One Teams in the Blue and the Concerns I have once they make the Playoffs.
By Sammy Taormina
Written Saturday October 2nd at 12:10 PM
The Blue has had a ton of surprises in the past.
This one is also a surprise but it also triggers a question.
This season there are two teams that are unbeaten right now in Troy and Bloomfield Hills while Troy Athens sits at 4-2. All three teams are off to good starts.
So where does the problem lie???
All three schools are in the Blue.
They are also Division One schools with big enrollments.
Troy has 2,285 students, Troy Athens has 1,775 students, and Bloomfield Hills has 1,851 students.
The problem for the three Division One schools is that they don’t play other Division One schools or get tested once the playoffs come.
Bloomfield Hills is a perfect example. Once they get to the postseason they usually play West Bloomfield or a Clarkston and get blown out.
The same is also for Troy and Troy Athens.
It happened to the Colts in 2017 despite being in the White. They played Waterford Mott and got blown out. Troy ran into a very good West Bloomfield team in the district semifinals last season while the Red Hawks played a very good Southfield Arts and Tech team despite their record and got blown out.
All three of these schools will likely be in the postseason this season. The question I have is can they hold their own against teams that are from the Red, the White, or other non league powerhouse conferences???
Farmington and Ferndale both play Division One or strong quality Division Two schools for their non league. They get a pass with this column. Avondale, Pontiac, and Royal Oak also get passes.
Bloomfield Hills played Waterford Kettering in Week Two. The Captains are a bottom feeder in the Lakes Valley Conference and have a new coach in Bob Chiesa. They trailed 21-0 only to comeback and win that game 42-21.
Now it is possible that the Blackhawks struggled to find a strong opponent and that Waterford Kettering was available. Now in 2020 they were scheduled to play a powerhouse program in Ohio but because of the COVID-19 pandemic that did not happen.
Bloomfield Hills is not a bad football team. The problem is that they are a Division One school competing in the third division. I know it’s not their fault with the league they are in but could they have considered playing teams to prepare them for the playoffs???
This brings up the question, should everyone make the playoffs??? If this happens this would make realignment so much easier.
It’s very challenging to trust these three teams in the postseason. I don’t think they are tested enough and the strength of schedule worries me with them.
In 2017, Troy, Rochester, and Bloomfield Hills were all in the Blue. Hazel Park was not thrilled about it and left the league because of it.
The team I worry the most out of this is Bloomfield Hills.
There is a real possibility that they could see West Bloomfield, Novi Detroit Catholic Central, or Clarkston in the first round. The Blackhawks have not played the schedule as these three teams have.
So one question that I get is why do I rank Berkley higher than Bloomfield Hills despite the Blackhawks beating the Bears 13-10 in week one.
The answer is the David vs goliath.
Berkley is Division Two and with Bloomfield Hills being in Division One isn’t Bloomfield Hills expected to beat the Division Two or Division Three schools???
Berkley played Warren Mott in the postseason (made district semifinals) last season despite getting blown out.
I can’t blame the Blackhawks for the predicament they are in but how would they do against other Division One foes in the Red and White while not counting Troy Athens and Troy, would we even have this conversation right now???
The thing is Bloomfield Hills is really good this season but are they in the wrong division???
That we will find out.
by Becky Andrus | Sep 27, 2021 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Sunday, September 26, 2021
I have to be Better
By Sammy Taormina
Written Sunday September 26th at 2:10 PM
I have to do better as a blogger and as a person.
The last week hasn’t been good for me.
I’ve let my emotions and opinions get the best of me which is never a good sign.
In sports journalism it’s always important to keep your emotions and opinions out of things. Sometimes it clouds your judgement which it has for me.
I’ve always wanted to be a podcaster and blogger which I am. I wanted to cover the OAA which I do. One of the premier conferences in the State of Michigan.
We all make mistakes and I’m owning up to mine. I don’t want to offend anybody but I feel like in the past week I have and to those who I offend I apologize.
I will do better with my sources and who it impacts.
I have too.
Life is full of learning experiences and this is a learning experience for me.
I encourage those who are interested in sports journalism and in my line of work to keep what you’re doing but research every fact and every detail and things will go your way.
I have to be better and I will be.
by Becky Andrus | Sep 20, 2021 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
By Sammy Taormina
Friday night was a reflection point that I thought I would never go back too.
As watching the Oxford student section, players, and administration celebrate with the Double O Trophy I watched in pure disgust, the embarrassed, and humiliated.
A lot of Dragons are basically feeling the same way as I am.
The Lake Orion Dragons football program has clearly hit rock bottom.
What has happened, what’s changed with this program??? This program has only beaten Clarkston once since 2010 and hasn’t beaten West Bloomfield since 2014 and has three losses to Oxford since the rivalry came back in 2010.
This didn’t happen overnight.
From 2000-2013 this program was 113-35 with each team from that era making the playoffs along with a State Championship, two State Final appearances, and three State semifinal appearances.
Since the 2014 season they are 34-34 with four playoff appearances but haven’t made it past the district final.
What changed???
There was a culture change which featured compliancy and entitlement.
The Dragon teams I was on (2004-2005) and a part of especially from 2000-2013 was clearly “Orion Tough.” They had the mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. They took names and blew people out. They knew losing was not tolerable or even acceptable.
The 2003 team was very talented and had to overcome adversity and they did that.
My senior year in 2005 when we had our fair share of adversity but we got through it. We can say that we were the first and sadly the only class to beat Clarkston twice in one season.
There was the five weeks from hell in 2008 where basically those five weeks where tense dramas from Rochester Adams, Clarkston, Utica Eisenhower, Romeo, and Sterling Heights Stevenson. That team had a freshman quarterback and a young offense that grew along with a pretty stout defense.
The 2010 team overcame a postseason injury and had tense dramas with Utica Eisenhower and Detroit Cass Tech before earning the Division One State title.
The 2012 team featured a very good game manager at quarterback, a few great running backs, a tall wide receiver, a stout offensive line, and a defense. They overcame adversity after losing to Clarkston. They went through Macomb County to get to the State semifinals.
All of those teams from 2000-2013 had team chemistry. Everyone was on the same page. No one was truly a star. It was clearly “The Team, The Team, The Team.”
There were a few years from 2017-2019 that it felt like the “Orion Tough” mantra was coming back with John Blackstock taking over the program for Chris Bell whom focused on being the Athletic Director. The 2017 team truly deserved better than their 3-6 record including winning two of the last three games and was a play away from knocking off the state champs. The 2018 team to overcome a lot with tough early season losses to Lapeer and Oxford but they had some monster road wins at Adams, Southfield Arts and Tech, and Monroe to turn their season around get back to the postseason. The 2019 team truly felt “Orion Tough.” They had big wins over Lapeer, Adams, Oxford, Southfield Arts and Tech, and beating Clarkston for the first time since 2010. That team had a stout quarterback, running back, strong offensive line, good wide receivers, and a defense.
The 2020 team took a bit of a step back given it was a COVID year. The offense had a ton of struggles and issues which put the defense in really bad situations. Again, the Dragons struggled against the Wolves and Lakers but made the playoffs and fell to a surging Grand Blanc Bobcats team who would also eliminate Clarkston that year as well.
The 2021 team had a lot of questions especially in the secondary. When I mentioned in the OAA Now football preview show I saw some signs of concern. I noticed not every player was attending the team camps, there were struggles to get everyone into the weight room. Players were going to college camps to get looks and exposure, I started to question what was going on with this group, why this group was not meshing the way past teams had done. It did not feel like the same fire and motivation was there. With some players, it was there but it has to be everyone, not just groups of players.
This summer was when I knew there could be trouble on the horizon.
The last three weeks have been very sickening and disturbing to watch. The defense has allowed 135 points in three weeks. As someone who takes great pride in being a defensive guy both as a player and an alum, this has been extremely hard to watch. It felt like every quarterback, we went against had a field day, throwing it at will, not seeing any pressure from our defense, it has been truly sickening and disturbing to watch. I know that they changed offenses, the offense can only do so much but even at times, that has been challenged.
As I watched helplessly on the sideline during the Oxford game. I looked in the stands to my future throwers who are going to be future football players, hoping this would never happen to them. Then I looked at the student section, drumline, dance team, cheerleaders, and band, please don’t get me started on them that’s for another day.
The freshman and JV teams have that “Orion Tough” mantra. They have the talent and mental toughness. Something special is brewing between the freshman and sophomore classes for the next few years.
As an alum, to see the players and coaches dejected after the Oxford game. I can only go back and think about what happened in the summer but it’s not just what happened in the summer. I always wondered what happened to the program, there was a gradual drop off in talent after 2012 but it was not as noticeable until 2014 when other schools especially West Bloomfield and Clarkston improved while Lake Orion stayed for the most part stagnant, just happy to be in the Red, simply happy to be there. What happened to having that chip on the shoulder??? “Orion Tough” has always been about playing with that chip, playing tough, physical, relentless, smart football. It’s been a while that “Orion Tough” has been consistent, that is very concerning. When should “Orion Tough” be taught??? Shouldn’t it be taught at the Youth levels and continue to expand into the Middle and High School levels??? Just seems like there are some years where “Orion Tough” is simply not there,
Isn’t Lake Orion’s rival supposed to be Clarkston??? Sure doesn’t seem like it, Orion has only beaten Clarkston once since 2010. It seems like that rival has been Oxford and that’s nothing against them, isn’t Lake Orion supposed to beat Oxford year in and out??? The Bronze Cup or the Double O Trophy should be staying in Lake Orion every year???
When did losing become acceptable???
Everyone within the program needs to be held accountable and should be held accountable, everyone, that includes even myself.
Something has to change.
Is this season salvageable??? Sure it is but they have a tough path ahead of them with West Bloomfield, Clarkston, Stoney Creek, Seaholm, and Saline looming. Saline and Clarkston at present are undefeated, West Bloomfield is extremely talented and has only one loss while Stoney Creek and Seaholm are proud strong tough programs.
Everyone needs to hit a complete reset and do some soul searching.
This program has clearly hit rock bottom but it can and will come back, the question is when and when it does, it’s going to take a lot of people and a lot of buy in for this program to clearly come back. Obviously this summer is going to be key but it really should start today, after the embarrassment and losing the Bronze Cup (Double O Trophy) to Oxford, hopefully that “Chip on the Shoulder” mindset should slowly start returning. Actions speak louder than words.
Blackstock talks about the ERO (Event Response Outcome), what is going to be, it will be up to everyone to decide what happens next for Lake Orion Football.
