OAA Playoff Thoughts.

Written Sunday October 22nd at 9:30 PM
Updated Monday October 23rd at 1:00 AM

Here are my OAA Playoff thoughts. Stay tuned to OAA Now and Inside the OAA for the latest picks and previews surrounding the 12 OAA schools who are in the playoffs.

Division One.

I look at Clarkston being in Region One in District Two and see that they will host Grand Blanc. What’s interesting about the Wolves path would be if they get past the Bobcats this week and Davison, whom should beat Lapeer again in Genesee County next week then it’s possible that Clarkston takes a trip to Holland West Ottawa in the regional final on a Saturday.

The other OAA schools are in Region Four in District One, Troy has absolutely no chance with Waterford Mott. The Corsairs are led by David McGlown and a strong passing attack which will be too much for the Colts. West Bloomfield should be motivated to play Bloomfield Hills again after seeing a 24-7 lead in the Swamp go by the wayside only to lose 28-24. I think the Lakers will be ready for that matchup with the Blackhawks in the Swamp.

The other side of Region Four in District Two has Adams in there. They will have a tough first round matchup with Romeo. The Highlanders have some questions regarding Cole Patrino’s injury status but they will have a home game with a very good Bulldogs team that has made the State Semifinals in the last two seasons, including one State title. The winner of this game will see Utica Eisenhower at Sweinhart Field in the district final. It will be a tough district final for one of these teams to say the least.

Division Two.

There are four OAA teams in Region Four but there is one in District One Ferndale got an awful draw even though they are at home but it will be against State power Warren DeLaSalle. The Pilots are coming off a big high beating Novi Detroit Catholic Central twice and winning the Catholic League championship. Warren DeLaSalle is coached by former Macomb Dakota coach Mike Gionninne. I’m very concerned about their depth heading into this matchup.

The other side of Region Four, District Two pits three OAA teams in one district as Royal Oak whom made the playoffs for the first time since 2006 faces Oak Park. The Knights should handle the Ravens based on the competition that both teams have played this season with no common opponents. The other side of the district pits Groves against their city rivals Birmingham Brother Rice, this one could be a barn burner once again in Beverly Hills. The Falcons beat the Warriors 24-0 in the pre-district last season but these two teams are different than they were from a year ago. Groves is a young team that has developed this season. Birmingham Brother Rice has a new coaching staff and wants revenge for last season. The Falcons will have their work cut out for them.

Division Three.

I thought Harrison got a great draw in Region Four, District Two. I don’t think there is anyone out east that threaten the Hawks even though if they get to the State Semifinals would have to deal with Dearborn Divine Child and if they win that matchup then Harrison could possibly have a rematch with East Grand Rapids, a team that beat them 33-8 in week one, or Muskegon, whom is deemed the favorite in Division Three, DeWitt, or Zeeland East. The Hawks have an interesting first round matchup with Warren Fitzgerald. The Spartans and Harrison did not share a common opponent this season. Hazel Park lost to Warren Fitzgerald 32-20 in the first week of the season is in the playoffs for the first time since 2010. The Vikings will take on Warren Woods Tower. Hazel Park matches up well with the Titans but oddly enough both teams played the Spartans with the Vikings as mention losing to Warren Fitzgerald but Warren Woods Tower beat the Spartans 21-14 in week five. This will be an interesting district to keep an eye on.

Avondale is on the other side of Region Four, District One. The Yellow Jackets made the playoffs for the first time since 2012 will play Ortonville Brandon in Auburn Hills. The Blackhawks are coached by former Pontiac and Stoney Creek coach Brad Zube. Zube knows the OAA really well and has plenty of experience going up against the OAA. This could be a test for coach Ed Coutrier and his team. Brandon has been playing better as well. Avondale if they beat the Blackhawks would have to go to Genesee County and play Linden, whom should have no problem handling Bay City Central. I’m not sure how the Yellow Jackets match up with the Eagles if they play them.

Thoughts.

The MHSAA did no favors to the Blue or Troy. They all have tough first round matchups. Ferndale hosts Warren DeLaSalle, Troy is at Waterford Mott, Royal Oak is at Oak Park, and Avondale hosts Brandon.

I think Harrison has a great chance of getting to the State Finals in Division Three even though Dearborn Divine Child is a team they could see in the State Semifinals. If the Hawks get to Ford Field they will run into either Muskegon, Zeeland East, DeWitt, or East Grand Rapids.The Hawks lost 33-8 to East Grand Rapids in week one and Muskegon is the favorite in Division Three.

I thought Hazel Park got a favorable matchup with Warren Woods Tower and could very well pull it out over there over the Titans. The Vikings whom made the playoffs for the first time since 2010 has experience but they have not gotten this far but they have a defensive coordinator who has gotten to the playoffs in Gary Griffith and a head coach in Kyle Rowley whom has had the feeling of being in the postseason.

Ferndale, Troy, and Royal Oak got no favors by the MHSAA with their first-round matchups. I think the MHSAA recognized that the Blue was not exactly a great conference and that Troy was not playing the big Red opponents and all of the Colts wins outside of Avondale are not in the playoffs.

I thought West Bloomfield got a bad draw by the MHSAA and that they deserved a better seed and multiple home games. Instead they are likely going to get one home game out of this with Bloomfield Hills and then likely they will have to go to Waterford Mott and if they win that one then they go to Sweinhart Field to play Utica Eisenhower. It's unfortunate and sad but I really thought the Lakers got a bad draw here.

Adams if they get by Romeo will  have to see Utica Eisenhower in the District Final at Sweinhart Field. Groves whom plays Birmingham Brother Rice might have to deal with Oak Park in the next round. Clarkston will have to see Davison in the District Final if they get past Grand Blanc and if they win that then they would have to go west and play a Saturday afternoon game.

The MHSAA with the exception of Harrison and Oak Park did the OAA no favors.