Week Nine Picks.

Written Tuesday October 17th at 2:15 PM

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.

SAMMY 60-42

ANT 74-28

SEAN 77-25

STICK 81-21

KEITH 81-21

BURNEY 75-27

7. Groves at 1. West Bloomfield

The Lakers are looking like they will get a very good seed heading into the playoffs. West Bloomfield has won six straight since starting 0-2. The Lakers are looking like the team that everyone expected them to be. The Falcons are very young but they have had a successful season in what was supposed to be a down year but Groves has big wins over Oak Park, Harrison, and Seaholm this season. It could be an interesting game in the Swamp.

SAMMY PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 49, GROVES 7.

ANT PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 35, GROVES 14.

SEAN PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 49, GROVES 28.

STICK PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 34, GROVES 28.

KEITH PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 24, GROVES 20.

BURNEY PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 34, GROVES 24.

2. Adams at Stoney Creek

The Highlanders have had a great season by getting big wins over Bloomfield Hills, Southfield Arts and Tech, Orion, and Clarkston this season and could very well be City Champs once again. Adams will play a Stoney Creek team that lost 17-16 to Rochester last week. The Cougars have improved this season but they still have some work to do this offseason.

SAMMY PICK: ADAMS 52, STONEY CREEK 7.

ANT PICK: ADAMS 49, STONEY CREEK 7.

SEAN PICK: ADAMS 49, STONEY CREEK 14.

STICK PICK: ADAMS 35, STONEY CREEK 7.

KEITH PICK: ADAMS 56, STONEY CREEK 14.

BURNEY PICK: ADAMS 31, STONEY CREEK 21.

3. Harrison at 6. Clarkston

This will be an interesting game at Clarkston and the pressure is now off Hawks coach John Herrington. Herrington broke Al Fracassa’s record with his 431^st win last week over Berkley which resulted in a share for the White with Groves and Oak Park. The Wolves wasn’t impressive in their 17-9 win over Orion last week. Clarkston looks vulnerable but Harrison’s depth is a concern coming into the game.

SAMMY PICK: HARRISON 28, CLARKSTON 7.

ANT PICK: CLARKSTON 24, HARRISON 21.

SEAN PICK: HARRISON 17, CLARKSTON 14.

STICK PICK: CLARKSTON 28, HARRISON 27.

KEITH PICK: CLARKSTON 24, HARRISON 13.

BURNEY PICK: HARRISON 27, CLARKSTON 20.

4. Oak Park at 8. Bloomfield Hills

The Knights have had an interesting season, sharing the White with Harrison and Groves. Oak Park will be in the playoffs for the fifth straight season. The Blackhawks will be in the playoffs for the second straight season after having a very surprising successful season in the Red. If the game comes down to talent, advantage Knights, all air attack favors Bloomfield Hills. It will be interesting between Oak Park and the Blackhawks in Bloomfield Hills.

SAMMY PICK: OAK PARK 35, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 14.

ANT PICK: OAK PARK 49, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 21.

SEAN PICK: OAK PARK 38, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 14.

STICK PICK: OAK PARK 35, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 28.

KEITH PICK: OAK PARK 34, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 13.

BURNEY PICK: OAK PARK 28, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 20.

5. Ferndale at Dearborn Edsel Ford

The Eagles have had a special season which resulted in their first league championship since 1996 when they won the then OAA Division Three crown. This will be an interesting matchup for Ferndale as they play Dearborn Edsel Ford in Dearborn. Ferndale beat the Thunderbirds 24-19 last season at home. The win by the Eagles got them into the playoffs for the first time since 2008. This matchup will be a good one but the key will be if Zoser Little plays or not, he got hurt last week in their 20-17 double overtime win over Hazel Park, that will be the key.

SAMMY PICK: FERNDALE 28, DEARBORN EDSEL FORD 24.

ANT PICK: FERNDALE 24, DEARBORN EDSEL FORD 14.

SEAN PICK: FERNDALE 34, DEARBORN EDSEL FORD 28.

STICK PICK: FERNDALE 21, DEARBORN EDSEL FORD 20.

KEITH PICK: FERNDALE 38, DEARBORN EDSEL FORD 20.

BURNEY PICK: FERNDALE 25, DEARBORN EDSEL FORD 15.

Madison Heights Bishop Foley at 9. Hazel Park

The Vikings had a chance to win the Blue outright but Hazel Park lost a tough double overtime loss to Ferndale 20-17 which led to a share of the Blue title with the Eagles and Avondale. Hazel Park needs a win against a Madison Heights Bishop Foley team that has struggled this season. The Ventures could spoil Hazel Park’s season while the Vikings are trying to make the playoffs for the first time since 2012.

SAMMY PICK: HAZEL PARK 28, MADISON HEIGHTS BISHOP FOLEY 14.

ANT PICK: HAZEL PARK 24, MADISON HEIGHTS BISHOP FOLEY 14.

SEAN PICK: HAZEL PARK 26, MADISON HEIGHTS BISHOP FOLEY 14.

STICK PICK: HAZEL PARK 35, MADISON HEIGHTS BISHOP FOLEY 14.

KEITH PICK:  HAZEL PARK 31, MADISON HEIGHTS BISHOP FOLEY 16.

BURNEY PICK: HAZEL PARK 24, MADISON HEIGHTS BISHOP FOLEY 10.

10. Avondale at Macomb Lutheran North

The Mustangs will be taking on their second Blue opponent in two weeks, their first matchup didn’t fare well against Royal Oak in which they lost 42-6 to the Ravens last week. This week they will play a Yellow Jackets team that is one win away from getting to the playoffs. Avondale is trying to get to the playoffs for the first time since 2012. It won’t be an easy game for the Yellow Jackets but they should be in the postseason.

SAMMY PICK: AVONDALE 48, MACOMB LUTHERAN NORTH 7.

ANT PICK: AVONDALE 42, MACOMB LUTHERAN NORTH 7.

SEAN PICK: AVONDALE 49, MACOMB LUTHERAN NORTH 12.

STICK PICK: AVONDALE 35, MACOMB LUTHERAN NORTH 14.

KEITH PICK: AVONDALE 43, MACOMB LUTHERAN NORTH 20.

BURNEY PICK: AVONDALE 30, MACOMB LUTHERAN NORTH 24.

Royal Oak at Monroe Jefferson

This could be the perfect opportunity for the Ravens to make the playoffs for the first time since 2006 when they travel to Monroe to face a winless Bears team. Monroe Jefferson was shutout by Monroe St. Marys Catholic Central 27-0 last week while Royal Oak beat Macomb L’Anse Creuse North 42-6. If the Ravens lose this game then it’s shame on them but if they win, hello playoffs.

SAMMY PICK: ROYAL OAK 14, MONROE JEFFERSON 0.

ANT PICK: ROYAL OAK 24, MONROE JEFFERSON 7.

SEAN PICK: ROYAL OAK 42, MONROE JEFFERSON 14.

STICK PICK: ROYAL OAK 21, MONROE JEFFERSON 7.

KEITH PICK: ROYAL OAK 31, MONROE JEFFERSON 24.

BURNEY PICK: ROYAL OAK 29, MONROE JEFFERSON 27.

Rochester at Southfield Arts and Tech

The Warriors have not fared well in the close games which costed them a trip to the playoffs at 3-5 but they can get a win this week against Rochester, a team that is injury riddled but the Falcons beat Stoney Creek 17-16 last week. We don’t know the mindset of Southfield Arts and Tech after losing two straight games. The Warriors will be faced with some questions heading into the offseason. Rochester will be playing with nothing to lose even though they have to make that trip to Southfield for a 5:30 PM kickoff.

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

ANT PICK: SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 35, ROCHESTER 7.

SEAN PICK: SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 38, ROCHESTER 14.

STICK PICK: SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 28, ROCHESTER 21.

KEITH PICK: SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 42, ROCHESTER 13.

BURNEY PICK: SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 34, ROCHESTER 23.

Seaholm at Orion

This will be a rematch of last season’s 21-14 overtime victory for the Dragons over the Maples on their Homecoming in the Maple Forest. This time it will be Orion’s Homecoming and Seaholm will look to ruin the Dragons Homecoming. This will be an interesting matchup, both teams are veteran heavy and have some young guys that are primed for the future. The offseason will be key for both teams as 2018 could be a big year for both teams.

SAMMY PICK: ORION 35, SEAHOLM 7.

ANT PICK: ORION 35, SEAHOLM 14.

SEAN PICK: ORION 28, SEAHOLM 7.

STICK PICK: ORION 28, SEAHOLM 20.

KEITH PICK: ORION 21, SEAHOLM 17.

BURNEY PICK: ORION 32, SEAHOLM 30.

Berkley at Oxford

The Bears and Wildcats have had struggling seasons thus far but it will be a homecoming for Berkley coach Billy Kennest. Kennest was a quarterback under coach Bud Rowley at Oxford back in the early 2000’s but he will be coaching against Rowley. The Wildcats face some questions next season but the Bears remain on track to get better as we head into next season.

SAMMY PICK: OXFORD 21, BERKLEY 12.

ANT PICK: OXFORD 24, BERKLEY 3.

SEAN PICK: OXFORD 35, BERKLEY 12.

STICK PICK: OXFORD 24, BERKLEY 21.

KEITH PICK: OXFORD 28, BERKLEY 13.

BURNEY PICK: OXFORD 26, BERKLEY 16.

North Farmington at Garden City

This is an interesting matchup when you look at both of these teams. Both North Farmington and Garden City come in with a combined record of 3-13 and have two female kickers. The Cougars have Alex Sherlock while the Raiders have Lynn Lerner. Garden City picked up a huge win last week over Livonia Claranceville 44-24. This will be a tough matchup for North Farmington but coach Bob Chiesa is changing the culture ever so slowly.

SAMMY PICK: GARDEN CITY 24, NORTH FARMINGTON 7.

ANT PICK: NORTH FARMINGTON 14, GARDEN CITY 13.

SEAN PICK: GARDEN CITY 42, NORTH FARMINGTON 14.

STICK PICK: GARDEN CITY 21, NORTH FARMINGTON 14.

KEITH PICK:  GARDEN CITY 27, NORTH FARMINGTON 14.

BURNEY PICK: NORTH FARMINGTON 23, GARDEN CITY 14.

Pontiac at Warren Michigan Collegiate

This is going to be a tough game for the Phoenix heading into their season finale. Pontiac has struggled again at 0-8 and 2-51 since 2011. Warren Michigan Collegiate comes in undefeated and has scored 335 points this season. This one could get real ugly for the Phoenix and coach Charles Talley.

SAMMY PICK: WARREN MICHIGAN COLLEGIATE 56, PONTIAC 6.

ANT PICK: WARREN MICHIGAN COLLEGIATE 56, PONTIAC 6.

SEAN PICK: WARREN MICHIGAN COLLEGIATE 63, PONTIAC 6.

STICK PICK: WARREN MICHIGAN COLLEGIATE 21, PONTIAC 7.

KEITH PICK: WARREN MICHIGAN COLLEGIATE 31, PONTIAC 6.

BURNEY PICK: WARREN MICHIGAN COLLEGIATE 18, PONTIAC 8.

Troy at Troy Athens

The Colts have a chance to get to the playoffs for the first time since 2009 but in order to that they have to go on the road and beat a Red Hawks team that has won five of the last eight meetings against them. Troy Athens is playing with nothing to lose and what would be nice for them is to knock their city rival out of the playoffs.

SAMMY PICK: TROY 17, TROY ATHENS 14.

ANT PICK: TROY ATHENS 24, TROY 21.

SEAN PICK: TROY 27, TROY ATHENS 14.

STICK PICK: TROY 28, TROY ATHENS 14.

KEITH PICK: TROY 23, TROY ATHENS 13.

BURNEY PICK: TROY 25, TROY ATHENS 21.

Detroit Edison at Farmington (???)

Now I’m not sure if this game will happen heading into the final week of the season but the Falcons bounced back by beating North Farmington 47-6 last week but coach Kory Cioroch will have to address some major things heading into the offseason on both sides of the football.

SAMMY PICK: FARMINGTON 6, DETROIT EDISON 3.

ANT PICK: FARMINGTON 3, DETROIT EDISON 2.

SEAN PICK: FARMINGTON 28, DETROIT EDISON 20.

STICK PICK: FARMINGTON 14, DETROIT EDISON 7.

KEITH PICK: FARMINGTON 28, DETROIT EDISON 22.

BURNEY PICK: FARMINGTON 28, DETROIT EDISON 22.