Football Thoughts After Week Four.

Written Saturday September 21st at 10:15 AM

The OAA Football Season is well underway and in full swing. Here are my thoughts before heading to the Podcast room on Monday to analyze what has happened in four weeks around the league.

Adams: The Highlanders sit at a really nice spot at 3-1 after picking up a 27-7 home victory over Bloomfield Hills. Oddly this was the lowest that Adams has scored all season. The Highlanders still have a tough schedule looming with Seaholm this week but road trips to Southfield Arts and Tech, West Bloomfield, and Stoney Creek and a home game with Clarkston. Adams offense has been the huge catalyst scoring 149 points in four weeks. This is a red hot football team to keep an eye on which should make the “Gold Rush” very happy.

Lake Orion: The Dragons are off to a 4-0 start and a ton of credit goes to the players and coaches. Lake Orion still has to play West Bloomfield this week and Clarkston in a few weeks but they have been battle tested already which includes wins over Lapeer, Southfield Arts and Tech, Adams, and Oxford. The Dragons right now are clicking on all cylinders which should make coach John Blackstock ecstatic.

West Bloomfield: The Lakers have appeared to have gotten things on the right track since the tough 24-17 loss to Groves three weeks ago. West Bloomfield shut out Clarkston 24-0 last week behind a stout defense. The Lakers go to Lake Orion this week which should be a huge game but they still have Adams, Oxford, and the Catholic League fourth place team on the slate. West Bloomfield though has gotten things back on track which should have coach Ron Bellamy pleased.

Clarkston: The Wolves sit in a tough spot at 1-3 after falling 24-0 to West Bloomfield last week. Clarkston has some issues on both sides of the football. They have allowed 123 points in four games which is not good. The Wolves still have to play Oxford this week followed by Southfield Arts and Tech, Adams, and Lake Orion. It won’t be an easy stretch by any means for coach Kurt Richardson’s team.

Oxford: The Wildcats have a tough schedule looming after losing 35-0 to Lake Orion last week and Adams and Romeo prior to that putting them at 1-3. Oxford still has to play Oak Park, Southfield Arts and Tech, West Bloomfield, and Clarkston who they have this week. I have huge concerns for the Wildcats, they are going to need to open things up if they want to make some noise.

Southfield Arts and Tech: The Warriors sit at an interesting spot after last week’s 62-20 blowout of Troy Athens. Southfield Arts and Tech has Bloomfield Hills this week at home. They still have to play Oxford, Adams, Clarkston, and River Rouge in the last four weeks of the season. The Warriors will need to be in win out mode if they want to make a return to the playoffs.

Bloomfield Hills: The Blackhawks are struggling sitting at 0-4 after falling 27-7 to Adams last week on the road. Bloomfield Hills have allowed 157 points in four games which is not good. The Blackhawks will look to get back on track with a trip to Southfield Arts and Tech next week.

Groves: The Falcons suffered a tough loss to Oak Park 26-14 last week in Knight Valley. Groves will look to get on the right track this week with Troy Athens coming to Beverly Hills. The Falcons should be fine despite having their league hopes dashed for the moment. Groves has to play Seaholm, Stoney Creek, and Wyandotte so it won’t be an easy ride for the Falcons but they should be fine moving forward.

Oak Park: The Knights have bounced back in a big way since losing 20-14 to West Bloomfield in week one. Oak Park has played well lately which is why they sit at 3-1 with included last week’s 26-14 victory over Groves. The Knights schedule does lighten up a bit but they have games with Stoney Creek this week and games with Oxford and Seaholm still looming. Right now Oak Park is in the driver’s seat in the White.

Seaholm: The Maples have been rolling going 4-0 in the process which included a huge 20-13 win two weeks ago at Stoney Creek. The schedule toughens up starting this week with a trip to Adams. The Highlanders and Seaholm are mere images of each other running the veer. The Maples still have to play Groves and Oak Park. We’re going to see what coach Jim DeWald’s team is really made of in the next few weeks.

Stoney Creek: The Cougars sit at 3-1 and have appeared to be riding on all cylinders after last week’s 49-0 blowout of Troy. Stoney Creek will be tested in the next three weeks with games against Oak Park, Oxford, and Groves looming. The Cougars will need to win two of the three games that are looming if they want to make the playoffs. Coach Nick Merlo has this team in the right direction.

Troy Athens: The Red Hawks have taken a step back after a 2-0 start. Troy Athens fell to Stoney Creek 42-7 and 62-20 to Southfield Arts and Tech. They have been outscored 104-27 in those losses. The Red Hawks have already passed their win total this season. It won’t be easy with a trip to Groves this week but right now coach Billy Keenest’s team is leap years better than they were last season.

Rochester: The Falcons defense has given up a ton of points lately. They have played a brutal schedule which included the likes of Oak Park, Groves, Seaholm, and Adams. Rochester has been outscored 197-31 in that stretch which included a 42-7loss to Seaholm last week on the road. The schedule should lighten up for the Falcons with Troy this week but they have to go to Lake Orion and have Stoney Creek at home which are tricky games. The defense is the issue for coach Eric Vernon’s team right now.

Troy: The Colts have not scored a point at all this season which is a huge reason why they sit at 0-4. Troy lost 49-0 to Stoney Creek last week and have gotten outscored 157-0. The Colts still have to play Oak Park and Groves which won’t be easy games but they have an interesting game with Rochester this week. It’s hard to find any positives with Troy right now.

North Farmington: The Raiders are 4-0 for the first time since 1988 after a 68-0 blowout of Pontiac last week. North Farmington is improved everywhere and they are showing why. The Raiders have a tough task this week with Avondale. The Raiders are athletic, experienced, and talented. This has been the year thus far for North Farmington.

Farmington: The Falcons are sitting nicely at 4-0 after getting a big 35-21 victory over Ypsilanti Lincoln two weeks ago. Farmington should be getting more attention in the media. The Falcons should have no problem with Pontiac this week but they travel to Auburn Hills in two weeks. Farmington is clicking on all cylinders right now.

Avondale: The Yellow Jackets have gotten back on track winning two straight since the loss to Detroit Renaissance two weeks ago sitting at 3-1. Avondale has allowed 10 points in two weeks and have scored 79 points since that game. The Yellow Jackets have the teeth of the schedule looming in the next two weeks with the Farmington schools visiting Auburn Hills. They have North Farmington this week and then Farmington the following week. This is a team that I don’t want to see right now, they are starting to peak at the right time.

Ferndale: It looks like playoffs are out of the question for the Eagles especially with the schedule that is looming. Ferndale fell to Farmington 53-14 last week putting their record at 1-3. The Eagles still have to play Avondale, Allen Park, and Birmingham Detroit Country Day. Ferndale has allowed 122 points in four games which is not good. They will look to get back on track this week as they host Berkley.

Berkley: I have been very disappointed with the Bears now sitting at 0-4. I thought they would be improved but I was wrong. Berkley lost 50-7 to Pontiac Notre Dame Prep last week and they still have a tough schedule looming. The Bears defense has allowed 141 points in four games, that can’t happen if you want to improve. Berkley continues their three game road swing with a trip to Ferndale next week.

Royal Oak: The Ravens sit at 1-3 but suffered a tough 27-10 loss to Avondale last week. Royal Oak has a ton of injuries at the skill positions. The Ravens schedule doesn’t get any easier especially in the next two weeks with Southgate Anderson and North Farmington coming to Royal Oak. Playoffs look like it’s out of the question right now but they have to look forward to the future and keep battling.

Pontiac: It’s been a tough road for the Phoenix sitting at 0-4. Pontiac has been outscored 120-0 in the last two weeks. The schedule doesn’t get any easier this week with a trip to Farmington. The Phoenix can’t put their heads down. They must keep battling and battling no matter what the results hold.

My Podcast from this week.
https://soundcloud.com/user-539915961/oaa-now-092319