Week One Picks.

Written Monday August 20th at 5:15 PM

Welcome to the 2018 OAA football season. We will pick games this season with my good friends in the media, here are the pickers for the season. Anthony Taormina-Host Between Taorminas and History Now on ONTV, Scott Burnstein-State Champs insider, Oakland Press sports writer, Keith Dunlap-Detroit Free Press sports writer, Dan Stickradt-North Oakland Sports president, and Sean Cotter-Farmington video coordinator. Anyway good luck everyone this season.

DUNES

TRAIN

DUNLAP

STICK

BURNEY

COTTER

1. Oak Park vs Utica Eisenhower @ Wayne State

This will be a rematch of last season’s 24-7 win by the Eagles over the Knights. There is a big difference from last season’s game to this year. Oak Park is loaded and could be scarier than last year. Utica Eisenhower has to replace their quarterback among other pieces. Line play will be key in this matchup but I don’t think the Knights will make a ton of mistakes like they did last season. It could get real ugly for coach Chris Smith and his team.

DUNES: OAK PARK 24, UTICA EISENHOWER 14

TRAIN: OAK PARK 49, UTICA EISENHOWER 28

DUNLAP: OAK PARK 18, UTICA EISENHOWER 14

STICK: OAK PARK 28, UTICA EISENHOWER 14

BURNEY: OAK PARK 31, UTICA EISENHOWER 23

COTTER: OAK PARK 20, UTICA EISENHOWER 14

2. West Bloomfield at 3. Groves

The Lakers have won two of the last three meetings against the Falcons however all of the meetings were in the Swamp. This season the game is in Beverly Hills. Groves size will be tested against the athleticism and talent that West Bloomfield has. Both teams are expected to be playoff teams but the question will be is whom will get off to a good start early.

DUNES: WEST BLOOMFIELD 21, GROVES 20

TRAIN: WEST BLOOMFIELD 35, GROVES 14

DUNLAP: WEST BLOOMFIELD 21, GROVES 13

STICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 28, GROVES 7

BURNEY: WEST BLOOMFIELD 28, GROVES 20

COTTER: WEST BLOOMFIELD 24, GROVES 21

North Farmington at 4. Harrison

The Raiders open the season with new uniforms and a new attitude. They have a ton of experience coming back but they haven’t beaten the Hawks since 1978. Harrison has a lot of experience coming back and athleticism as well. This will be an interesting one, experience favors North Farmington but talent favors the Hawks. Could this one be an upset trap in the making???

DUNES: HARRISON 42, NORTH FARMINGTON 14

TRAIN: HARRISON 35, NORTH FARMINGTON 7

DUNLAP: HARRISON 42, NORTH FARMINGTON 7

STICK: HARRISON 21, NORTH FARMINGTON 7

BURNEY: HARRISON 34, NORTH FARMINGTON 17

COTTER: HARRISON 49, NORTH FARMINGTON 0

5. Adams at Rochester

This could be an interesting matchup for the Falcons, knowing that they have not beaten their city rival in 22 years (1996.) Rochester has a ton of experience back along with three transfers that came into the program. The Highlanders fresh off making the playoffs for the second straight season has questions at whom will run the football for them. Adams could make some noise again this season but they’ll need to win this one. Could this be the year that the Falcons win this one, it would make Rochester alumni Keith Dunlap and Dan Stickradt happy.

DUNES: ROCHESTER 21, ADAMS 14

TRAIN: ADAMS 28, ROCHESTER 7

DUNLAP: ADAMS 24, ROCHESTER 13

STICK: ROCHESTER 21, ADAMS 20

BURNEY: ADAMS 34, ROCHESTER 28

COTTER: ADAMS 31, ROCHESTER 7

6. Southfield Arts and Tech vs Davison at Wayne State

Last season was insane between the Warriors and Cardinals at Wayne State with Davison winning 56-54 in three overtimes. It was one of those games that cost Southfield Arts and Tech a trip to the playoffs. This season, these two teams get to do it again but with some changes. The Cardinals have a new coach as Jacob Weingartz takes over the team. Weingartz was an assistant at Lapeer, formally coached at Lapeer East takes over for Kyle Zimmerman who resigned at the end of the season after his team was eliminated by Clarkston in the district finals. Davison will have Cannon Hall back to go up against an athletic Warriors defense that wants revenge in the worst way. Southfield Arts and Tech should be motivated heading into this game. It will be interesting if the Warriors can get a measure of revenge after last season.

DUNES: SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 35, DAVISON 21

TRAIN: SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 42, DAVISON 21

DUNLAP: SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 28, DAVISON 26

STICK: SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 35, DAVISON 14

BURNEY: SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 27 DAVISON 26

COTTER: SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 35, DAVISON 22

7. Clarkston vs Grandville @ Michigan

This will be the first meeting between the Wolves and the Bulldogs. Grandville lost a ton of talent from a season ago but so did Clarkston. It will be interesting to see which team and system shows up, could it be the Wolves running attack led by Jake Bellete and Jake Honstetter with linemen Rocco Splinder and Garrett Dellinger leading the way or will it be the Bulldogs Wing T offense and experience on defense that gives Clarkston trouble. A lot of questions will be answered in this matchup.

DUNES: GRANDVILLE 31, CLARKSTON 14

TRAIN: CLARKSTON 28, GRANDVILLE 27

DUNLAP: GRANDVILLE 35, CLARKSTON 20

STICK: CLARKSTON 21, GRANDVILLE 14

BURNEY: CLARKSTON 24, GRANDVILLE 22

COTTER: GRANDVILLE 35, CLARKSTON 31

Fraser at 8. Ferndale

This will be the first ever meeting between the Eagles and the Ramblers. Fraser has really struggled going 8-19 since 2015. Ferndale has been heading upward lately going 15-5 in the last two seasons. If the Eagles can address their quarterback situation than this Ferndale team will be riding on all cylinders again, Fraser has no chance in this game.

DUNES: FERNDALE 38, FRASER 0

TRAIN: FERNDALE 42, FRASER 0

DUNLAP: FERNDALE 24, FRASER 10

STICK: FERNDALE 20, FRASER 14

BURNEY: FERNDALE 28, FRASER 24

COTTER: FERNDALE 35, FRASER 13

9. Avondale at Troy

This is a rematch of a 48-25 that the Colts won in Auburn Hills. The win got Troy into the playoffs for the first time since 2009. This season the game is in Troy. The Colts have a ton of skill players back but the Yellow Jackets are loaded everywhere but depth is a concern for this team. Avondale will be riding a lot of motivation heading into this game. It could get interesting.

DUNES: AVONDALE 35, TROY 21

TRAIN: AVONDALE 35, TROY 7

DUNLAP: TROY 31, AVONDALE 10

STICK: AVONDALE 21, TROY 20

BURNEY: AVONDALE 27, TROY 23

COTTER: AVONDALE 33, TROY 18

10. Lake Orion vs Lapeer @ Michigan

This will be the first meeting between the Dragons and Lightning. Lapeer has a ton of playoff experience back for coach Mike Smith led by their quarterback Brady Apple and running back Jalen Kirkland. Lake Orion whom is 16-21 since 2014 has most of their offense back from last season led by quarterback Blaze Lauer whom is hungry to get back to prominence. Both of these teams know each other well from scrimmaging one another in the past. This one will be interesting to watch for sure.

DUNES: LAKE ORION 35, LAPEER 28

TRAIN: LAKE ORION 27, LAPEER 24

DUNLAP: LAKE ORION 23, LAPEER 20

STICK: LAPEER 21, LAKE ORION 17

BURNEY: LAKE ORION 28, LAPEER 27

COTTER: LAKE ORION 24, LAPEER 21

Romeo at Oxford

This will be the fifth straight year that the Wildcats and the Bulldogs will play each other. Romeo holds a 23-6 overall record in the series but Oxford has won the last two on their home field. The Bulldogs will be led by their star linebacker Brock Horne and lineman Eric Fraeyman. The Wildcats feature their own talent in Drew Carpenter and Trent Myre. If these two guys show up and play well then Oxford could win their third straight on the blue turf over Romeo.

DUNES: OXFORD 20, ROMEO 17

TRAIN: ROMEO 35, OXFORD 17

DUNLAP: ROMEO 27, OXFORD 13

STICK: ROMEO 28, OXFORD 21

BURNEY: ROMEO 33, OXFORD 23

COTTER: ROMEO 26, OXFORD 14

Utica at Bloomfield Hills

This will be the first meeting between the Blackhawks and the Chieftains. Bloomfield Hills and Utica were playoff teams last season (Bloomfield Hills lost to West Bloomfield, Utica lost to Utica Eisenhower in the pre-districts.) Both teams are replacing a ton of talent and have tough schedules awaiting them. It will be important who wins this game knowing that it could be a long year for both teams.

DUNES: BLOOMFIELD HILLS 28, UTICA 24

TRAIN: BLOOMFIELD HILLS 17, UTICA 14

DUNLAP: BLOOMFIELD HILLS 21, UTICA 20

STICK: BLOOMFIELD HILLS 21, UTICA 7

BURNEY: BLOOMFIELD HILLS 21, UTICA 18

COTTER: BLOOMFIELD HILLS 28, UTICA 21

Utica Ford at Stoney Creek

This will be a rematch of a 19-12 game last season won by the Cougars at Runkel Field. Both teams have new coaches, Stoney Creek has Nick Merlo coaching this season and he has brought a different culture to the school. Utica Ford is going through a ton of emotions as their coach Todd Koehn, whom was a former Stoney Creek assistant coach passed away in early July as Tony Smith takes over as the Falcons interim coach. This will be an interesting game to say the least in Rochester.

DUNES: STONEY CREEK 21, UTICA FORD 18

TRAIN: UTICA FORD 16, STONEY CREEK 14

DUNLAP: UTICA FORD 14, STONEY CREEK 10

STICK: UTICA FORD 21, STONEY CREEK 14

BURNEY: STONEY CREEK 24, UTICA FORD 20

COTTER: UTICA FORD 18, STONEY CREEK 13

Troy Athens at Seaholm

This will be an interesting matchup as the Red Hawks and Maples will play each other for the first time since 1999. Both teams are looking for bounce back seasons. Troy Athens has a new coach in Billy Keenest who will be tasked to turn around a 14-42 record. Seaholm had a rough year going 1-8 but coach Jim DeWald will have his team ready for this matchup. This will be a great quarterback matchup in the Maple Forest between Bobby Birney and Gray Kinnie. This game will be determined whom wins the defensive battle, both teams have struggled in this area but whoever’s defense shows up wins this game.

DUNES: TROY ATHENS 27, SEAHOLM 24

TRAIN: TROY ATHENS 24, SEAHOLM 21

DUNLAP: SEAHOLM 17, TROY ATHENS 14

STICK: SEAHOLM 14, TROY ATHENS 7

BURNEY: TROY ATHENS 20, SEAHOLM 17

COTTER: SEAHOLM 21, TROY ATHENS 13

Berkley at Farmington

This will be a rematch between the Bears and the Falcons which will take place at Farmington. Last season, Berkley beat Farmington 28-23 at Hurley Field. The Bears have a new coach in Sean Shields who comes from Madison Heights Bishop Foley but knows the Bears well coaching their Junior Varsity team two years ago after a disappointing 1-8 season. The Falcons revamped their whole coaching staff as John Goddard comes as an assistant to Kory Cioroch after a disappointing 3-6 season. Whomever wins this game will gain some confidence in the Blue early.

DUNES: FARMINGTON 31, BERKLEY 17

TRAIN: FARMINGTON 28, BERKLEY 24

DUNLAP: FARMINGTON 23, BERKLEY 13

STICK: FARMINGTON 20, BERKLEY 14

BURNEY: FARMINGTON 31, BERKLEY 23

COTTER: FARMINGTON 32, BERKLEY 21

Detroit University Prep at Hazel Park

This will be the first meeting between the Vikings and the Panthers. Hazel Park made the playoffs for the first time since 2010 last season. Detroit University Prep but is one game over 500 (9-8) since the 2015 season. The Vikings have basically replaced everyone but four players from last season. We’ll see how this one goes.

DUNES: DETROIT UNIVERSITY PREP 20, HAZEL PARK 14

TRAIN: DETROIT UNIVERSITY PREP 49, HAZEL PARK 13

DUNLAP: DETROIT UNIVERSITY PREP 24, HAZEL PARK 17

STICK: HAZEL PARK 14, DETROIT UNIVERSITY PREP 6

BURNEY: DETROIT UNIVERSITY PREP 21, HAZEL PARK 20

COTTER: HAZEL PARK 18, DETROIT UNIVERSITY PREP 6

Detroit Consortium at Pontiac

This will be the first ever meeting between the two schools at Wisner Stadium. Detroit Consortium is on a four game losing streak after starting the season 5-0 last season. The Phoenix are 4-49 since 2011 and are looking to write their own chapter. If Pontiac can win this game and start 1-0, it will certainly go a long way.

DUNES: PONTIAC 18, DETROIT CONSORTIUM 15

TRAIN: DETROIT CONSORTIUM 27, PONTIAC 6

DUNLAP: DETROIT CONSORTIUM 20, PONTIAC 6

STICK: DETROIT CONSORTIUM 14, PONTIAC 7

BURNEY: DETROIT CONSORTIUM 26, PONTIAC 16

COTTER: DETROIT CONSORTIUM 21, PONTIAC 8

Royal Oak at St. Clair Shores Lakeview

This will be the third meeting between the Ravens and the Huskies. Both teams split 21-0 victories on their home fields, St. Clair Shores Lakeview two seasons ago, Royal Oak last season. Both teams are also rebuilding a bit. The Huskies went 2-7 last season while the Ravens made the playoffs for the first time since 2006. I’ll be curious how Royal Oak will adjust on the road in St. Clair Shores against the Wing T of the Huskies. If the Ravens can shut it down again, it should give them some confidence.

DUNES: ST. CLAIR SHORES LAKEVIEW 21, ROYAL OAK 14

TRAIN: ST CLAIR SHORES LAKEVIEW 17, ROYAL OAK 14

DUNLAP: ROYAL OAK 21, ST. CLAIR SHORES LAKEVIEW 20

STICK: ROYAL OAK 28, ST. CLAIR SHORES LAKEVIEW 17

BURNEY: ROYAL OAK 30, ST. CLAIR SHORES LAKEVIEW 25

COTTER: ST. CLAIR SHORES LAKEVIEW 31, ROYAL OAK 7