Top Five Games: By Sammy Taormina

by Becky Andrus | Nov 2, 2020 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Top Five Games:

 By Sammy Taormina

Chippewa Valley at Stoney Creek: This is going to be the Cougars biggest challenge of the season when they host Chippewa Valley on Friday night. The Big Reds come into this game riding a ton of confidence after coming back from 14-0 down to beat a very good Utica Eisenhower squad 21-14. They have a ton of experience led by quarterback Ryan Schuester along with running back Ryan Hawkins and top wide receiver Cephas Harris. Also Chippewa Valley is well coached under Coach Scott Merchant. Stoney Creek features their fair share of experience as well in quarterback Ryan Echout, running back Cam Buford, and running back Jon Fogler. They too have a proven coach in Nick Merlo. This is a perfect opportunity for the Cougars to show that they mean business especially against a proven MAC Red opponent like Chippewa Valley.

Groves at Seaholm: This is the Battle of Birmingham Part II. Think of what Caleb Knoer did against Jaden Mangham a few weeks ago stripping him of the football in the endzone in a 21-21 game in the fourth quarter and forcing a touchback. The next drive the Maples scored and earned a 35-28 victory over the Falcons in Beverly Hills on one pass attempt no less. Groves has long been waiting for revenge against Seaholm. The Maples have won the last two in this rivalry. It’s going to be very interesting in the Maple Forest.

Oak Park at Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit: The Knights picked up their first win of the season going into Grosse Pointe South and stunning the Blue Devils 35-27 last week. I think the return of ReShawn Benny has been huge for Coach Greg Carter’s team along with the improved play of quarterback James Burnley. Oak Park has played a brutal schedule playing the likes of West Bloomfield, Clarkston, Lake Orion, Southfield Arts and Tech, Oxford, and Groves and to do that against a MAC Red team in Grosse Pointe South is a statement. Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit does have some athletes as well and they played Lake Orion tough losing 7-6 in week three. The Cubs beat Grosse Pointe North 28-14 last week in Grosse Pointe. It’s shaping up to be a very interesting game between two schools that know each other well.

Grand Blanc at Clarkston: The Wolves have been rolling all season long but they were tested last week by Oxford and their time possession game. Clarkston had to survive 21-7 last week. Grand Blanc needed a double reverse, a fake punt for a touchdown, and a bad snap to earn a 28-14 victory over Lake Orion last week. The Bobcats have a prolific offense of balance and speed. The Wolves are huge up front and can beat you in different ways. Clarkston’s pass defense should be tested in this game.

Southfield Arts and Tech at Sterling Heights Stevenson: I wonder how the latest episode of “The MAC Attack with Zach and Zack” is going to feel about how Oak Park stunned Grosse Pointe South. Could it happen again with another OAA Red team beating another MAC Red team on the road??? It’s possible. The Titans have playoff experience but the Warriors have been a Jekyll and Hyde team. Southfield Arts and Tech has athletes like quarterback Isiah Marshall, running back RaeQuan Lee, wide receivers Jeff Bowens and Robert Army. Sterling Heights Stevenson has size up front and proven playmakers. With what happened to Grosse Pointe South the Titans needs to be on upset alert. Southfield Arts and Tech should come into this game playing with nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Football Playoff Matchups are Officially Set

by Becky Andrus | Oct 26, 2020 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Top Five Games: By Sammy Taormina

by Becky Andrus | Oct 26, 2020 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Top Five Games: By Sammy Taormina

Royal Oak at Berkley: I remember chatting with Berkley coach Sean Shields about how his team gears up to play Royal Oak. They did not play each other in the regular season due to COVID but they will get that chance to play each other. The Bears have had a great season but two straight losses to close out the season hurts. The Ravens have struggled but they played better against Fraser last week. Royal Oak has won the last two meetings over Berkley by a combined 54-7. This is shaping up to be a very interesting game. I wonder if “The Curb” is on the line in this game???

Adams at Rochester: The Falcons have had a great season, first league title and undefeated season since 1993. Rochester will have a chance to snap another painful streak when they host Adams. The Falcons haven’t beaten the Highlanders since 1996. Adams has had a tough season but they are still Adams. The Highlanders have played a much tougher schedule than Rochester. I wonder how Falcons alumni’s Dan Strickradt and Keith Dunlap are feeling right now seeing what is happening with Rochester. This is shaping up to be a very good game, could this be history in the making???

Groves at Avondale: The Yellow Jackets sent a huge statement by blowing out Bloomfield Hills 37-9 on Friday night. Avondale earned themselves a home game with Groves on Friday night at Dick Bye Field. The Falcons were blown out 40-14 by Stoney Creek last week sending them to 3-3. Groves has played a much tougher schedule but the Yellow Jackets have been red hot in the last three weeks. There should be plenty of athleticism on display in Auburn Hills.

Waterford Kettering at North Farmington: This is a very interesting matchup between the Raiders and Captains. Both coaches know each other real well from their college days in Ken Schmidt and Jon Herstein. Waterford Kettering is a resilient group which included a comeback over arch rival Waterford Mott beating them for the second straight season 34-26. North Farmington forfeited their game with Seaholm last week because of a power outage. The Captains and the Raiders were supposed to play in week one but due to COVID that did not happen. North Farmington won 35-30 at home over Waterford Kettering last season but the Captains almost came back and won that game. Waterford Kettering has something to prove. This is a very dangerous game for the Raiders.

Lake Orion at Grand Blanc: The Bobcats have been rolling in the Saginaw Valley and they picked up a huge win over Saline 14-13 last week. Grand Blanc has had a history of collapsing in the playoffs typically against OAA schools or Davison or Lapeer. The Bobcats have a very good quarterback in Ty Brotebeck and a very good running back in Elijah Jackson-Anderson. The defense has had a great year as well. Grand Blanc wants to prove to everyone that they belong which is their chip. The Dragons have played tougher competition than Grand Blanc. They have struggled offensively this season against very good teams but the defense is stout. Lake Orion has lost to two top ten state ranked teams in Clarkston and West Bloomfield. They remind me a lot of Utica Eisenhower, no offense but a stout defense. This game should be a low scoring defensive game. The coaching matchup is very interesting between Coach Clint Alexander and John Blackstock. This is shaping up to be an interesting game as mentioned.