Football Picks-Week Two.

Written Monday August 31st at 1:10 PM

 Games are Thursday and Friday this week.


Records:
  
Keith 18-2

Dan 14-6

Ant 13-7

Sammy 12-8

Sean 11-9

1. West Bloomfield at Troy:

This is what is supposed to be a bad mismatch on paper and disaster for Troy. The Lakers are more athletic and talented than the Colts. Troy is coming off a 34-3 loss to Sterling Heights Stevenson while West Bloomfield won 59-31 over Dearborn. I don’t know what the spread is in this matchup but this could be an ugly one.

SAMMY PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 49, TROY 0.

ANT PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 49, TROY 3.

KEITH PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 49, TROY 3.

DAN PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 28, TROY 7.

SEAN PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 49, TROY 10.

10. Troy Athens at 6. Orion:

This will be a heck of a game between two teams that need this game badly. The Red Hawks match the Dragons size up front and both quarterbacks are stout players in Caiden Prieskorn and Joey Stark. This game will come down to who is better in the linebackers and secondary. Orion should be motivated after losing a heartbreaker to Chippewa Valley 35-28. Troy Athens is hungry and almost came back from a 22-8 deficit only to lose 22-20 to Macomb L’Anse Creuse North. This game will be close and exciting.

SAMMY PICK: ORION 28, TROY ATHENS 21.

ANT PICK: ORION 35, TROY ATHENS 7.

KEITH PICK: ORION 42, TROY ATHENS 7.

DAN PICK: ORION 21, TROY ATHENS 14.

SEAN PICK: ORION 35, TROY ATHENS 21.

8. Clarkston at Bloomfield Hills:

The Blackhawks will open up its new field at its new school in this game against the defending State Champs. Clarkston lost 35-10 to Macomb Dakota but they didn’t have Nolan Eriksen. I don’t think they need Eriksen in this game. Bloomfield Hills was shutout 57-0 by Walled Lake Northern. I think the Wolves are in good shape to overcome this. They need Eriksen next week when they travel to West Bloomfield.

SAMMY PICK: CLARKSTON 28, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 21.

ANT PICK: CLARKSTON 42, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 7.

KEITH PICK: CLARKSTON 35, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 14.

DAN PICK: CLARKSTON 35, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 14.

SEAN PICK: CLARKSTON 42, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 0.

Oxford at 10. Stoney Creek:

The Cougars almost came back from a 28-7 deficit and was one yard short to tying the game but fell short 28-21 to Adams. The Wildcats were just embarrassed 47-0 by Romeo. Oxford moved their junior varsity quarterback to play cornerback on the varsity. Stoney Creek might have found their quarterback and wide receiver combination. This is an interesting matchup in which both teams need and remember the Cougars lost 7-0 to the Wildcats last season.

SAMMY PICK: STONEY CREEK 14, OXFORD 7.

ANT PICK: STONEY CREEK 21, OXFORD 7.

KEITH PICK: STONEY CREEK 21, OXFORD 6.

DAN PICK: STONEY CREEK 21, OXFORD 7.

SEAN PICK: STONEY CREEK 35, OXFORD 7.

2. Adams at 3. Southfield:

This is a huge matchup for both teams as both teams lost last week. The Blue Jays are reeling after being shutout 27-0 by Detroit Cass Tech last week. It was rare to see Southfield get shutout like that. The Highlanders almost gave away a 28-7 lead against Stoney Creek which left Tony Patrino fuming despite winning 28-21. Both teams are fuming after tough losses but this is a huge game for the Blue Jays, they can’t afford a 0-2 start even without their star running back Matt Falcon.

SAMMY PICK: SOUTHFIELD 21, ADAMS 20.

ANT PICK: SOUTHFIELD 24, ADAMS 21.

KEITH PICK: ADAMS 24, SOUTHFIELD 19.

DAN PICK: ADAMS 21, SOUTHFIELD 20.

SEAN PICK: SOUTHFIELD 21, ADAMS 14.

4. Oak Park at Farmington:

The Falcons have a lot to prove in this matchup and especially against the Knights. Farmington lost to Oak Park in the playoffs last season. Farmington was in the Blue that season and was against the fact that they were in the Blue to begin with. Now the Falcons are in the White which is much tougher than the Blue. The Knights played a tough Zeeland West team on the road while the Falcons had a mismatch but won 39-25 over Royal Oak. Farmington must play better if they have any chance at sending a message to Oak Park and the rest of the White.

SAMMY PICK: OAK PARK 38, FARMINGTON 7.

ANT PICK: OAK PARK 35, FARMINGTON 21

KEITH PICK: OAK PARK 26, FARMINGTON 15.

DAN PICK: OAK PARK 28, FARMINGTON 21.

SEAN PICK: OAK PARK 34, FARMINGTON 13.

7. Harrison at Rochester:

The Hawks lost a very similar way that Orion did to Chippewa Valley, they allowed a touchdown late in that game but this team can come back and recover quick as they always do. Harrison was down two touchdowns against East Kentwood and came back to tie it but lost 35-28 to the Falcons. The Blue Falcons were no chance for the Lapeer Lightning as they were blown out 48-0. This could be a long night for Rochester again.

SAMMY PICK: HARRISON 49, ROCHESTER 0.

ANT PICK: HARRISON 42, ROCHESTER 0.

KEITH PICK: HARRISON 37, ROCHESTER 10.

DAN PICK: HARRISON 35, ROCHESTER 7.

SEAN PICK: HARRISON 42, ROCHESTER 0.

North Farmington at Seaholm:

The Raiders are trying to create a winning culture in Farmington Hills. They destroyed Pontiac 38-0 last week but Seaholm is a much different team though than Pontiac though and it will show why. The Maples lost 24-8 to Groves last week. Seaholm has questions offensively and it’s something that could affect them the rest of the season. North Farmington is riding high right now.

SAMMY PICK: SEAHOLM 14, NORTH FARMINGTON 13.

ANT PICK: NORTH FARMINGTON 17, SEAHOLM 16.

KEITH PICK: SEAHOLM 21, NORTH FARMINGTON 20.

DAN PICK: NORTH FARMINGTON 21, SEAHOLM 14.

SEAN PICK:  NORTH FARMINGTON 21, SEAHOLM 14.

Ferndale at 5. Groves:

The Falcons are riding high after knocking off their arch rivals Seaholm on the road 24-8 last week and will host this week. The Eagles lost 36-22 to Garden City. Groves has more depth than Ferndale here This could be a close game like it was last season but at the end of the day it has to favor the Falcons.

SAMMY PICK: GROVES 35, FERNDALE 21.

ANT PICK: GROVES 28, FERNDALE 14.

KEITH PICK: GROVES 28, FERNDALE 10.

DAN PICK: GROVES 21, FERNDALE 7.

SEAN PICK: GROVES 42, FERNDALE 12.

Royal Oak at 9. Lathrup:

I call this game the Keith Stephens game because Lathrup is honoring its former coach after he passed away in November to cancer before the game. The Chargers got a huge win 21-6 last week over Detroit University Prep on the road. The Ravens lost 39-25 to Farmington but the 25 points is an encouraging sign that Coach Ray McMann has Royal Oak going in the right direction. This will be an interesting matchup.

SAMMY PICK: LATHRUP 24, ROYAL OAK 14.

ANT PICK: LATHRUP 35, ROYAL OAK 0.

KEITH PICK: LATHRUP 22, ROYAL OAK 20.

DAN PICK: LATHRUP 21, ROYAL OAK 0.

SEAN PICK: LATHRUP 28, ROYAL OAK 13.

Berkley at Pontiac:

The Bears have to be embarrassed after losing 29-7 to Holly at Hurley Field last week. Coach Chris Sikoria called his team out after that game. Now Berkley gets to travel to historic Wisner Stadium in which the Phoenix play. Pontiac was embarrassed by North Farmington 38-0. The Bears are a much better than Pontiac on paper but this could be a trap game if Berkley doesn’t come ready to play.

SAMMY PICK: BERKLEY 35, PONTIAC 12.

ANT PICK: BERKLEY 42, PONTIAC 14.

KEITH PICK: BERKLEY 35, PONTIAC 13.

DAN PICK: BERKLEY 21, PONTIAC 14.

SEAN PICK: BERKLEY 35, PONTIAC 0.

Avondale at Hazel Park:

The Yellow Jackets are the better team here in this matchup but both teams lost badly last week. Avondale lost at home to New Boston Huron 42-6 while Hazel Park lost 48-12 to Warren Fitzgerald. The Vikings need to bounce back but facing a Yellow Jackets team that they know well isn’t the best of ideas this week.

SAMMY PICK: AVONDALE 35, HAZEL PARK 12.

ANT PICK: AVONDALE 42, HAZEL PARK 7.

KEITH PICK: AVONDALE 35, HAZEL PARK 17.

DAN PICK: AVONDALE 28, HAZEL PARK 7.

SEAN PICK: AVONDALE 35, HAZEL PARK 6.

OAA Recap, Week One.

Written Saturday August 29th at 9:35 PM

INSIDE THE OAA TOP 10: WEEK II

1.  West Bloomfield

2.  Adams

3. Southfield

4. Oak Park

5. Groves

6. Orion

7. Harrison

8. Clarkston

9. Lathrup

T-10. Troy Athens

T-10. Stoney Creek

It was a rough weekend for the OAA. There were a lot of shockers, a lot of tough losses, and a lot of bad losses. The Red was rough going 1-7 this weekend. West Bloomfield was the only team that won. Orion lost a back and forth game. Troy Athens and Stoney Creek almost came back and won their games. Oxford and Bloomfield Hills lost by a combined score of 104-0 to their respective opponents. Clarkston didn’t have their best player and got routed. Troy was just outmatched in it's game. The Blue went 2-6 with Groves and Lathrup winning huge games. Berkley and Avondale lost blowout games. Hazel Park and Pontiac were crushed. Ferndale faded in the second half and couldn’t overcome their lack of depth. The White went 2-6 with Adams and North Farmington winning. Harrison lost a heartbreaker. Seaholm lost to their arch rival. Rochester got crushed. Southfield was also crushed in their game. Oak Park lost a competitive balanced game in Allendale. It was just a bad weekend for the OAA in games not against each other was an alarming 2-14 against teams in different leagues.

BIG WIN: Lathrup 21, Detroit University Prep 6: It was a horrible day for the league but at least there was a bright spot in Lathrup Village. The Chargers started its final season as a school with a huge win in Detroit over University Prep 21-6. Coach Jason Soloman had to be proud of his Lathrup team. This is a big statement to the Blue that the Chargers are for real and Keith Stephens is smiling from the best place in the house for these kids. Lathrup will host Royal Oak next week.

TOUGH LOSS: Macomb L’Anse Creuse North 22, Troy Athens 20: The Red Hawks trailed 22-8 at one point on Thursday night but they had a chance to tie the score late in the game but they couldn’t do it. Troy Athens did limit themselves defensibly allowing 22 points against a good Crusaders team but they have improved. They hope to take the next step when they go to Orion next week.

TEAM THAT NEEDS A HUG: Orion: The Dragons had a couple of things not go their way on Thursday night. There was a questionable fumble that cost them along with a late fumble after giving up a late touchdown in a 35-28 loss to Chippewa Valley. Orion had chances to win and pull it out but at the end of the day there can be one winner and one loser. The Dragons have a chance to bounce back next week at home against Troy Athens.

TEAM THAT NEEDS A HUG PART II: Harrison: Just like the Dragons the Hawks suffered a late in the game loss to East Kentwood 35-28. Harrison came back with its backup quarterback from a two touchdown deficit but it couldn’t stop the Falcons. The Hawks will now play Rochester next.

TEAM THAT NEEDS A HUG PART III: Stoney Creek: Brad Zube almost did it again to Tony Patrino and his Highlanders team. They were at the one yard line trying to tie the game up but couldn’t do so as a pass fell incomplete resulting in a turnover on downs. Adams would win 28-21 but the Cougars have a lot to be encouraged off, almost coming back from a 28-7 deficit. They have a big home game with Oxford on Friday.

WHAT HAPPENED??? Romeo 47, Oxford 0: For a team coming into the season with a lot of hope and optimism like the Wildcats have. This is not a good start to the Brendan Lewis era at Oxford. The Wildcats weren’t even competitive at Dan Barnabo Field as they were destroyed by the Bulldogs 47-0. Oxford is in deep trouble knowing that they have to go to Stoney Creek, Orion, Clarkston, and West Bloomfield.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? Walled Lake Northern 57, Bloomfield Hills 0: I don’t know what to say about the Blackhawks defense. I said in my preview show that Bloomfield Hills defense was going to be a huge problem, boy was I right. The Knights just destroyed the Blackhawks with no mercy, the defense was a disaster again and the offense couldn’t do anything against the Walled Lake Northern defense. The schedule doesn’t get any better for Bloomfield Hills as they have Clarkston on their new turf next and they are in a foul mood.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME???: New Boston Huron 42, Avondale 6: All the talk about the Yellow Jackets might have went down the drain on Thursday night. Avondale Coach Steve Deutsch toughen its schedule and scrimmage up only to see it backfire on them. The Chiefs exploded for 42 points against a good Avondale defense in Auburn Hills. So much for New Boston Huron losing all of those players, they must have a good pipeline.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? PART II: Detroit Cass Tech 27, Southfield 0: The Blue Jays were depleted with the loss of Matt Falcon but this was devastating to the mindset of the team. Maybe this wasn’t the best matchup for Southfield going up against an experienced Detroit Cass Tech team but to get shutout is unheard of in Blue Jays land. Southfield must pick up the pieces quickly because they got to play Adams next whom is steaming after losing to the Blue Jays last season in Rochester.

Last Week Scores:

Macomb Dakota 35, Clarkston 10

Chippewa Valley 35, Orion 28

Romeo 47, Oxford 0

Sterling Heights Stevenson 34, Troy 3

Macomb L’Anse Creuse North 22, Troy Athens 20

Walled Lake Northern 57, Bloomfield Hills 0

West Bloomfield 59, Dearborn 31

North Farmington 36, Pontiac 0

Holly 29, Berkley 7

Farmington 39, Royal Oak 25

New Boston Huron 42, Avondale 6

Lapeer 48, Rochester 0

Groves 24, Seaholm 8

East Kentwood 35, Harrison 28

Warren Fitzgerald 48, Hazel Park 12

Garden City 36, Ferndale 22

Adams 28, Stoney Creek 21

Lathrup 21, Detroit University Prep 6

Detroit Cass Tech 27, Southfield 0

Zeeland West 42, Oak Park 34

Red Standings:

West Bloomfield         0-0                   1-0

Orion                           0-0                   0-1

Troy Athens                 0-0                   0-1

Stoney Creek               0-0                   0-1

Clarkston                     0-0                   0-1

Troy                             0-0                   0-1

Oxford                         0-0                   0-1

Bloomfield Hills          0-0                   0-1

Blue Standings:

Groves                         0-0                   1-0

Lathrup                        0-0                   1-0

Royal Oak                    0-0                   0-1

Ferndale                      0-0                   0-1

Pontiac                        0-0                   0-1

Avondale                     0-0                   0-1

Hazel Park                   0-0                   0-1

Berkley                        0-0                   0-1

White Standings:

Adams                         0-0                   1-0

North Farmington       0-0                   1-0

Farmington                 0-0                   1-0

Oak Park                     0-0                   0-1

Southfield                    0-0                   0-1

Harrison                      0-0                   0-1

Seaholm                      0-0                   0-1

Rochester                    0-0                   0-1

We’ll see what happens this week in these games.