Football Thoughts After Week Nine.

Written Saturday October 26th at 9:30 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 two weeks around the league.

Adams: The Highlanders look to be gaining steam by beating Stoney Creek 21-14 to go to 7-2 on the season. Adams is in an interesting spot once selection Sunday comes. The Highlanders are a team that no one wants to see in their bracket.

Lake Orion: The Dragons took care of business on Friday night by beating Monroe 45-27. Lake Orion finishes the season at 8-1. They look to at least be getting at least one home game as of now they look to be going north once the selection show is announced on Sunday night.

West Bloomfield: The Lakers sent a huge statement by beating Warren De LaSalle 16-8 on Friday night at Wayne State. West Bloomfield will likely get one or maybe more games in the Swamp but at 8-1 they are in a really good spot.

Clarkston: The Wolves will have some questions this offseason as they were blown out 49-14 by Detroit Cass Tech on their home field on Friday night. Clarkston finishes the season at 3-6, their worst season since 2003. It will very interesting to see where this program is heading.

Oxford: The Wildcats fell 35-7 to Oak Park on Friday night to finish at 1-8. Oxford has a bright future coming up with the majority of their roster being young. The Wildcats could be very dangerous heading into next season.

Southfield Arts and Tech: The Warriors will have some questions this offseason to address after losing 31-24 to River Rouge keeping the team out of the playoffs for a third straight year at 4-5. Southfield Arts and Tech could be a team to watch this offseason. Something has to change if they want to get out of this funk.

Bloomfield Hills: The Blackhawks went on the road and beat Rochester 35-14 on Friday night to finish at 2-7. Bloomfield Hills should be better with the team likely changing divisions. The Blackhawks should be a team to watch next season.

Groves: The Falcons had it rough on Friday night in Brownstown Township. Groves allowed 49 points, the most anyone put on them all season. They also had three turnovers which didn't help things in a stunning 49-28 loss to Brownstown Woodhaven. The Falcons are in an interesting spot when it comes to their postseason journey. It wouldn’t surprise anyone if they are on the road on Sunday night.

Oak Park: The Knights had no problem with Oxford on Friday night blowing out the Wildcats 35-7. Oak Park looks to host multiple playoff games at 8-1. I’m really concerned about them being battle tested. They haven’t been tested since the Stoney Creek game where they had to survive 20-7 a few weeks ago.

Seaholm: The Maples are in the postseason after beating Avondale 63-31 on Friday night to finish at 6-3. Seaholm will likely be on the road next week when the selection show comes a calling.

Stoney Creek: The Cougars suffered a tough 21-14 loss to Adams on Friday night. Looking at the playoff points it doesn’t look good for Stoney Creek to get in at 5-4. It will be a tough call to see if the Cougars get into the postseason.

Troy Athens: The Red Hawks were blown out by Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 38-0 on Friday night to finish at 3-6. Troy Athens is making progress after winning one game last season. If the Red Hawks keep making progress then this team will head in the right direction.

Rochester: The Falcons have battled a slew of injuries but they fell 35-14 to Bloomfield Hills on Friday night to finish 1-8 on the season. Rochester will be an interesting to watch this offseason.

Troy: The Colts competed on Friday night with Berkley only to fall 27-14 to finish at 0-9 on the season. Troy was very young this season. It will be very interesting to see where the program goes from here.

North Farmington: The Raiders are undefeated for the first time since 1978 with a 46-22 victory over Ypsilanti Lincoln on Friday night. North Farmington won five games in three seasons until this year when they ran the table. The Raiders should have multiple playoff games at home heading into Division Two. It will be interesting to see what the MHSAA does with North Farmington on Sunday night.

Farmington: The Falcons didn’t play on Friday night leaving them at 7-1 but their playoff points took a bit of a hit. It wouldn’t surprise anyone if they are playing on the road when the selection show comes out on Sunday.

Avondale: The Yellow Jackets saw their season end on Friday night at the hands of Seaholm 63-31. It will be very interesting how Coach Corey Bell and his team will be next season after finishing 4-5. There are a lot of questions.

Ferndale: The Eagles had their opportunity to make the postseason however they were blown out 40-0 by Birmingham Detroit Country Day. Ferndale finished the season at 4-5. There will be a ton of questions where this team goes in the offseason.

Berkley: The Bears picked up a huge win to close out the season beating Troy 27-14 on the road. Berkley loses a lot of talent despite finishing at 2-7 this season. It is a process for Coach Sean Shields but next season they will need to make some progress.

Royal Oak: The Ravens fell to Flint Kearsley 56-21 on Friday night. Royal Oak finishes the season at 1-8. They had a ton of injuries and youth. The Ravens should be better heading into next season.

Pontiac: The Phoenix suffered a tough loss to Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard on Friday afternoon falling 58-6. Pontiac finishes the season at 0-9 and is 5-66 since 2011. It will be an interesting offseason for the Phoenix but they will need stability to continue the process.