Football Storylines Heading into 2018.

Written Tuesday June 12th at 1:20 AM

Hey all, of course school is out and some of my early thoughts and questions loom surrounding each team so here they are from the Blue, White, and Red.

Can Pontiac win an “ACTUAL” football game???

The Phoenix have really struggled since coach Brad Zube left in 2011 but they did get a technical forfeit win over Hamtramck after the Cosmos were forced to forfeit for having ineligible players. Pontiac is 4-49 since 2012. The Phoenix have a golden opportunity to win some games this season, the schedule looks good for them to have a successful season for coach Charles Talley.

Will Berkley become Madison Heights Bishop Foley???

The Bears have struggled as of late but they have named Sean Shields as the team’s new head coach. Berkley went 1-8 last season. Shields whom comes over from Madison Heights Bishop Foley, a program that has struggled in recent seasons is the team's third coach in four seasons. I have serious concerns about this football program moving forward.

How will Royal Oak be this season???

The Ravens fresh off making the playoffs for the first time since 2006 will have to replace a ton of talent for coach Ray McMann. It could be a struggle for Royal Oak this season especially opening up again with St. Clair Shores Lakeview a team that the Ravens beat last season but the Huskies beat Royal Oak 21-0 two years ago. The Ravens until last season was 17-73 since 2007 until the team’s playoff berth last season.

How will Hazel Park do???

The Vikings lost a ton of talent from a team that made the playoffs for the first time since 2010. Hazel Park could struggle as well heading into the season for coach Kyle Rowley. The Vikings were 10-44 since 2011 until the team’s playoff berth last season.

Can Farmington find it’s magic???

The Falcons were hit with the injury to Donovan King last season which caused a huge ripple effect for coach Kory Cicroch. Farmington is 5-15 since 2015 and will look to rebound after two subpar seasons. The positive for the Falcons is last season they scored more 247 then what they allowed (223) so there is hope for a possible bounce back season with a few key players healthy.

Will North Farmington be a playoff team in 2018??? It’s possible.

I talked to Raiders coach Bob Chiesa about his team recently and last season was rough on his team. “I did probably the hardest decision in my life starting 18 sophomores and juniors on Varsity but I truly had to in order to begin the rebuild process” said Chiesa. Chiesa admits that his team is a year away from making a serious playoff run after getting two wins last season but when I look at that schedule, six wins looks very favorable. I like this North Farmington team going forward, this is a darkhorse team to watch.

Will the magic continue for Ferndale???

The Eagles are 15-5 since merging with Ferndale University thanks to the team’s Co-OP program but coach Eric Royal will have to replace his quarterback and running back even though there are some capable players that can do so. The strength of Ferndale will be it’s line and looking at that schedule it looks manageable for the Eagles to be a playoff team for a third straight season.

How will Seaholm do in the Blue???

The Maples come down from the White to the Blue but this team should be better heading into the season. Seaholm has a lot of talent coming back for coach Jim DeWald but the Maples are 11-25 since 2014 so that has to change if they want to be a playoff team. It won’t be easy this season for Seaholm especially opening up with Troy Athens and closing the year with Groves.

Is Avondale the team to beat in the Blue???

The Yellow Jackets had a huge rebound last season and looks to get back to the playoffs for coach Ed Coutrier. Lineman remain a big question for Avondale but they have the skill players to compete with anyone. I expect a return trip back to the postseason for the Yellow Jackets this season.

Can Troy make the playoffs again???

The Colts made the playoffs last season for the first time since 2010 but coach Chris Frazier will have to address a ton of positions if Troy wants to return to the playoffs. Also the schedule is much tougher as well for the Colts with Avondale, Clarkston, Harrison, Oak Park, and Groves on the schedule. This could be a long season for Frazier and his team.

Can Rochester find defense???

The Falcons have only made the playoffs twice since 1999 (2010) but recently coach Eric Vernon’s team has had trouble with their defense. Rochester allowed 283 points last season and 1,125 points since 2013. Bottom line for the Falcons, sure the schedule is brutal with games against Adams, Southfield Arts and Tech, Harrison, Oak Park, Stoney Creek, Troy Athens, and Groves but if they don’t fix their defense then it could be the eighth straight season they miss the postseason.

Will Keenest get Athens to the postseason???

The Red Hawks went back to their roots to get their next head coach in Billy Keenest. Keenest was the team’s offensive coordinator under Josh Heppner but he will have a tough job ahead of them fixing a team that has went 12-42 since 2011 although most of Troy Athens’s games were against the Red but now the Red Hawks are in the White and they have to play against Oak Park, Harrison, and Groves not to mention that Lake Orion and Oxford are on the schedule as well. It could be an interesting season for Troy Athens but they have a very good sophomore class to lean on this season.

Will Oak Park get past the Regional???

The Knights have a ton of talent coming back. They have made the playoffs in five straight seasons under coach Greg Carter but there is that one major hurdle that they can’t get out off and that’s the regional round of the playoffs. Oak Park will be a playoff team that’s for sure but its when they get to that round. Last season, the Knights lost to Warren De LaSalle in a low scoring game 14-7 and back in 2012 they lost to Wyandotte Roosevelt 10-6. There is not a lot of flaws on Carter’s team even though linebacker could be the next Scooby Doo mystery Carter figures out but he will have someone there knowing him and his team.

Linemen will be a big concern at Harrison.

The Hawks will have a ton of talent coming back this season from a team that went to the State final a year ago. Coach John Herrington has led his team to the playoffs in 32 of the last 38 seasons, the State’s all-time wins leader should field a strong team this season. Lineman and depth will be major concerns for the Hawks. Harrison will for sure be a player in its final season as a school.

Groves is for REAL man.

If there is one football team I’m keeping an eye on it’s the Falcons. Groves has made the playoffs six of the last seven years for coach Branden Flaherty and is loaded to make a deep postseason run this season. The Falcons should have a bad taste in their mouth after losing to Birmingham Brother Rice in double overtime last season. Only concern that I see is in the secondary but knowing Flaherty he will fix that quickly. The schedule is manageable for Groves as they have West Bloomfield, Oak Park, and Harrison which could spell trouble spots but six wins looks not to be a problem. Looking at this team on paper, there is plenty to like on this Falcons football team, could a deep playoff run be in the cards???

“Armor Up” Could be in for a long season.

There is a new era for the Cougars as Nick Merlo takes over the program. Merlo whom is the third coach in four seasons introduced a theme called “Armor Up” which is a win everyday theme on and off the field. On the field, Merlo is going to have to fix a Stoney Creek football program that has fallen on hard times going 8-19 since 2015. The Cougars do not have an easy schedule as they have Utica Ford, Troy, Harrison, Oak Park, Groves, Oxford, Rochester, Adams, and Troy Athens also lineman is a big concern for Merlo and his team. There will be some lumps on the road for Stoney Creek before they can find some success.

The Rebuild Starts.

The Blackhawks have had some success under coach Dan Loria going 13-5 in the last two seasons but that has been credited to John Paddock and Jack Sape. Now Paddock and Sape have moved on but there is still some talent in Bloomfield Hills. The Blackhawks will have to address their line and especially their defense. It will be interesting to see what Bloomfield Hills does this upcoming season knowing that a tough schedule awaits them.

Defense is still a problem in Oxford.

The Wildcats have really struggled going 9-18 since 2015 but there is one problem that has been a real pain to coach Bud Rowley and that’s the defense. Oxford allowed 271 points last season and have allowed 1,715 points since entering the OAA in 2010. The Wildcats should be better this season on the offensive side of the ball despite needing to replace the quarterback. The schedule won't help things for Oxford with games against Romeo, Clarkston, West Bloomfield, Adams, Southfield, and Lake Orion on the docket. If the Wildcats want to go anywhere this season, the defense will be the key.

How will Southfield Arts and Tech look in 2018???

The Warriors have a ton of players that have gotten College offers but they have not performed to expectations. Southfield Arts and Tech did not make the playoffs last season thanks to a three game losing streak that included two blowout losses to Adams and West Bloomfield. The Warriors should be hungry heading into the season but for coach Tim Conley and his team, now is the time for them to prove it.

Does West Bloomfield have another deep playoff run in them???

The Lakers last season had a special year beating Utica Eisenhower and Detroit Cass Tech to get to the State finals for the first time in school history. There is no reason for coach Ron Bellamy and his team to get back to Ford Field again. The only question I have for West Bloomfield will be their quarterback and defensive line heading into the season. The Lakers have the talent for another deep playoff run.

Clarkston will ride their offensive lineman in 2018.

The Wolves fresh off winning their third State title in six years will be very different this season for coach Kurt Richardson. Clarkston will rely on their two Division One offensive lineman in Garrett Dellinger and Rocco Splinter this season. Both of them will be key if the Wolves want to repeat the same success they had last season. The schedule will be interesting for Clarkston as they have Grandville playing in Ann Arbor to open up and that's not mentioning Southfield, Lake Orion, Oxford, Adams, West Bloomfield, and a possible meeting with Oak Park. The Wolves will have a young team this season but anytime you have two Division One caliber offensive lineman to carry you, you’ll be in many football games.

Defense will be a question mark in Lake Orion.

The Dragons have had a struggle as of late, missing the playoffs three of the last four years, including last season under coach John Blackstock. The main problem has been the team’s defense. Lake Orion really struggled allowing 203 points last season and have allowed over 200 points four times since 2013 which is a big reason why they are 16-21 in that stretch. The schedule is not easy with games against Southfield, Clarkston, Oxford, Adams, Lapeer, Monroe, and West Bloomfield on the docket. The Dragons should be solid offensively with a ton of experience coming back but the defense will be the question if Lake Orion wants to be a playoff team this season.

How will Adams look in 2018???

The Highlanders had a successful season last season going back to Highlander football. The question for coach Tony Patrino’s team will be is can they sustain it??? Adams will have the quarterback and lineman to do well in their veer attack but the question will be the defense and whom will be the lead running back heading into the season. The Highlanders schedule is interesting with games against Oxford, Southfield, West Bloomfield, Lake Orion, Clarkston, and Harrison on the docket. It will be interesting to see what happens with Adams this season.