OAA has proven to be toughest Football Conference in the State.

Written Saturday November 18th at 5:15 PM

The OAA has proved itself why they were the best conference in the State.

A few years ago the Ottawa-Kent Conference was proven to be the toughest conference in the State but it's not anymore.

There were 12 teams from the OAA that made the playoffs from each division this season.

Now there are three of them in the State Final in West Bloomfield, Clarkston, and Harrison.

The Red has two teams that are in the Division One State Championship game which is unheard off.

The White has one team that is in the Division Three State Championship game and it’s a well-known name.

The Red has a lot of history in this league, besides West Bloomfield and Clarkston whom will be playing in the State Championship game next weekend, there is Lake Orion, Oxford, Southfield Arts and Tech, Rochester Adams, Bloomfield Hills, and Troy Athens are in this league. The Dragons won a State title in 2010, the Highlanders won a State title in 2002, the Wildcats won a State title in 1994, and the Wolves won two State titles in 2013 and 2014.

West Bloomfield has gone through a ton of adversity and had a tough road to get to Ford Field. The Lakers had an 0-2 start to the season with their talented team with seven Division One recruits. West Bloomfield kicker Nick O’Shea lost his father during the season after he passed away from a heart attack. O'Shea's loss has brought the team closer together. The path was not easy for the Lakers in the playoffs as they had to go through Bloomfield Hills, Waterford Mott, Utica Eisenhower, and Detroit Cass Tech. 

West Bloomfield has won 11 straight games to get to this point.

The Lakers have had big time plays late in games against two very good teams in Utica Eisenhower and Detroit Cass Tech on the road. West Bloomfield needed a touchdown run from Bryce Veasley to win at Sweinhart 28-25 in the Regional Final. Against Detroit Cass Tech, O’Shea delivered when it counted most with three huge field goals. The West Bloomfield defense needed a goal line stand and an interception to hold off the defending Division One Champs. The Lakers held the Technicians to just seven points.

Clarkston has had an somewhat of an easier path getting to Ford Field but they had to go through some adversity themselves in which they were limping somewhat heading into the playoffs. After having two dominant wins against Grand Blanc and Davison, the Wolves went to Holland to take on Holland West Ottawa in the Regional Final. The Panthers dominated the first half throwing the ball against the Clarkston secondary. The Wolves saw themselves trailing Holland West Ottawa 22-6 at halftime. The Clarkston defense would come to life in the second half, shutting down the Panthers offense. The Wolves rallied around each other led by their running attack of Mike Fleugel and Josh Cantu. Clarkston would come from behind to stun Holland West Ottawa 29-22.

Clarkston has only allowed seven points since that game only allowing Novi Detroit Catholic Central, whom was a State Finalist last season to just seven points.

The other team that is making noise is in Division Three and that is Harrison. The Hawks are a legendary school in which they have a legendary coach in John Herrington.

This could be Harrison’s last shot at a State Championship whom will be playing in their 18th State Championship Game in school history. It would be the Hawks 14th State title if they can win next weekend. They will close their doors in 2019-2020.

The Hawks play in the White with Oak Park, Groves, Seaholm, Rochester, Stoney Creek, and Troy. Harrison has a small enrollment but the football tradition continues on in Farmington Hills.

Harrison has had an interesting playoff run, their White schedule prepared for this run in which they are playing schools that are bigger than they are. The Hawks did not have any playoff games at home, which has made this run the more remarkable. Harrison went into Warren and dominated Warren Fitzgerald and Warren Woods Tower then the following week, they went into Genesee County where it got tricky but the Hawks had a strong second half to beat Linden 35-21 in the Regional Final. Harrison dominated Riverview in the State Semifinal behind a solid running attack. The Hawks opponent in the State Championship game will be Muskegon. The Big Reds will not be easy, they come in unbeaten and have been dominant in the playoffs including wins over DeWitt and Battle Creek Harper Creek. The last time Harrison played a team from the west side of the State was East Grand Rapids where they were dominated 33-8 back in Week One.

The OAA is strong this season, a lot of strong teams in this league.

Three teams in the State Finals in Division One and Three tells you how strong this league has become.