Week One Picks.

Written Thursday August 24th at 7:10 AM

Welcome to the 2017 OAA Football Season, this season we will pick games that include OAA Teams. This year we have Anthony Taormina from History Now and Between Taorminas on Orion Neighborhood Television, Scott Burnstein from MIPrepZone and State Champs, Dan Stickradt from North Oakland Sports, Keith Dunlap a free-lance writer at the Detroit Free Press, and Sean Cotter Ford worker and Farmington loyalist.

1. Oak Park vs Utica Eisenhower at Wayne State: This is an interesting matchup at Wayne State. The Knights are loaded everywhere except linebacker. Oak Park will be tested on how they handle the read option. The Eagles will be one of the top teams in Macomb County this season led by quarterback Max Wittwer and wide receiver Henry Jentaway. Utica Eisenhower made it to the State Semifinals last season losing a heartbreaker to Detroit Cass Tech 32-28. This will be a test for the Knights but then again coach Greg Carter loves these types of games.

SAMMY PICK: OAK PARK 27, UTICA EISENHOWER 21.

ANT PICK: UTICA EISENHOWER 34, OAK PARK 16.

SEAN PICK: UTICA EISENHOWER 28, OAK PARK 26.

STICK PICK: OAK PARK, UTICA EISENHOWER.

KEITH PICK: UTICA EISENHOWER 20, OAK PARK 16.

BURNEY PICK: OAK PARK 31, UTICA EISENHOWER 28.

2. West Bloomfield vs Walled Lake Western at Wayne State: This will be the first game of the 2017-2018 MHSAA season. The Lakers have their new look offense against the Warriors new look offense led by quarterback Sam Johnson III whom transferred from Southfield Arts and Tech this offseason. Both of these teams have added transfers in the offseason with West Bloomfield adding eight transfers in the last two years with a few of them being Division One recruits led by AJ Abbott, Bryce Thompson, Richard Sanders, Collin Heard, Desmond Simpson, and Jhordan Rush. That’s not mentioning that Taj Mustapha and Bryce Veasley whom transferred in last season, both of them are also Division One recruits as well. Walled Lake Western added Johnson and lineman Spencer Brown from Walled Lake Western, both of them are Division One recruits. In what is expected to be a good old fashion shootout, it’s whoever’s defense shows up. Line play is key in this game with both teams featuring one Division One recruit, the Lakers with Javon Foster and the Warriors with Brown. Whomever wins up front wins this game.

SAMMY PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 49, WALLED LAKE WESTERN 35.

ANT PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 42, WALLED LAKE WESTERN 28.

SEAN PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 42, WALLED LAKE WESTERN 38.

STICK PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD, WALLED LAKE WESTERN.

KEITH PICK: WALLED LAKE WESTERN 34, WEST BLOOMFIELD 27.

BURNEY PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 27, WALLED LAKE WESTERN 24.

3. Clarkston vs Lapeer at Michigan: The Lightning have lost five total games since merging Lapeer East and Lapeer West however three of those games were to Clarkston. The Wolves have outscored Lapeer 96-48 in their three meetings including a 45-21 win in the playoffs and 28-7 last season at Michigan over the Lightning. If Lapeer wants to reverse the trend, they must stop Michael Fluegel and find a way to handle Noah Nicklin and Spencer Newblatt. Those three were huge last season in both victories. If the Lightning want to solve their Clarkston problem, they need to win this game.

SAMMY PICK: CLARKSTON 21, LAPEER 7.

ANT PICK: CLARKSTON 49, LAPEER 7.

SEAN PICK: CLARKSTON 31, LAPEER 14.

STICK PICK: CLARKSTON, LAPEER.

KEITH PICK: CLARKSTON 24, LAPEER 10.

BURNEY PICK: CLARKSTON 24, LAPEER 16.

4. Southfield Arts and Tech vs Davison at Wayne State: Davison running back Tariq Reid was a nightmare for the Saginaw Valley League until he ran into Clarkston where the Wolves shut him down on route to a 31-14 win. The Cardinals open up at Wayne State against a team where Reid and his offensive line will be severely tested in the Warriors. Not to mention that Southfield Arts and Tech has a quarterback to wide receiver combination in John Darby and Matt Gilbert. Davison will have everything against them at Wayne State, I would be shocked if the Cardinals beat the Warriors.

SAMMY PICK: SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 28, DAVISON 7.

ANT PICK: SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 35, DAVISON 10.

SEAN PICK: SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 28, DAVISON 21.

STICK PICK: DAVISON, SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH.

KEITH PICK: SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 26, DAVISON 13.

BURNEY PICK: DAVISON 26, SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 23.

5. Harrison at East Grand Rapids: This will be the third meeting all time between the Hawks and the Pioneers. Both teams are 1-1 against each other. Harrison will be tested in this game especially with their depth. The Hawks lost to East Grand Rapids in the Division Three State Final 42-17 in 2006. The Pioneers were a playoff team last season as well.

SAMMY PICK: EAST GRAND RAPIDS 27, HARRISON 13.

ANT PICK: EAST GRAND RAPIDS 49, HARRISON 28.

SEAN PICK: HARRISON 21, EAST GRAND RAPIDS 14.

STICK PICK: HARRISON, EAST GRAND RAPIDS.

KEITH PICK: EAST GRAND RAPIDS 20, HARRISON 13.

BURNEY PICK: EAST GRAND RAPIDS 25, HARRISON 21.

6. Orion at Chippewa Valley: The Dragons have lost three straight meetings to the Big Reds. Chippewa Valley is a veteran team with 40 players back with 19 of them starters. Orion has a new coach in John Blackstock and also has experience back as well. The Big Reds are very talented led by quarterback Tommy Schuster Javon Kimpson, Marcell Lewis, Jacob Rybicki, and Brian Schieweck, Cardell Snorton, Isiah Booker, among others. The Dragons secondary will be tested in this game. Chippewa Valley has outscored Orion 100-70 in the last three meetings, this is something the Dragons need to fix.

SAMMY PICK: ORION 31, CHIPPEWA VALLEY 28.

ANT PICK: ORION 28, CHIPPEWA VALLEY 27.

SEAN PICK: CHIPPEWA VALLEY 35, ORION 14.

STICK PICK: CHIPPEWA VALLEY, ORION.

KEITH PICK: CHIPPEWA VALLEY 34, ORION 7.

BURNEY PICK: CHIPPEWA VALLEY 27, ORION 22.

Bloomfield Hills at 7. Seaholm: This will be the second meeting between the Maples and the Blackhawks. Seaholm won 38-21 in 2014 but these two neighborhood rivals will make up for lost time when they play in the Maple Forest. Bloomfield Hills will be tested by the Maples veer offense and time possession football while Seaholm will be tested by quarterback John Paddock’s arm and tenacity. The Maples have experience while the Blackhawks may have one of the best quarterbacks in the State on theirs. It will be a fun one in the Maple Forest.

SAMMY PICK: SEAHOLM 27, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 21.

ANT PICK: BLOOMFIELD HILLS 17, SEAHOLM 14.

SEAN PICK: SEAHOLM 28, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 21.

STICK PICK: BLOOMFIELD HILLS, SEAHOLM.

KEITH PICK: BLOOMFIELD HILLS 20, SEAHOLM 17.

BURNEY PICK: BLOOMFIELD HILLS 21, SEAHOLM 14.

Rochester at 8. Adams: It has been 21 years since the Falcons beaten the Highlanders but this maybe Rochester’s best chance to beat Adams even though it’s on the road. Experience favors the Falcons in this game. The Highlanders have a young defense even though Stevie Roncelli and Vincent Gray are two very good athletes that will test quarterback Brent Burtraw. Adams will be a team to keep an eye on offensively as well with their veer attack. This could be an upset trap for the Highlanders knowing next week they have to visit Orion.

SAMMY PICK: ROCHESTER 21, ADAMS 14.

ANT PICK: ADAMS 35, ROCHESTER 14.

SEAN PICK: ADAMS 40, ROCHESTER 14.

STICK PICK: ROCHESTER, ADAMS.

KEITH PICK: ADAMS 24, ROCHESTER 16.

BURNEY PICK: ADAMS 34, ROCHESTER 20.

9. Avondale at Troy: The Colts will open the Chris Frasier era with a big test against the Yellow Jackets at home. Troy holds a 14-12-4 record all time against Avondale, one of them included last season’s 21-0 win in Auburn Hills. The Yellow Jackets are a different team now with a full offseason to learn the Ed Couturier offense and defensive schemes. The Colts are 20-39 since 2009, that’s something they need to get fix. Avondale should be better this season and more stable than last season.

SAMMY PICK: AVONDALE 28, TROY 0.

ANT PICK: AVONDALE 21, TROY 7.

SEAN PICK: AVONDALE 35, TROY 10.

STICK PICK: AVONDALE, TROY.

KEITH PICK: TROY 28, AVONDALE 10.

BURNEY PICK: AVONDALE 30, TROY 20.

Novi at 10. Groves: This will be the first ever meeting between the Falcons and Wildcats. Groves has to rebuild a bit after going 21-3 in the last three seasons. Novi will be rebuilding a bit as well after having some success especially in the last two seasons but the Wildcats have Traveon Maddox and Leonard Hankerson. Both teams have holes to fill and replace. This one will be an interesting game to watch.

SAMMY PICK: NOVI 28, GROVES 14.

ANT PICK: NOVI 35, GROVES 17.

SEAN PICK: GROVES 28, NOVI 14.

STICK PICK: GROVES, NOVI.

KEITH PICK: NOVI 24, GROVES 17.

BURNEY PICK: NOVI 24, GROVES 23.

Madison Heights Lamphere at Ferndale: The Eagles were a playoff team for the first time since 2008 will ride the strength of their quarterback Keshawn Smith and running back Zoser Little. The Rams have a new coach in Jeff Glynn and are coming off an 0-9 season last year. Madison Heights Lamphere will have the majority of their team back especially on the offensive line and linebacking groups. The Rams Senior class is very talented as well. This will be a different game compared to last season’s 42-7 beatdown in Madison Heights by Ferndale.

SAMMY PICK: FERNDALE 35, MADISON HEIGHTS LAMPHERE 14.

ANT PICK: FERNDALE 35, MADISON HEIGHTS LAMPHERE 21.

SEAN PICK: FERNDALE 42, MADISON HEIGHTS LAMPHERE 12.

STICK PICK: FERNDALE, MADISON HEIGHTS LAMPHERE.

KEITH PICK: FERNDALE 33, MADISON HEIGHTS LAMPHERE 14.

BURNEY PICK: FERNDALE 31. MADISON HEIGHTS LAMPHERE 21.

North Farmington vs Greenville at Grand Valley State: The Raiders have a new coach and a new system. North Farmington named Bob Chiesa as their head coach. They will be tested at Grand Valley State with the Yellow Jackets. Greenville has two solid players in wide receiver Kyle Lorenez and lineman Jacob Gladding but they have to replace the majority of their lineup this season. The Yellow Jackets were 5-5 last season, making the playoffs for the first time since 2010. The Raiders have to fix a ton of things but if they can send a message on the west side of the State then maybe this could be the start of something special.

SAMMY PICK: NORTH FARMINGTON 24, GREENVILLE 21.

ANT PICK: GREENVILLE 21, NORTH FARMINGTON 14.

SEAN PICK: GREENVILLE 42, NORTH FARMINGTON 7.

STICK PICK: GREENVILLE, NORTH FARMINGTON.

KEITH PICK: GREENVILLE 20, NORTH FARMINGTON 19.

BURNEY PICK: NORTH FARMINGTON 16, GREENVILLE 14.

Oxford vs Romeo at Michigan: The Wildcats defense will be severely tested against a Bulldogs team that has won nine of their last 12 games. Oxford beat Romeo 27-26 last season at home but now they have to go to Ann Arbor to play the Bulldogs. Romeo is loaded this season led by running backs Brooke Horne Nathan Goraliski, wide receivers Evan Smith, Ronnie Wood, and quarterback Brandon Hicks whom transferred in from Utica Eisenhower. This will be a tough matchup for Parker Fleming, Ben Krause and the rest of the Wildcats in the Big House.

SAMMY PICK: ROMEO 28, OXFORD 14.

ANT PICK: ROMEO 21, OXFORD 7.

SEAN PICK: ROMEO 33, OXFORD 14.

STICK PICK: OXFORD, ROMEO.

KEITH PICK: ROMEO 31, OXFORD 14.

BURNEY PICK: ROMEO 24, OXFORD 17.

Farmington at Berkley: This will be the 19^th all-time meeting between the Falcons and Bears. Farmington holds a 9-7-2 record against Berkley. The last time these two teams met the Falcons beat the Bears 41-13 in 2013. Both these teams have new coaches with Farmington Kory Cioroch and Berkley with Billy Keenest. This is an interesting matchup at Hurley Field, whomever shows their will, will win this game.

SAMMY PICK: BERKLEY 24, FARMINGTON 21.

ANT PICK: BERKLEY 24, FARMINGTON 20.

SEAN PICK: FARMINGTON 35, BERKLEY 14.

STICK PICK: BERKLEY, FARMINGTON.

KEITH PICK: FARMINGTON 27, BERKLEY 13.

BURNEY PICK: FARMINGTON 27, BERKLEY 26.

Hazel Park at Warren Fitzgerald: This is the battle of the East Side vs the West Side has been a mismatch lately. The Vikings have been outscored 157-18 by the Spartans in the last three meetings, one included a 65-6 beatdown last season in Hazel Park. Warren Fitzgerald will be strong up front on both sides of the football. Hazel Park is 90 percent Senior heavy this season. Hopefully the Vikings can be competitive on Warren Fitzgerald’s new field.

SAMMY PICK: WARREN FITZGERALD 77, HAZEL PARK 0.

ANT PICK: WARREN FITZGERALD 63, HAZEL PARK 7.

SEAN PICK: WARREN FITZGERALD 49, HAZEL PARK 12.

STICK PICK: WARREN FITZGERALD, HAZEL PARK.

KEITH PICK: WARREN FITZGERALD 35, HAZEL PARK 14.

BURNEY PICK: WARREN FITZGERALD 26, HAZEL PARK 20.

Pontiac at Detroit Old Redford Academy: This will be an interesting game between the Phoenix and the Ravens. Detroit Old Redford Academy beat Pontiac 21-15 at Wisner Stadium last season. The Ravens finished at 2-7 while the Phoenix went 0-9. Pontiac is 2-43 since 2011 and new coach Charles Talley wants to change that this season. The Phoenix have not won a game since 2014 when they beat Hazel Park 17-0. The Ravens have lost five straight games heading into this game. This might be the perfect opportunity in Detroit to get that first win since 2015 for Pontiac.

SAMMY PICK: PONTIAC 22, DETROIT OLD REDFORD ACADEMY 14.

ANT PICK: DETROIT OLD REDFORD ACADEMY 14, PONTIAC 12.

SEAN PICK: DETROIT OLD REDFORD ACADEMY 28, PONTIAC 12.

STICK PICK: DETROIT OLD REDFORD ACADEMY, PONTIAC.

KEITH PICK: DETROIT OLD REDFORD ACADEMY 24, PONTIAC 6.

BURNEY PICK: PONTIAC 14, DETROIT OLD REDFORD ACADEMY 13.

Troy Athens at Warren Mott: I got to wonder why the Red Hawks are playing the Mauraders??? Warren Mott has outscored Troy Athens 116-20 in three meetings and the Red Hawks are 13-33 since 2011. I know that Troy Athens coach Josh Heppner and Mauraders coach Tom Mulanov are good friends but this has been a mismatch lately. The Red Hawks has a lot of talent back but they need to replace some key areas, including quarterback. Warren Mott will be very good yet again this season in the always tough Macomb Area Red Division and this game will be in Warren. This is a very bad matchup for Troy Athens.

SAMMY PICK: WARREN MOTT 21, TROY ATHENS 7.

ANT PICK: WARREN MOTT 31, TROY ATHENS 21.

SEAN PICK: WARREN MOTT 35, TROY ATHENS 13.

STICK PICK: TROY ATHENS, WARREN MOTT.

KEITH PICK: WARREN MOTT 31, TROY ATHENS 17.

BURNEY PICK: TROY ATHENS 31, WARREN MOTT 29.

Stoney Creek at Utica Ford II: The Cougars had a rough season last year winning two games but they finished strong and took Rochester out of the playoffs in the process. Stoney Creek now journeys into coach Bob Lantzy territory to Runkel Field to play one his former rivals in Utica Ford. The Falcons also won two games last season and will look to have a rebounding season. Utica Ford is 12-34 since 2012. With Lantzy’s knowledge of the Falcons from his days at Utica Eisenhower, his new team the Cougars shouldn’t have any problem with Utica Ford. If they do then it could be a long season for Stoney Creek.

SAMMY PICK: STONEY CREEK 42, UTICA FORD II 0.

ANT PICK: UTICA FORD II 24, STONEY CREEK 14.

SEAN PICK: STONEY CREEK 21, UTICA FORD II 17.

STICK PICK: STONEY CREEK, UTICA FORD II.

KEITH PICK: STONEY CREEK 21, UTICA FORD II 20.

BURNEY PICK: UTICA FORD II 28, STONEY CREEK 16.

St. Clair Shores Lakeview at Royal Oak: The Ravens were a major disappointment last season going 2-7 after a strong 4-5 season in 2015. What didn’t help things was they lost four games by a combined 31 points but this team is 6-21 since 2014. Royal Oak played St. Clair Shores Lakeview in St. Clair Shores and lost 21-0. This win got the Huskies to the playoffs last season. If the Ravens can stop the Wing-T offense that St. Clair Shores Lakeview runs then there should be no reason why Royal Oak wins this game. Also, the Huskies are very young with four starters back with the strength of their team being both lines, if the Ravens don’t win this game then something is seriously wrong here.

SAMMY PICK: ST. CLAIR SHORES LAKEVIEW 28, ROYAL OAK 7.

ANT PICK: ST. CLAIR SHORES LAKEVIEW 35, ROYAL OAK 7.

SEAN PICK: ST. CLAIR SHORES LAKEVIEW 28, ROYAL OAK 13.

STICK PICK: ROYAL OAK, ST. CLAIR SHORES LAKEVIEW.

KEITH PICK: ST. CLAIR SHORES LAKEVIEW 31, ROYAL OAK 20.

BURNEY PICK: ROYAL OAK 22, ST. CLAIR SHORES LAKEVIEW 18.