Around the OAA
Get to Know the OAA Football Non League Opponents in 2024.
Featured Writer: Sammy Taormina.
Written Friday August 2nd at 10:15 PM
Updated Monday August 5th at 5:05 PM
Here are the non league teams the OAA are facing this upcoming football season and a little about them.
Here they are.
Flint Beecher (Week One at Southfield Arts and Tech): These were two teams that were looking for a game and they found one. The Bucs are a very interesting team. Flint Beecher had made the postseason five straight years until missing out last season going 3-5. What’s interesting is the Bucs are 11-16 since 2021. It should be a very interesting matchup between two teams that are looking to find their own way heading into the season and it’s also Coach Curtis McKenzie’s first game with the Warriors.
Belleville (Week One vs Clarkston at Wayne State): The Tigers are coming off a really tough and disappointing 36-32 loss to Southfield Arts and Tech in the Division One State Finals last season. Belleville is upper classmen heavy this season. The Tigers are 2-3 against the OAA in it’s history. Belleville is one of the favorites in Division One to win it all because of that upper classmen experience. Clarkston will have their hands full with Belleville in week one in Detroit.
Northville: (Week One vs Lake Orion): The Mustangs had a really good season beating Novi Detroit Catholic Central in the district finals last season. Northville lost 14 starters last season but the Mustangs reload quite well and they have gone 18-5 in the last two years. Lake Orion had a really strong year last season but fell to Clarkston in the district finals. This should be a really interesting matchup of two teams that have a ton of questions heading into the season.
Livonia Stevenson (Week One vs North Farmington): These are two teams that are no strangers to each other in the Kensington Lakes Conference before North Farmington left for the OAA in 2002. The Spartans have really struggled as of late. They have gone 11-16 in the last three years. The Raiders have missed the postseason the last three years and have went 9-18. This should be a really interesting matchup of two teams that are looking to use that game as a stepping stone to having a much better season.
Macomb Dakota: (Week Nine at Oxford): The Cougars have one of the deepest teams this season and are favored to win the Macomb Area Red Division this season. Macomb Dakota has been a perinatal power for a long time making the postseason 22 straight years. The Wildcats aren’t afraid of anyone and playing this game proves that, this should be a really interesting game at Wildcat Stadium.
Romeo: (Week One vs Adams): This is shaping up to be a really interesting matchup between the Bulldogs and the Highlanders. Romeo has made the playoffs 19 straight years under Coach Kurt Rienas but they lost a ton of talent from last season but they seem to always find a way to reload. The coaching matchup is a good one between Highlanders coach Tony Patritto and Rienas. This should be a really interesting matchup at Dan Barnabo Field between Adams and Romeo.
Utica Eisenhower: (Week One vs Oxford, Week Nine at Clarkston): The Eagles have had strong classes go through Utica Eisenhower which has brought them a ton of success. They have to replace a ton of talent from last season and they have the Wildcats and a rematch with the Wolves which they won 36-19 at Swinehart last season. These two games should be really interesting to watch considering the Eagles have a really tough schedule this season.
Chippewa Valley: (Week One at West Bloomfield): This is a rematch of a classic 22-21 Lakers win over the Big Reds at Wayne State before the severe thunderstorms hit last season. Chippewa Valley has a new coach in Terrance Wilson taking over the program and they have made the postseason 11 straight years. It will be really interesting to see how he runs the program at Chippewa Valley. The Lakers are loaded everywhere with proven athletes, this should be a really interesting game in the Swamp.
New Baltimore Anchor Bay (Week Nine vs Adams): This is shaping up to be a really interesting game between two teams that run different styles. The coaching matchup between former Macomb Dakota and Warren DeLaSalle Coach Mike Giannone and Adams Coach Tony Patritto is also really interesting. The Tars have had battles with Stoney Creek the last two years losing by a combined two points (24-23 in 2022 and 21-20 last season. The Highlanders run the veer offense and has been really successful. This should be a really interesting game to say the least.
Madison Heights Lamphere (Week One at Ferndale, Week Nine vs Berkley): The Rams have become a consistent power in the Macomb Area Gold under Coach Roy Ostrowski. Madison Heights Lamphere is 30-10 since 2020 which is really good. The Rams have a ton of proven players coming back. They also beat Royal Oak by a combined 61-0 in the last two years. The last time Madison Heights Lamphere played Ferndale, the Eagles won both meetings by a combined 92-7 but that was before Ostrowski got to Madison Heights. This should be a really interesting matchup for the Eagles and Bears when they play the Rams.
Warren Cousino (Week One vs Stoney Creek): There are a ton of storylines with this game. The Patriots are 10-8 in the last two years making the postseason and it’s the home school of new Cougars coach Rick Powell. Stoney Creek has been up and down as of late but with Powell returning to his home school it’s going to be a really interesting matchup and this matchup was made before Powell became the new coach at Stoney Creek. This should be really interesting as mentioned.
Fraser: (Week One at Rochester, Week Nine vs Troy Athens): The Ramblers made their names known when they shocked Troy 20-19 keeping them out of the playoffs last season. Fraser is 5-13 in the last two years for Coach Jim Skladankowski. The Ramblers should be a really interesting team to watch this season especially the last two years. It should be a really interesting matchup for the Falcons and the Red Hawks when they play Fraser.
Utica Ford II: (Week Nine at Ferndale): This will be the first meeting between these two teams. The Falcons are 7-27 since 2020 which is something that Coach Mike Szalkiewicz wants to change. The Eagles have been up and down lately. Coach Eric Royal’s team are no strangers to playing Division One teams and Utica Ford II is one of them. It should be a interesting matchup between these two teams.
Clawson: (Week Nine vs Royal Oak): The Trojans have had a ton of success as of late. Clawson has made the postseason the last six years and has a 34-24 record since 2018. The Trojans have had a ton of balance for Coach Steve Haney but they need to shore up the defense if they want to make it seven straight years. It will be a tough matchup for Coach Collin Campbell and the Ravens.
Walled Lake Central: (Week One vs Berkley): This is a rematch of a 42-0 Vikings win last season at Hurley Field last season. Walled Lake Central is 10-44 since 2018 which is something Coach Jeff Pinard wants to fix and quick. The Bears went 0-9 last season and has a new coach in Casey Humes. This is a stepping stone game as Humes talked about on the podcast for both teams.
Walled Lake Northern: (Week Nine vs Rochester): This is a rematch of a 31-10 Falcons win at Rochester last season. Walled Lake Northern is 10-33 since 2019 which is something Coach Mark Brimmer wants to fix and quick. Rochester went 3-6 last season and will look to have a bounce back season for Coach Eric Vernon. This should be really interesting in Walled Lake to close the season.
South Lyon: (Week Six at Groves): It was a really off year for the Lions winning two games last season. South Lyon will look to bounce back this season. They will have a really tough matchup with Groves. The Lions have some experience coming back which helps. If the South Lyon of old comes back then it could be a really interesting matchup for Coach Brendan Flaherty’s team.
Macomb Lutheran North: (Week Three at Avondale): The Mustangs had a really successful year winning their first district crown and winning nine games last season and expectations are high for them this season. They have some of that experience coming back. Macomb Lutheran North is well coached under Coach Garrett Wenzelberger. This should be a really interesting matchup between two teams that have different styles but both coaches in Coach Bob Meyer and Wenzelberger know each other really well.
Jackson Northwest: (Week Six at Berkley): The Mounties have been up and coming as of late going 10-8 in the last two years. Jackson Northwest has been growing as a program under Coach Stafford Newsome. This game is being played on a Saturday at Hurley Field. It should be a really interesting matchup between two teams looking to make some noise this season.
Ann Arbor Huron: (Week Nine at Stoney Creek): The River Rats have made the postseason the last four years but they are 18-15 since 2020 which is around 500. Ann Arbor Huron scores a ton of points but they have allowed a bunch as well. It should be a really interesting matchup for Coach Rick Powell going up against a very inconsistent River Rats program that has been up and down as of late for Coach Jamonte Love.
Livonia Clarenceville: (Week Four vs Royal Oak): The Trojans have been really successful since then coach Bob Meyer turned the program around there. Livonia Clarenceville is 29-19 since 2019 but they missed the postseason last season. The defense was the problem for Coach Marty Castleton’s team all season, they allowed double figures in all but one game last season. The Trojans have the offense to compete with anyone, it’s going to be a tough matchup for the Ravens.
Cedar Springs: (Week One at Avondale) The Red Hawks are coming off a 4-5 season last year has 14 starters (six on offense and eight on defense) coming back for Coach Gus Kapolka. Cedar Springs has made the postseason eight of the last 10 years and looks to do so again this season. The Red Hawks make the trip to Auburn Hills in week one to face a Avondale team that is loaded with proven athletes. Both their programs are making the trip to Avondale which should be a really interesting matchup.
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep: (Week Four at Troy, Week Seven vs Ferndale): The Fighting Irish has become a proven powerhouse going 39-12 since 2019 with each of them being postseason appearances. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep has built their sub varsities and has been a proven power under Coach Pat Fox. The Fighting Irish lost a lot of proven experience last season but they always find a way to reload. This will be a really tough matchup for both the Colts and the Eagles.
Lapeer: (Week Seven at Oak Park): The Lightning have been a proven power in the Saginaw Valley League and is no stranger to the OAA. Lapeer hasn’t gone this far south in a while which they will do when they go to Knight Valley. The Lightning see arch rivals Davison and Grand Blanc in the Valley but they have a new coach in Anthony Merlo taking over the program. Merlo was the offensive coordinator last season at Stoney Creek. He knows the OAA quite well but so does Coach Greg Carter even though the lack of familiarity between the schools, the coaching staffs, not so much.
Saline: (Week Nine at Lake Orion): The Hornets are no strangers to success but they have always seem to run into Belleville sometime in the postseason. Saline has a ton of proven players coming back and several have Division One offers. The Hornets are coming off a tough 35-28 loss to Lake Orion last season and now have to make the return trip to Dragon Country. Saline had beaten the Dragons in two straight until last season. They have a new coach in Kyle Short taking over the program. This should be a really interesting matchup to say the least between two proven programs.
Holly: (Week Two at Farmington): The Bronchos are well coached under former Berkley and Troy Athens coach Billy Keenest and also former Lake Orion defensive coordinator Dave Tooley is also there as well. Holly has been into the postseason the last two years and they are always prepared for anyone. They fell to Avondale in the first round last season. The Bronchos are going to be a tough matchup for the Falcons that is for sure.
Dearborn Divine Child: (Week Two at Bloomfield Hills): The Falcons have been a very successful program going 15-8 in the last two years. Dearborn Divine Child has a ton of proven experience as well coming back for Coach Chris Laney. This is going to be a really tough matchup for Coach Dan Loria and the Blackhawks.
Dearborn Heights Crestwood: (Week Nine vs Farmington): The Chargers have had a ton of success going 22-14 since 2020 but missed out on the postseason after two losses to Carleton Airport and Dearborn Heights Robiachud. Dearborn Heights Crestwood has a ton of proven experience coming back and are well coached under Coach Mike Grucz. This should be a really tough game for the Falcons in week nine.
Redford Union: (Week One at Harper Woods): The Panthers have had a ton of success with a ton of proven experience coming back for Coach Ian Iler. Redford Union is 37-12 since 2019. They have a ton of proven athletes as mentioned coming back and the success they have had this summer. This will be a early season test for Coach Rob Oden and the Pioneers.
Carleton Airport: (Week Nine at Avondale): The Jets are no strangers to the OAA having played Harper Woods in the regional finals last season. Carleton Airport is a much different team losing a ton of proven experience (19 seniors from last season.) They have a new coach as Derek Anderson takes over the reigns. Anderson was the defensive coordinator last season. It is unknown what the Jets will have this season but they could surprise some people.
Novi Detroit Catholic Central: (Week Three vs Harper Woods): The Shamrocks play in the always tough Catholic League. They are a proven powerhouse in Oakland County and have been in the postseason most years. Novi Detroit Catholic Central is a team that is loaded again and will look to get to the postseason again this season. This is a huge opportunity for the Pioneers like they did last season when they won the Division Four State crown. A win in this game means big momentum booster for Coach Rob Oden and Harper Woods but it’s going to be a tough one.
Detroit East English Village Prep: (Week Nine at Harper Woods): The Bulldogs are coming off a postseason appearance despite finishing at 500. They are 10-17 in the last three years. Detroit East English Village Prep finished at 1-5 and allowed 263 points in that stretch (43.8 ppg.) This is going to be a really tough matchup for Detroit East English Village Prep despite the close proximity, this does not bold well for the Bulldogs going up against the defending Division Four State Champs.
Detroit Fredrick Douglass: (Week One at Pontiac): The Hurricanes have really struggled going 13-79 since 2013. The Phoenix have had their fair share of struggles but rebounded to win three games under second year coach Wendell Jefferson. This should be a really interesting matchup of two teams that are looking at this game as a stepping stone game.
Detroit Lincoln King Academy: (Week One at Royal Oak, Week Nine vs Pontiac): The Wolves saw a ton of progress winning three games last season. Detroit Lincoln King Academy had a crazy game with Pontiac falling 44-42 in overtime. The defense is still the issue for the Wolves heading into this season but they are a team that is on the rise. Forgot to mention they outscored Memphis and Hamtramck by a combined 80-13 in their final two games last season. It will not be an easy game for the Ravens or the Phoenix.
Detroit Renaissance: (Week Nine vs Southfield Arts and Tech): The Phoenix have been up and down as a program. They are 13-21 since 2020 and are no strangers to playing OAA teams (Adams and Rochester.) Detroit Renaissance fell 41-14 to the Warriors last season but Southfield Arts and Tech has a new coaching staff and virtually a new team heading into the season. It should be a really interesting matchup to watch in Detroit between these two teams in week nine.