OAA Picks Week One.

Written Thursday August 18th at 10:10 PM

Welcome to the 2016 OAA Football season. This season we have a new member in State Champs and MIPrepzone’s Scott Burnstein. Burnstein will join Anthony Taormina- host of History Now and Between Taorminas, Keith Dunlap-former MIPrepzone coordinator, Dan Stickradt of North Oakland Sports and Stickradt Media Group, Sean Cotter-Farmington Football video coordinator, and myself.

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Detroit Martin Luther King vs 1. Southfield A&T @ Wayne State:

In what will be an interesting matchup between these two teams, the new Southfield Arts and Tech will play their first game as one school. The Warriors will have an experienced team back combined of both students from Southfield and Southfield-Lathrup to go against the defending Division Two State Champs. Detroit Martin Luther King lost head coach Dale Harvel last month after he passed away unexpectedly. Tyrone Spencer has taken his place as the head man for the Crusaders. Detroit Martin Luther King will be pumped up but it will be Southfield A&T that will win Week One.

SAMMY PICK: SOUTHFIELD A&T 28, DETROIT MARTIN LUTHER KING 16.

ANT PICK: SOUTHFIELD A&T 35, DETROIT MARTIN LUTHER KING 21.

KEITH PICK: SOUTHFIELD A&T 21, DETROIT MARTIN LUTHER KING 20.

DAN PICK: SOUTHFIELD A&T 21, DETROIT MARTIN LUTHER KING 20.

SEAN PICK: SOUTHFIELD A&T 20, DETROIT MARTIN LUTHER KING 14.

BURNEY PICK: SOUTHFIELD A&T 28, DETROIT MARTIN LUTHER KING 21.

Detroit Cass Tech vs 2. Oak Park @ Wayne State:

The Technicians have gotten a ton of hype and national attention with all the talent they have back in Rodney Hall, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and Jaylen Kelly-Powell. Detroit Cass Tech would like to get back to the Division One State title game after losing to Romeo last season. The Knights haven’t gotten much attention but they have JayRamond Hall whom is going to Michigan, Dylan Stackhouse, and Belleville transfer Dwan Mathis. Oak Park coach Greg Carter loves playing these type of games to get themselves better. Oak Park lost 27-26 to Detroit Cass Tech in 2013. They would like to get some revenge from losing that game and would like to make a statement at the Technicians expense. Detroit Cass Tech wants to make a statement at the Knights expense. This will probably be the best game in the State.

SAMMY PICK: OAK PARK 28, DETROIT CASS TECH 27.

ANT PICK: DETROIT CASS TECH 28, OAK PARK 24.

KEITH PICK: DETROIT CASS TECH 18, OAK PARK 12.

DAN PICK: DETROIT CASS TECH 28, OAK PARK 21.

SEAN PICK: DETROIT CASS TECH 34, OAK PARK 22.

BURNEY PICK: DETROIT CASS TECH 24, OAK PARK 20.

East Kentwood vs 3. Harrison @ Michigan:

This is a rematch of last season’s 35-28 game between the Hawks and Falcons in Farmington Hills but both teams will be different in 2016. East Kentwood will have a solid quarterback, led by Evan Maday along with running backs Ansel Jefferies, Andre Welch, and lineman Turner Roby. The Falcons play in the always tough Ottawa Kent Conference. They are in the Red division with Rockford, Hudsonville, and Holland West Ottawa. Harrison has their fair share of top notch athletes as well that will match East Kentwood in Notre Dame bound Ovie Oghufo, linebacker Guam Lee, and quarterback Jimmy O’ Connor. Expect this game to by high scoring over in the Big House.

SAMMY PICK: HARRISON 20, EAST KENTWOOD 17.

ANT PICK: EAST KENTWOOD 24, HARRISON 23.

KEITH PICK: HARRISON 17, EAST KENTWOOD 10.

DAN PICK: HARRISON 24, EAST KENTWOOD 21.

SEAN PICK: HARRISON 28, EAST KENTWOOD 21.

BURNEY PICK: EAST KENTWOOD 31, HARRISON 23.

Lapeer vs 4. Clarkston @ Michigan:

The Lightning is 20-2 since merging Lapeer East and Lapeer West. They have not lost a regular season game in school history. Lapeer has made the playoffs the last two seasons and is expected to win the Saginaw Valley Red Division for a third straight season. However, one of those losses occurred in the 2014 playoffs where the Lightning lost 23-20 to Clarkston in the district finals. The Wolves went onto win the State title in Division One that season. Clarkston and Lapeer will meet in the Big House and expect this one to be physical and nasty. Two solid teams going at it.

SAMMY PICK: CLARKSTON 21, LAPEER 18.

ANT PICK: CLARKSTON 28, LAPEER 14.

KEITH PICK: LAPEER 27, CLARKSTON 20.

DAN PICK: CLARKSTON 28, LAPEER 21.

SEAN PICK: CLARKSTON 28, LAPEER 26.

BURNEY PICK: CLARKSTON 27, LAPEER 26

5. Berkley at Holly:

The Bears and Bronchos have developed a strong rivalry as of late with the road teams winning both meetings. Berkley won the first meeting at Holly 34-7 in 2014. It would lead to a coordinator change on both sides of the football at Holly and especially on defense with Dave Tooley coming into the fold as defensive coordinator. His defense would shut the Bears down at Hurley Field winning 25-7. This will be the rubber match in northwestern Oakland County. It will also be Berkley’s first game on grass since the 2014 meeting with Holly.

SAMMY PICK: HOLLY 17, BERKLEY 14.

ANT PICK: HOLLY 21, BERKLEY 17.

KEITH PICK: HOLLY 17, BERKLEY 14.

DAN PICK: BERKLEY 28, HOLLY 14.

SEAN PICK: HOLLY 28, BERKLEY 27.

BURNEY PICK: BERKLEY 30, HOLLY 28.

9. Groves at 6. West Bloomfield:

This will be an interesting game between the Lakers and Falcons. Both teams are going up in the right direction. Groves moved up a division and returns a ton of experience while West Bloomfield lost 29 seniors but have their fair share of athletes as well. This looks to be a battle between Ernest Allen and Davion Johnson. The key will be being which running back will control the game, if they do then their team will win.

SAMMY PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 28, GROVES 20.

ANT PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 27, GROVES 7.

KEITH PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 23, GROVES 20.

DAN PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 17, GROVES 14.

SEAN PICK: GROVES 28, WEST BLOOMFIELD 21.

BURNEY PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 22, GROVES 20.

Warren Mott at 7. Troy Athens:

The Red Hawks/Marauders rivalry is interesting since coaches Josh Heppner and Tom Milanov know each other quite well from their days in Macomb County. Troy Athens hasn’t fared well against Warren Mott getting outscored 88-13 in the last two meetings. The Marauders return quarterback Mike Pond for his senior season. Pond was huge in their 33-27 upset of Macomb Dakota a season ago. Both teams have experienced offensive lines and great skill players. It will come down to the quarterback battle between Pond and fellow senior quarterback Joey Stark. Who ever wins the quarterback battle wins the game.

SAMMY PICK: TROY ATHENS 28, WARREN MOTT 21.

ANT PICK: TROY ATHENS 14, WARREN MOTT 3.

KEITH PICK: TROY ATHENS 16, WARREN MOTT 13.

DAN PICK: TROY ATHENS 41, WARREN MOTT 14.

SEAN PICK: TROY ATHENS 38, WARREN MOTT 35.

BURNEY PICK: WARREN MOTT 26, TROY ATHENS 23.

8. Adams at Rochester:

The Highlanders have really underachieved lately, going 9-9 in the last two seasons but one thing that hasn’t changed for Adams and that’s the dominance of their crosstown rival Rochester. The Falcons haven’t beaten the Highlanders since 1996. Adams hopes to continue that trend going forward while Rochester though experienced with 25 seniors and 17 starters will look to get the program back to prominence after going 2-16 the last two seasons. This will be an interesting Crosstown game despite this will be the only game at Rochester High School this season. I think this will come down to the wire, I expect the Falcons to be very inspired but got to go with experience and that favors the Highlanders but close. Remember Adams lost in 2013 to Stoney Creek first game of the season, can Rochester do the same???

SAMMY PICK: ADAMS 17, ROCHESTER 14.

ANT PICK: ADAMS 38, ROCHESTER 35.

KEITH PICK: ADAMS 27, ROCHESTER 21.

DAN PICK: ROCHESTER 21, ADAMS 20.

SEAN PICK: ADAMS 42, ROCHESTER 7.

BURNEY PICK: ADAMS 29, ROCHESTER 17.

10. Royal Oak at St. Clair Shores Lakeview:

This could be the perfect opportunity for the improved Ravens to make a statement in week one against a Huskies team that has went 4-14 in the last two seasons. Royal Oak however has lost three of their last four games heading into the new season. The Ravens have an opportunity to expose a defense that was poorest at best, allowing 264 points last season and 296 points in 2014. Gone is the 6-57 talk, got to like where coach Ray McMann is taking this team and it will be interesting how they do in Macomb County.

SAMMY PICK: ROYAL OAK 45, ST. CLAIR SHORES LAKEVIEW 7.

ANT PICK: ROYAL OAK 35, ST. CLAIR SHORES LAKEVIEW 16.

KEITH PICK: ROYAL OAK 14, ST. CLAIR SHORES LAKEVIEW 13.

DAN PICK: ROYAL OAK 17, ST. CLAIR SHORES LAKEVIEW 7.

SEAN PICK: ROYAL OAK 28, ST. CLAIR SHORES LAKEVIEW 12.

BURNEY PICK: ROYAL OAK 25, ST. CLAIR SHORES LAKEVIEW 24.

Birmingham Brother Rice at Seaholm:

Seaholm coach Jim DeWald made it clear on Media Day and also in my interview with him that he wants to beat Birmingham Brother Rice in the Maple Forest this season. The Maples will be tested by the Warriors whom unusually finished 2-7 last season, something that’s not common for a Birmingham Brother Rice football team. The Warriors returns tight end and Michigan recruit Carter Dunaway, wide receiver Matt Jordan, running back Marcelles Gaines, and quarterback Marino Valenti.  Line play is a question for Birmingham Brother Rice despite having Missouri recruit Larry Borum. Seaholm will have a solid offense back led by quarterback Gary Kinnie but it’s whomever defense holds up will win this game.

SAMMY PICK: BIRMINGHAM BROTHER RICE 21, SEAHOLM 10.

ANT PICK: SEAHOLM 24, BIRMINGHAM BROTHER RICE 21.

KEITH PICK: BIRMINGHAM BROTHER RICE 20, SEAHOLM 17.

DAN PICK: BIRMINGHAM BROTHER RICE 28, SEAHOLM 14.

SEAN PICK: BIRMINGHAM BROTHER RICE 28, SEAHOLM 7.

BURNEY PICK: BIRMINGHAM BROTHER RICE 31, SEAHOLM 17.

Chippewa Valley vs Orion @ Wayne State:

The Big Reds and Dragons have gone to the final possession the last two meetings, both were won by Chippewa Valley 38-35 in 2014 and 35-28 in 2015. Orion has missed the playoffs each of the last two seasons going 8-10 in that span. The Big Reds have a young team coming into the season after losing a ton of experience after a shocking double overtime playoff exit to Utica Eisenhower. Chippewa Valley only returns five players that saw a ton of playing time, some of them include running back and defensive back Darian Greeley and offensive tackle Dom Taegel. The Dragons are a very unproven team especially at the secondary and defensive line. This will be an interesting matchup between two teams that need a strong start at Wayne State.

SAMMY PICK: ORION 27, CHIPPEWA VALLEY 14.

ANT PICK: ORION 35, CHIPPEWA VALLEY 7.

KEITH PICK: CHIPPEWA VALLEY 31, ORION 21.

DAN PICK: ORION 24, CHIPPEWA VALLEY 17.

SEAN PICK: ORION 28, CHIPPEWA VALLEY 24.

BURNEY PICK: CHIPPEWA VALLEY 28, ORION 21.

Stoney Creek at Bloomfield Hills:

This is the game that coach Dan Loria would like to make a statement against a very solid Cougars team whom is bringing in their new head coach in legendary Bob Lantzy. Lantzy, whom is the eighth winniest coach all time in State history will be back for his 42^nd season as head coach but at a different school in Stoney Creek and not at Utica Eisenhower. The Cougars have a very good quarterback in Frank Potenzia and tight end Brady Campbell. Bloomfield Hills has gotten a ton of hype with their athletes, especially on offense but the Blackhawks defense and line is a major question mark heading into this game. Stoney Creek must address their defense which should be tested in this game on the road. This is a must win game for both teams, the Cougars being in the Red while the Blackhawks have that tough October to look forward too.

SAMMY PICK: STONEY CREEK 21, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 7.

ANT PICK: STONEY CREEK 28, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 3.

KEITH PICK: STONEY CREEK 28, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 21.

DAN PICK: STONEY CREEK 27, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 14.

SEAN PICK: STONEY CREEK 35, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 14.

BURNEY PICK: STONEY CREEK 23, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 14.

Detroit Old Redford at Pontiac:

This will be the first game for coach John Thompson as coach of the Phoenix. Thompson coached at Detroit Central, a team that made the playoffs last season but he left Detroit Central and takes over a Pontiac team that has went 2-33 since 2011. He will have a challenge against the Ravens from Detroit Old Redford. This is the first meeting between the two teams but this should be a team Thompson knows well from his days coaching in Detroit. The Ravens will provide a stiff test to the Phoenix at Wisner Stadium.

SAMMY PICK: PONTIAC 21, DETROIT OLD REDFORD 17.

ANT PICK: PONTIAC 30, DETROIT OLD REDFORD 3.

KEITH PICK: DETROIT OLD REDFORD 24, PONTIAC 0.

DAN PICK: DETROIT OLD REDFORD 20, PONTIAC 14.

SEAN PICK: DETROIT OLD REDFORD 28, PONTIAC 22.

BURNEY PICK: DETROIT OLD REDFORD 24, PONTIAC 14.

Troy at Walled Lake Central:

The Colts had a rough 2015, giving up tons of points and not scoring a ton as well last season. They have seen players transfer out of Troy or not come out for the team. The Colts have a ton of experience back from last season, including a heavy junior class. They will need that experience against a Vikings team whom loves to run the veer offense and could be a sleeper in the KLAA North in its final season in the league. Expect Walled Lake Central to give Troy a ton of problems. This could get ugly for the Colts in Walled Lake.

SAMMY PICK: WALLED LAKE CENTRAL 42, TROY 7.

ANT PICK: WALLED LAKE CENTRAL 21, TROY 3.

KEITH PICK: WALLED LAKE CENTRAL 21, TROY 3.

DAN PICK: WALLED LAKE CENTRAL 21, TROY 14.

SEAN PICK: WALLED LAKE CENTRAL 35, TROY 6.

BURNEY PICK: WALLED LAKE CENTRAL 28, TROY 15.

North Farmington at Walled Lake Northern:

This will be the second meeting between the Raiders and the Knights with North Farmington winning 35-15 in 2003 but these teams are different now. The Raiders will need to use the team chemistry thing once again this season North Farmington finished 5-4 last season and barely missed the playoffs. The Raiders return some key offensive talent including Adam Dunning and Quran Rosier but they will have an untested quarterback in Brendan Hudson. Walled Lake Northern has a potent spread attack which will give anyone problems. North Farmington would love to keep the score low and use their running game to all strength. Another thing that favors the Knights will be depth, the Raiders are so low in numbers and a lot of them go two ways. Walled Lake Northern is expected to be in the mix in the KLAA North in its final season in the league. This will be a tough matchup for North Farmington.

SAMMY PICK: WALLED LAKE NORTHERN 56, NORTH FARMINGTON 7.

ANT PICK: WALLED LAKE NORTHERN 49, NORTH FARMINGTON 14.

KEITH PICK: WALLED LAKE NORTHERN 42, NORTH FARMINGTON 14.

DAN PICK: WALLED LAKE NORTHERN 21, NORTH FARMINGTON 14.

SEAN PICK: WALLED LAKE NORTHERN 43, NORTH FARMINGTON 13.

BURNEY PICK: WALLED LAKE NORTHERN 21, NORTH FARMINGTON 20.

Walled Lake Western vs Farmington @ Michigan:

This is a 2012 playoff rematch after the Warriors beat the Falcons 31-28 in the pre-district but these two teams will likely be on different paths in 2016. Walled Lake Western has a serious chance of not only winning the KLAA North in its final season in the league but also winning the Division Two State title. Farmington is expected to struggle this season as they are replacing a ton of talent from a team that barely made the playoffs last season. The Warriors will be led by Michigan State bound wide receiver Cody White, Purdue bound offensive lineman Ron Hudson, and Birmingham Brother Rice transfer John Tracy. This has total mismatch all over it here in the Big House.

SAMMY PICK: WALLED LAKE WESTERN 70, FARMINGTON 0.

ANT PICK: WALLED LAKE WESTERN 49, FARMINGTON 0.

KEITH PICK: WALLED LAKE WESTERN 37, FARMINGTON 10.

DAN PICK: WALLED LAKE WESTERN 35, FARMINGTON 28.

SEAN PICK: WALLED LAKE WESTERN 49, FARMINGTON 14.

BURNEY PICK: WALLED LAKE WESTERN 36, FARMINGTON 18.

Warren Fitzgerald at Hazel Park:

The Battle of Nine Mile is here as the east side of Nine Mile meets the west side of Nine Mile. Hazel Park is 18-11 all-time against Warren Fitzgerald but the rivalry has been one sided as of late in favor of the team from the east side of Nine Mile. The Spartans have outscored the Vikings 92-12 in the last two meetings. Warren Fitzgerald in the last two seasons has been solid. They have gone 12-6 in that span and making the playoffs as well. Hazel Park meanwhile has not had the success that the Spartans have had. The Vikings are 1-26 since 2013, something that coach Kyle Rowley wants to change very badly. Warren Fitzgerald will have a solid running back in Najon Moore, an experienced offensive line, and wide receiver Bryan Gordon but the passing game is a question for the Spartans. Hazel Park is a different team as well with Dallas Cleary coming over from Orion and brings a ton of experience. The Vikings have a lot more to prove in this one than Warren Fitzgerald. I think this game comes down to who has the football last.

SAMMY PICK: WARREN FITZGERALD 35, HAZEL PARK 31.

ANT PICK: WARREN FITZGERALD 24, HAZEL PARK 22.

KEITH PICK: WARREN FITZGERALD 31, HAZEL PARK 13.

DAN PICK: HAZEL PARK 20, WARREN FITZGERALD 13.

SEAN PICK: WARREN FITZGERALD 35, HAZEL PARK 12.

BURNEY PICK: WARREN FITZGERALD 33, HAZEL PARK 15.

Ferndale at Madison Heights Lamphere:

Ferndale has had a ton of down seasons as of late and is looking to turn the corner and get a winning season in 2016. The Eagles are 22-41 since 2009 and haven’t made the playoffs since 2008. Ferndale will have some experience led by fullback Kobie Davis and running back Zoser Little, along with an experienced offensive line with three, three-year starters back. Also they added players from Ferndale University as part of the new MHSAA co-op program that was set up this season, in which they were approved to merge players from different schools that are within their own school district. There are questions at quarterback and wide receiver for the Eagles but Royal will have depth now with the new co-op program with Ferndale University. Ferndale will go up against a Rams team that really struggled last season but they are 4-0 against them all time. Both teams finished 2-7 last season, so this game will be very important in Madison Heights. Whomever wins this game will get their season off to a good start.

SAMMY PICK: MADISON HEIGHTS LAMPHERE 35, FERNDALE 14.

ANT PICK: MADISON HEIGHTS LAMPHERE 30, FERNDALE 12.

KEITH PICK: FERNDALE 16, MADISON HEIGHTS LAMPHERE 14.

DAN PICK: FERNDALE 20, MADISON HEIGHTS LAMPHERE 10.

SEAN PICK: MADISION HEIGHTS LAMPHERE 28, FERNDALE 6.

BURNEY PICK: FERNDALE 22, MADISON HEIGHTS LAMPHERE 18.

Avondale at New Boston Huron:

New Yellow Jackets coach Ed Coutrier will have his hands full taking over the Avondale program that has been 14-13 since 2012 and has gone through three different coaches in a summer with Steve Deutsch, then LaManzer Williams, and now Coutrier. This game was originally scheduled under then coach Deutsch as part of a two year home and home series. He wanted to toughen up the Yellow Jackets schedule and test them. The first meeting was not kind to Avondale as the Chiefs went into Auburn Hills blew the Yellow Jackets out 49-6 last season. New Boston Huron would finish last season making the playoffs for the second straight season. The Chiefs don't have a lot of experience back but this will be a tough challenge for Avondale and with the game in New Boston, I don’t know if the Yellow Jackets have a chance.

SAMMY PICK: NEW BOSTON HURON 34, AVONDALE 14.

ANT PICK: NEW BOSTON HURON 36, AVONDALE 28.

KEITH PICK: NEW BOSTON HURON 24, AVONDALE 7.

DAN PICK: AVONDALE 14, NEW BOSTON HURON 13.

SEAN PICK: NEW BOSTON HURON 35, AVONDALE 20.

BURNEY PICK: NEW BOSTON HURON 32, AVONDALE 20.

Romeo at Oxford:

The Bulldogs come in as the defending Division One State Champs but going to Oxford hasn’t been good for defending Division One State Champs in the past. The Wildcats beat Orion, who were the 2010 Division One State Champs 41-20 in 2011. Oxford is in need of a bounce back 2016 after a disappointing 3-6 season last season. Romeo will be very young but they are talented. The Bulldogs will be tough, the strength of their team will be the offensive line but they have some skill players. The Wildcats were pounded 47-0 at Dan Barnabo Field last season. I think that Oxford and coach Bud Rowley would want to get back at Romeo, well in terms of Rowley, “there is nothing greater than the game of football.”

SAMMY PICK: OXFORD 28, ROMEO 23.

ANT PICK: OXFORD 28, ROMEO 20.

KEITH PICK: ROMEO 28, OXFORD 10.

DAN PICK: ROMEO 24, OXFORD 21.

SEAN PICK: OXFORD 34, ROMEO 28.

BURNEY PICK: ROMEO 35, OXFORD 20.