Looking at the OAA Football Non-Conference Opponents.

Written Wednesday August 1st at 4:50 PM

Hello all and happy August which means football is near. So here are some of the non-conference OAA games that could have an impact for 2018.

I did not include OAA vs OAA matchups for this article because they are in the league as a whole.

Here are the non league matchups.

Week One

Utica Eisenhower (vs Oak Park at Wayne State): This will be the second meeting between the Eagles and the Knights that will be back at Wayne State. Utica Eisenhower had a ton of experience led by quarterback Max Whitmur. They shockingly blew out Oak Park 24-7 last season at Wayne State in the Prep Kickoff Classic. The Knights will be looking for revenge as coach Greg Carter brings in a loaded team that is filled with Division One prospects. The Eagles have made the playoffs 18 of the last 19 seasons are well known for their defense under coach Chris Smith which hasn't changed since Smith took over the team following the retirement of Bob Lantzy in 2012. They have 10 starters coming back but they need to replace their quarterback which is expected to be Blake Rastigue. Utica Eisenhower has running back Caleb Oyster, defensive back/wide receiver Ian Kennelly, wide receiver Massimo D'Aristolle, lineman Zach Petkoff, and defensive end JaiJavante Reid returning. I can see this one being a different outcome than last season but if Oak Park can take care of the football and limit turnovers like they couldn’t do last season against the Eagles then it could be a different outcome.

Utica Ford II (at Stoney Creek): This is a very dangerous matchup for the Cougars as they welcome the Falcons of Utica Ford II to Rochester Hills. This will be the second meeting between the teams with Stoney Creek winning at Runkel Field 19-12 last season. The reason why this is a dangerous matchup for the Cougars is that they are going through a transition themselves as Nick Merlo takes over the team and fix a program that has went 8-19 since 2015 and also what the Falcons have went through this offseason. Utica Ford II and its community lost their head coach Todd Kohen whom passed away unexpectedly in early July. Interim coach Tony Smith whom was the team’s defensive coordinator has taken over the team. Koehn used to be an assistant at Stoney Creek prior to taking the job at Utica Ford II. The Falcons have some talent led by lineman Luke Champp whom said in an interview with the Macomb Daily that the team will dedicate the season to Kohen during the Macomb Area Conference Media Day. This matchup as mentioned will be very dangerous for the Cougars even though they are at home.

Grandville (vs Clarkston at Michigan): The defending State Champs will be tested when they take on a Grandville team that will be replacing a ton of talent from a team that made the playoffs four straight seasons but they have a ton of talent returning for coach Eric Stiegel this season. Grandville should be familiar with Clarkston as they played in softball a few years ago and the Wolves played one of the Bulldogs, Ottawa Kent Conference Red rivals in Holland West Ottawa in the regional final last season in Holland. Grandville runs a Wing T offense which could give Clarkston some trouble in this matchup because the Wolves have not seen a team that runs this offense in a long while. The Bulldogs will have linebackers Keith Bush, Jake Paganelli, running backs Shane Baker, Noah Atwell, Nate Nielson, and Camron Terry, along with lineman Connor Krauss, and Landon Poll who is converting from wide receiver to quarterback this season. The Panthers are 27-15 since 2014. It will be the first meeting between the two teams. Clarkston is replacing a ton of their skill position players but the Wolves strength will be up front led by their two top linemen in Rocco Splinter and Garrett Dellinger. It will be an interesting matchup to say the least.

Lapeer (vs Lake Orion at Michigan): This will be an interesting matchup between the Dragons and the Lightning. These teams know each other well from scrimmaging against one another in years past. This will be the first meeting between the teams. Lake Orion comes into this matchup 16-21 since 2015 having missed the playoffs three of the last four years. Lapeer is 33-9 since then, making the playoffs since they merged Lapeer East and Lapeer West. Lapeer is 2-4 against the OAA with those four losses against Clarkston. The Lightning is expected to be one of the best teams in the Saginaw Valley and they have a lot of talent coming back for coach Mike Smith. Lapeer runs a Wing T from the spread formation at times. The offense is led by quarterback Brady Apple and running back Jalen Kirkland. Both of them had big seasons last year and look to have repeat performances again this year. Apple also is the team's kicker as well. The Lightning also have tight end Carson Currie, lineman Luke O'Brien, and wide receiver Drew Johnson. They are solid defensively led by linebacker Phoenix Dickson and lineman Will Sollie. It will be an interesting matchup, both teams very similar going at it. We shall see what happens.

Romeo (at Oxford): This will be the fifth straight meeting between the Wildcats and Bulldogs with this year's meeting being on the blue turf. Romeo is 23-6 all time against Oxford which is something the Wildcats need to change. The last time the Bulldogs came into Oxford as the defending Division One State Champs, the Wildcats stunned Romeo 27-26 in that game. They have won the last two meetings in the series on its home field but elsewhere the Bulldogs have won the other two whether it was at Dan Barnabo Field or at Michigan Stadium by a combined 77-17 including last season’s 30-17 win over Oxford. Romeo has gone through some changes this offseason as they now have one coach instead of co-coaches. Curt Rienas now takes over the team with Jason Couch moving onto coach College Football at Alma College. The Bulldogs loaded with talent led by Brock Horne and Eric Fraeyman. They also had an undefeated Junior Varsity team that is coming up with them. The Wildcats will be tested that is for sure.

Utica (at Bloomfield Hills): This will be the first meeting between these two teams. Both teams were playoff teams last season but they will be different this season. Utica will be replacing a ton of talent from a team that made the playoffs while Bloomfield Hills will be doing the same. The Chieftains are 24-40 since 2010 while the Blackhawks are 15-5 in the last two seasons. It will be interesting whom wins this game because it gives the winner a great start with tough schedules looming for each team.

Davison (vs Southfield Arts and Tech at Wayne State): This will be the second meeting between the Warriors and the Cardinals after last season’s 56-54 triple overtime win by Davison at Wayne State. The Cardinals will be different this season as Drake Reid, the team's top running back has graduated and is now at Grand Valley State. Also they have a new coach in Jacob Weingartz. Weingartz takes over for Kyle Zimmerman whom resigned this offseason comes to Davison from Lapeer where he was an assistant under Mike Smith. Weingartz coached at Lapeer East until the school merged with Lapeer West in 2014 to become Lapeer. The Cardinals went 9-2 last season returns quarterback Cannon Hall and all around athlete Michael Jamerson. Southfield Arts and Tech has had this game circled on their calendars all year long and could be looking for revenge heading to Wayne State.

Fraser (at Ferndale): The Ramblers and Eagles will have their first ever meeting this season. Fraser is 8-19 since 2015 and they have a tough schedule to open up with this game and then Macomb Dakota the following week. Ferndale is 15-5 since 2016 and will look to continue their playoff streak to three years. The Ramblers will hope to make some progress this season in the Macomb Area Conference Blue.

St. Clair Shores Lakeview (vs Royal Oak): This has become quite a rivalry between the Ravens and the Huskies. Usually the winner of this game as made the playoffs and had 21-0 wins in the process. Two years ago it was St. Clair Shores Lakeview that won in St. Clair Shores and last season it was Royal Oak that returned the favor. The Huskies went 2-7 last season but will have the Ravens in St. Clair Shores. Royal Oak has to replace a ton of talent from a team that made the playoffs for the first time since 2006 last season. This will be the third meeting between the two teams. It will be a tough match up for the Ravens going up against a Wing T team like St. Clair Shores Lakeview.

Detroit University Prep (at Hazel Park): This will be the first meeting between the Vikings and the Panthers. Detroit University Prep has the made the playoffs four straight years from 2012-2015 but is 9-8 since. The Panthers will be taking on a Hazel Park team that only has four returning players from a team that made the playoffs for the first time since 2010. Detroit University Prep will present some matchup problems for an inexperienced Vikings team. We shall see what happens in this matchup.

Detroit Consortium (Voyageur) (at Pontiac): The Cougars will present a tough and difficult challenge for the Phoenix to open up at Wisner Stadium. It will be the first meeting between the two programs. Detroit Consortium went 5-4 last season after a 5-0 start. What hurt them down the stretch was that they lost four straight games costing them a trip to the playoffs last season which would had been their first since 2012. The Cougars are 19-27 since their 2012 district final loss to Monroe St. Mary's Catholic Central. Pontiac will have their own share of challenges as they will look to overcome a 4-49 record since 2011 and write their own chapter. It will be an interesting matchup to say the least.

Week Two

Warren Fitzgerald (at Avondale): The Spartans have been red hot lately making the playoffs four straight years and they are no strangers to facing OAA teams, just ask Hazel Park but they lost to Harrison in the playoffs last season. This season, Warren Fitzgerald will take on a Yellow Jackets team that will score in bunches. The Spartans are very quick and talented led by Quanelle Pritchett and well coached under Gary Skop. It could be a high scoring matchup between these two teams in Auburn Hills. We know for sure that Avondale can score with anyone.

Week Three

Warren Lincoln (at Berkley): The Abes are 4-4-1 against the Bears all time but this will be the first meeting since 1958 between the two former Inner-Lakes Conference rivals. Warren Lincoln has not made the playoffs since 2008 when they went 8-2 and has struggled recently going 26-55 since 2009. Berkley is now on their third coach in three years as Sean Shields takes over the program in which they had a rough season going 1-8. This could be a great opportunity for the Bears to get a win at Hurley Field.

Week Four

South Lyon (vs Seaholm): This will be an interesting matchup of two teams trying to find their way this season when the Maples take on the Lions. South Lyon went 1-8 last season, which was their worst season since 1975 but they have about 20 players that have Varsity experience returning for coach Jeff Hanson and their Junior Varsity went 8-1 last season. The Lions are 10-18 since 2015 with one playoff appearance. Seaholm is 11-27 since 2013 which is something they would like to change. It’s a good matchup for both teams and it’s the first meeting between the two teams.

Week Five

Birmingham Detroit Country Day (at Ferndale): The Yellow Jackets had an unexpected setback last season, not making the playoffs (went 4-5 last season) after making the playoffs 11 straight years that included four State final appearances. Birmingham Detroit Country Day lost 17-7 to the Eagles last season in Beverly Hills. It will be the second meeting all time between the teams. The Yellow Jackets have their fair share of talent but Ferndale has their own fair share of talent as well. It will be a make or break game like last season for both teams.

Week Six

Madison Heights Madison (vs Farmington):  I got to wonder what in the heck the Falcons and coach Kory Cicroch gotten themselves into playing this game??? The Eagles are a football power making the playoffs for 12 straight seasons and are well coached under James Rogers. What has helped Madison Heights Madison is they added former Novi Detroit Catholic Central quarterback Austin Brown. Brown has taken two teams to the brink of State titles while he was at Novi Detroit Catholic Central and when he was at Madison Heights Madison last season taking them to the State Semifinals in Division Seven. The Eagles are one of the favorites again to get to Ford Field in Division Seven behind Brown. Farmington has a good defense which should test Brown but the offense could be a problem in this matchup.

Week Seven

Madison Heights Lamphere (vs Hazel Park): This could be a preview of what the Vikings will be seeing in the future once they get to the Macomb Area Conference. The Rams are well coached, talented, and have improved drastically since Jeff Glynn took over the program. Madison Heights Lamphere (5-5) won the Macomb Area Bronze title and was a playoff team last season. Hazel Park only has three returning players from a team that made the playoffs last season but the Rams are loaded again this season and could make some noise in the Macomb Area Conference. The Vikings are 1-1 all time against Madison Heights Lamphere. It could be a tricky ride for Hazel Park in Madison Heights.

Week Eight

Macomb Lutheran North (at North Farmington): The Raiders will have an interesting test at home with Macomb Lutheran North. It will be the first meeting between the two teams. The Panthers went 3-6 last season which was rough. They played two OAA teams in Avondale (41-20) and Royal Oak (42-6) and lost by a combined 83-26. North Farmington went 2-7 last season which was a major improvement after going 0-9 two years ago. The Raiders could be in playoff contention by then but the process continues for North Farmington in this matchup.

Detroit Edison (at Royal Oak): This will be the first meeting between the Ravens and the Pioneers. Detroit Edison finished 2-7 last season. They have not made the playoffs in their six year history (started in 2012.) The Pioneers have met only one other OAA team and that was Farmington where they lost 47-0. It will be an interesting game to say the least but on paper this is a game to which Royal Oak should win.

Week Nine

Catholic League Central Fourth Place team (at West Bloomfield): Whomever finishes last place in the Catholic League Central will take on the Lakers in the Swamp. If it is Orchard Lake St. Marys then it will be a rivalry game as both schools are close to each other. West Bloomfield has never played Novi Detroit Catholic Central, Orchard Lake St. Marys, Birmingham Brother Rice, or Warren De LaSalle in their history. It will be a great test to see where the Lakers stand out heading into the postseason.

River Rouge (vs Southfield Arts and Tech): It could a college football's dream paradise when these two teams meet for the first time. Both teams will have Division One college prospects on the field. The Warriors and their top talent could be in for an interesting matchup against the Panthers in Wayne County. River Rouge has made the playoffs seven years straight is loaded with talent for coach Corey Parker. The Panthers are led by defensive end's Jaylen Henderson, Ruke Orhorhoro, defensive backs Daraun McKinney, Kamal Hadden, Javion Guerrero, tight end Cam Davis, quarterback Emanuel Ferguson, quarterback Mehil Hunt, linebacker Yusif Abdul-Aziz, running backs Caleef Jenkins, D’Andre Bulley, wide receivers R'montaye Caldwell, Xavier Smith, and linemen DaKare Spicer and Dontrell Walker. River Rouge is 77-19 since 2010 and play a very brutal schedule this season which includes playing Detroit Cass Tech early. It will be an interesting matchup for Southfield Arts and Tech and to see where they are at and if they could be in playoff contention (they went 4-5 last season.) The Panthers are a very good opponent, they could win the Michigan Metro Blue Conference title again and make a deep playoff run.

Monroe (vs Lake Orion): This will be the second meeting between the Dragons and the Trojans with Lake Orion beating Monroe 41-22 in the playoffs in 1998. The Trojans are 7-11 since 2016 but they play in a very tough Southeastern Conference. Monroe has some talent to work with in defensive back/running back Mailek Linton, lineman PJ Brown, and linebacker Hayden Brooks. The Dragons bring a solid offense to the party but have had struggles as of late including a disappointing 3-6 season last year. Lake Orion and Monroe will be an interesting matchup to say the least.

Redford Thurston (vs Ferndale): This could be interesting between the Eagles and the Eagles because it will be Ferndale that will travel to Redford for this matchup. Redford Thurston leads the all time series 2-1 with this being the first meeting since 2009 when Redford Thurston won 21-0. Redford Thurston was a playoff team last season finishing with a 7-4 record under coach Bob Snell whom has been there for 31 years. Redford Thurston is expected to be one of the top teams in the Western Wayne Athletic Conference has running back Leon Futchess, linebacker Xavier Coleman, and receivers Keshawn Ware and Javonne DuBose. Both these teams should be playoff teams heading this season. Ferndale will have to replace their starting quarterback which they should have done by this point in the season. It will be a great matchup to see in Ferndale between these two teams.

Detroit Academy Science and Math (at Hazel Park): The Cobras are 8-44 (went 2-7 last season) in their existence as a program since they became a school in 2012. The Vikings meanwhile at one point was 3-33 since 2011 but they made the playoffs last season for the first time since 2010. Hazel Park has only four returning players in their final season in the OAA before they depart to the Macomb Area Conference next season. It will be interesting to see how the Vikings do in a matchup that they should be favored heading into this game. This is the first meeting between these two teams.

Monroe Jefferson (at Royal Oak): This will be a rematch of a game that took place between these two teams in Monroe to which the Ravens beat the Bears 17-0 in week nine last season which sent Royal Oak into the playoffs for the first time since 2006. Monroe Jefferson will have to come north to Royal Oak and face a Ravens team either that will be well rested or could be battling yet again for a playoff spot. Royal Oak has to replace a ton of guys from last seasons team that made the playoffs for the first time since 2006. It will be an interesting matchup, I wonder if the Bears will come up north ready to play that's going to be the question.

Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard (at Pontiac): The Phoenix are going to have their hands full in the final game of the regular season at Wisner Stadium with a very good Pioneers team. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard was a playoff team last season (went 9-2) and plays in the tough Catholic League. Pontiac’s lack of depth will be tested in this tough matchup that is for sure. This will be the first meeting between the two teams.

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