Scouting the Opponents.

Written Thursday July 30th at 7:45 PM

When looking at the upcoming football season for the OAA, we'll go more into depth about the Week One opponents OAA teams face, this will not count the North Farmington/Pontiac, Farmington/Royal Oak, Adams/Stoney Creek, Groves/Seaholm match ups for the first week of the season because all of these teams are facing other OAA teams, so here they are.

Detroit Cass Tech (vs Southfield at Wayne State)

The Technicians are a team that has been in the State semifinals in the last four seasons. Detroit Cass Tech is no stranger to facing OAA teams, in 2010 and 2012 it was Orion, in 2011 it was Harrison, 2014 Oak Park, and 2013 Southfield. This will be a rematch of the game won by Detroit Cass Tech 18-14. The Technicians are 3-2 against the OAA since 2010 and will feature a strong junior class and at least 18 to 19 future college players like Donovan Peoples-Jones, Rodney Hall, Demetrice Vance, and Michael Owenau. This will be a tough match up for Southfield but knowing coach Tim Conley and his staff, they will be ready for this match up at Wayne State.

East Kentwood (at Harrison)

The Falcons last season had a magician run finishing at 11-2, losing to Clarkston in the State semifinals however the defending Ottawa Kent Red division champions will be young since they lost a lot of senior talent from that team. This will be the first ever meeting between these two teams. The Hawks are loaded especially on defense with Khalid Kareem at one end of the field. This is a perfect matchup for Harrison because the Falcons are young and lost a lot of talent. They would like to take out some of their anger after losing to Muskegon Mona Shores last season.

Dearborn (vs West Bloomfield)

The Pioneers struggled to make the playoffs last season after suffering an 0-2 start but they ended up finishing 6-4 last season. Dearborn played the Lakers and lost 35-13 at Wayne State and will have some experience coming back. West Bloomfield is loaded with talent but if there is one advantage the Pioneers have it will be up front and the game is in Wayne County. Dearborn is 5-6 vs the OAA currently but the Lakers will certainly give the Pioneers a tough test.

Macomb Dakota (vs Clarkston)

The Cougars are no stranger to the OAA and also success but they haven't made it out of the regional since their back to back State Championships in 2006 and 2007. Dakota and Clarkston have met four times in its history with the Wolves going 3-1 in that span. Clarkston won 24-21 at Clarkston last season on rout to another State Championship. Dakota is 7-6 vs the OAA in it's history. The Cougars have depth this season at all positions and the Wolves are replacing a lot of starters from the back to back State title runs. The game is at Dakota so it will be tough for Clarkston unless they can attack early.

Zeeland West (vs Oak Park at Grand Valley State)

The Dux has been successful the last two seasons with their high octane offense scoring near or over 600 points. Zeeland West has never went up against an OAA opponent but has went up against coach Greg Carter when he was at Inkster. Carter now coaches at Oak Park and has a very good defensive mind. His Inkster team beat the Dux 27-22 in 2008 and will be looking to carry his mastery of beating Zeeland West when his Knights go to Grand Valley State. If Oak Park can shut down the high octane offense the Dux has then they will be going home very happy.

Chippewa Valley (vs Orion at Wayne State)

The Big Reds surprised everyone last season with their run to the regional finals. They eliminated Macomb Dakota from the playoffs 28-27 which ended a 14 game losing streak against the Cougars. Chippewa Valley has 40 seniors coming back and is expected to compete for a State title. The Big Reds beat Orion 38-35 last season and is 2-6 against the OAA in it's history. This will be a tough matchup for the Dragons as said Chippewa Valley has 40 seniors back and a very good quarterback/wide receiver combo in Patrick Brigestool and Stephan Claboure. Also they will be playing with a heavy heart for the third time as Duncan Blair passed away in August. This one at Wayne State could be a shootout again.

Holly (at Berkley)

The Bronchos last season would like to forget what happened when they only scored 86 points. Their defense was awful allowing 240 points. Holly has not made the playoffs since 2011 has made some major changes including bringing in former Orion defensive coordinator Dave Tooley. Tooley is part of a major staff overall which should bring Holly back to respectability. The Bronchos are getting new helmets as they are going to a Michigan design. Holly was destroyed 34-7 last season by Berkley at home and now will have to visit Hurley Field. The Bronchos are 15-46-2 all time against the OAA in it's history. This game will have upset trap for the Bears as Holly has more experience despite the travel and also the coaching to have them succeed.

Romeo (vs Oxford)

The Bulldogs are no strangers to the OAA. Romeo last season lost to Lapeer in the playoffs and another of their losses was to Oxford 28-20 on the blue turf. The Bulldogs are 21-5 all time against the Wildcats and feature quarterback Paul Hurley. Hurley has done damage against OAA teams in the playoffs and in the regular season and will have the Wildcats on grass this season at Dan Baranbo Field. Oxford replaces some key peaces but they are tough and will certainly give Romeo all they can handle in that game.

New Boston Huron (at Avondale)

The Chiefs had a successful run last season at 11-2 before losing to Orchard Lake St Mary's in the State semifinals. Now they have to rebuild a bit for this season and it starts with a good Yellow Jackets team that might not have Travis Janes. New Boston Huron has played one OAA opponent in its history and it was Oak Park as the Knights won 12-6 in 1959. This will be an interesting matchup to say the least for coach Steve Deutch and his Yellow Jackets.

Garden City (at Ferndale and at Berkley Week Nine)

The Cougars took a step back last season finishing 3-6 after a 4-5 season in 2013. Garden City has not made the playoffs since 2011 and they do have a tough schedule this season which will feature Ferndale and Berkley. Ferndale will be the first OAA opponent for Garden City this season while Berkley will be the second OAA opponent, not to mention the Western Wayne Blue schedule. The Eagles were on the way up for coach Eric Lloyd, finishing 4-5. This game should be a low scoring affair as both teams are not bad defensively but the question will be is which offense will show up?

Detroit University Prep (at Lathrup)

This could be a tough matchup for the Chargers as they take on a good Panthers team that has made the playoffs the last three seasons, finished 6-4 last season but has not won a district title in Division Five. This will be the first OAA opponent for Detroit University Prep as they started play in 1996. Defensely the Panthers were good a season ago allowing 116 points, Lathrup will have it's hands full with a very good Detroit University Prep team.

L'Anse Creuse North (vs Troy Athens)

The Red Hawks are 6-21 since 2011 which included three straight 2-7 seasons but one of their wins last season was over the Crusaders. Macomb L'Anse Cruse North had to forfeit four wins from last season after ruling a transfer from Anchor Bay was ineligible but one of their five losses was to Troy Athens at Troy 34-31. It was a huge win at the time for the Red Hawks. The Crusaders are 0-3 all time against the OAA with one of those losses to Troy Athens and the other two were to Rochester. This season will be tough for the Red Hawks as Macomb L'Anse Creuse North will be motivated to not only get back at Troy Athens but also maybe the MHSAA after having their wins forfeited.

Sterling Heights Stevenson (at Troy)

In a game that would had been huge 20 years ago both the Colts and Titans have history against each other. Sterling Heights Stevenson is 19-8 all time against the OAA and beat Troy 7-3 on rout to the playoffs at 7-3 last season. The key in this game for the Colts is use their home field advantage and use it's defense. If Troy's offense can get going and shut down Sterling Heights Stevenson then the Colts could return the favor after last season's game at Runkel Field.

Lapeer (at Rochester)

The Lightning debuted in style last season destroying the Falcons 42-0 on rout to an undefeated season before losing to Clarkston in the district finals. Lapeer will be a very good football team once again this season and Rochester has struggled historically. This is a horrible matchup for the Falcons even though they are at home, it could be disastrous.

Walled Lake Northern (vs Bloomfield Hills)

The Knights are known for their offense and they are expected to be once again in the KLAA North. Walled Lake Northern's two playoff appearances they scored 400 points each but last season they didn't make the playoffs and scored 300 points. The Knights are 1-4 against the OAA in it's history. The Blackhawks defense has been generous to opposing offenses in the league and including last season when they allowed 34 points on rout to a 34-12 defeat. Bloomfield Hills returns eight starters but they must address their defense in a hostile environment in Walled Lake. They will have their hands full, we'll see if they are for real or not.

Warren Fitzgerald (vs Hazel Park)

The Spartans made the playoffs last season at 6-4 for the first time since 2010 but have struggled since. Warren Fitzgerald scored 283 points a season ago and might need to again this season. The Spartans and Vikings have no love loss for each other as Warren Fitzgerald is 15-19-2 against Hazel Park in football and these two teams are district rivals in other sports. Last season was Kyle Rowley's first season and his Vikings were no match for the Spartans as they were pounded 44-0. Hazel Park must run the football and slow the game down if it has any chance to beat Warren Fitzgerald in Macomb County this season.

Week Nine Games:

Livonia Franklin (at Royal Oak)

The Patriots have been falling from grace since their playoff run in 2010. The big problem has been their defense. Livonia Franklin is 31-35 vs the OAA but they have never faced Royal Oak, neither Kimball or Dondero or Royal Oak. The Ravens are 6-57 since 2008 and this could be a start to the Jim McMann era if they can close out the season with a win over the Patriots.

Waterford Kettering (at Avondale)

The Captains regressed a bit last season finishing 5-4 after making the playoffs in 2013 but they did take the Yellow Jackets out of the playoffs with a 63-20 beatdown in Waterford. Waterford Kettering was a one time member of the OAA and is 86-139-1 all time against the league. It will be an interesting test with Avondale and the Captains.

Ann Arbor Pioneer (at Groves)

The Pioneers have been a football rich tradition but have fallen on hard times recently since last making the playoffs in 2012. Ann Arbor Pioneer is 9-10 since. The Pioneers are 10-5 vs the OAA in it's school history. This will be a good test for the Falcons as their defense will be tested against an experienced Ann Arbor Pioneer team.

Detroit Consortium (at Ferndale)

The Cougars are a team that has regressed since the 2012 season when they made the playoffs. Detroit Consortium was 3-6 last season with a lot of questions heading into this season in the Metro Conference. The Eagles have been surging and this game could be a clincher for Ferndale to get into the playoffs. The Cougars have never faced an OAA opponent in its history so this should be interesting this season.

Flat Rock (at Hazel Park)

The Rams are a team that has not made the playoffs since 1990 and haven't won a game since 2012, which oddly is very similar to what the Vikings are going through in their two seasons. Flat Rock has not played an OAA opponent in it's history. This will be an interesting matchup between two teams looking to get a win in some sort of way.

Redford Union (vs Pontiac)

The Panthers have been a struggling football team in the past. They have not made the playoffs since 2006 and could struggle again this season. Redford Union was 2-16 in the last two seasons with their only win being a forfeit. The Panthers haven't faced an OAA opponent in its history and the Phoenix will be the first opponent. Pontiac is also a small school so this will be an interesting game between two teams that will struggle this season.

Westland John Glenn (vs Lathrup)

The Rockets were a playoff team the last two seasons and last season was no different. Westland John Glenn went into Lathrup Village and beat the Chargers 48-13 sending Lathrup to 4-5 which eliminated them from the playoffs. This will be the third meeting between the two teams as the Rockets are 2-0 against the Chargers. Westland John Glenn has done well against OAA teams in the past as they are 64-30-2 against the league. This game will be an interesting matchup to say the least.

Stay tuned to OAA Now as we will go more in depth surrounding the week one games.