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
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