OAA Playoff Possiblities.

Written Thursday October 24th at 12:10 PM

Here are some possible scenarios that the MHSAA could look at when it comes to the OAA schools. I did include the 4-4 teams as well in the mix. I have included a postseason confidence factor for teams that are on the cusp of the postseason.

Division One.

Lake Orion: (POSSIBLE: North, East) The Dragons are in an interesting position to where they are at district wise. If Coach John Blackstock’s team were to go east then they could clash with Romeo, Adams, Utica Eisenhower, and possibly Chippewa Valley. If they head north with Davison, Lapeer, and Grand Blanc it will be interesting. Lake Orion went into Lapeer and won 17-7 in week one and also scrimmaged Davison. I don’t see the Dragons heading south or southwest right now but that could change. Either north or east seems logical at the moment.

West Bloomfield: (POSSIBLE: South, North, West) The Lakers are in a very interesting position because they can go anywhere in the postseason. If West Bloomfield goes north they could see Adams in the district and clash with Lake Orion in the regional pending if these two teams meet. If coach Ron Bellamy’s team goes south then I can see them clashing with Belleville and or Plymouth. The Lakers lost 13-10 to Belleville in the playoffs last season. I’m pretty sure the West Bloomfield faithful would like another shot at the Tigers. Another possibility is if the MHSAA where to send them west where they could see Brighton, Lansing Holt, or Novi Detroit Catholic Central if they beat Orchard Lake St. Marys in the Prep Bowl. I don't see them heading east, I would be shocked if they went east. There are plenty of options on the table for the Lakers as we speak when it comes to the postseason.

Adams: (POSSIBLE: Southwest, North, East) The Highlanders are in an very interesting spot because they can go anywhere whether it’s west, east, or north. If Adams goes southwest they could see West Bloomfield in the district finals. If they go north they could clash with Lake Orion. If they go east they could clash with Romeo, Utica Eisenhower, or city rival Stoney Creek. The Highlanders are a matchup nightmare for anyone because of the experience and veer offense that coach Tony Patritto has installed.

Stoney Creek: (POSSIBLE: East, West * Postseason Confidence Factor: 90 percent) The Cougars should be in a good spot if they beat Adams or not. I think their 5-4 would be strong enough for them to get into the postseason for the first time since 2013. Stoney Creek if they get to the postseason will either head west to see Lake Orion and Adams or they head east and likely see Utica Eisenhower at Sweinhart. The Cougars pending if they win could rematch Adams, which would be interesting but if your coach Nick Merlo you have to win first before the latter discussion begins.

Southfield Arts and Tech: (POSSIBLE: East * Postseason Confidence Factor: 25 percent) The Warriors will need to beat River Rouge to be in the playoff discussion. If they make the playoffs at 5-4 they could head east and see Chippewa Valley in the first round. It would be all for not if they lose to the Panthers.

Division Two.

Oak Park: (POSSIBLE: Southeast, West, Northwest) The Knights are in an interesting spot in the postseason. Oak Park has a ton of options to see where they go. If they go southeast they could clash with Detroit Martin Luther King in a district final. If they go west they would see Farmington, North Farmington, and possibly the Livonia schools (Livonia Franklin and Livonia Churchill. If they go northwest they would see Groves and Seaholm. I don’t see a scenario where the MHSAA could send Coach Greg Carter’s team east to see Sterling Heights or Macomb L’Anse Cruse because of the Port Huron schools (Port Huron and Port Huron Northern.) The Knights have a ton of options to see where they will head for the postseason.

Groves: (POSSIBLE: East, Southwest, Southeast, South) The Falcons if they beat Brownstown Woodhaven would have a ton of points to host multiple playoff games. Groves is in a real bad spot when you look at where they are located. If they head east then they would see Warren De LaSalle in the first round. If they head west or southwest then a clash with North Farmington or Farmington or Walled Lake Western seems possible. If they head southeast then they would see Oak Park. With probably the exception of North Farmington, Coach Brendan Flathery’s team could host multiple playoff games but the opponents will be fierce and tough.

Seaholm: (POSSIBLE: East, Southwest, Southeast * Postseason Confidence Factor: 75 percent) The Maples pending if they can beat Avondale. If Seaholm makes the playoffs they will likely be in the same district with Groves. If they head east it could be a nightmare because of Warren De LaSalle and Sterling Heights. If they head southeast they would clash with Oak Park. If they head southwest then they would clash with North Farmington and or Farmington. There is no clear cut spot for Coach Jim DeWald’s team but they would at least host a playoff game if they win on Friday.

Farmington: (POSSIBLE: South, Southeast, West, East) The Falcons are in a very interesting spot. They could go south and see the Livonia schools (Livonia Franklin and Livonia Churchill.) I just don’t see a scenario where Temperance Bedford comes that far north, I would be very surprised if that happens. Farmington could clash with North Farmington but with Fenton it is possible that the MHSAA could keep the Farmington schools separate. The Falcons could go east and see Oak Park or Detroit University Detroit Jesuit. I don’t know if I see Coach Kory Cicroch’s team heads north but right now south or east seems logical at the moment.

North Farmington: (POSSIBLE: West, South, East) The Raiders are likely to clinch their first ever undefeated season since 1970 but they could go anywhere in the postseason. North Farmington could go west and see Walled Lake Western and South Lyon. They could also head east and clash with Farmington, Groves, and Seaholm or even south and clash with both Livonia Franklin and Livonia Churchill. There are plenty of options for Coach Jon Herstein’s team to go. If they go west it could be a tough challenge, if they go east then it will be a tough. Probably the easiest path would be south for them but on the bright side all of those teams will head to North Farmington.

Ferndale: (POSSIBLE: Southeast * Postseason Confidence Factor: 45 percent) If the Eagles can beat Birmingham Detroit Country Day on the road then they should have enough playoff points to get in at 5-4. If they do then Ferndale could see either Detroit Martin Luther King, Oak Park, or Warren De LaSalle. If they lose then all is for not.

Avondale: (POSSIBLE: Unknown * Postseason Confidence Factor: 10 percent) The Yellow Jackets pending if they beat Seaholm will need a ton of luck and hope to go their way. If they do make the postseason then they could either be in Division Two or Division Three. It’s going to be a tough task either way for Avondale.

My Podcast this week.
https://soundcloud.com/user-539915961/oaa-now-10-21-19