Written Monday August 23rd at 4:00 PM
Hello everyone and welcome to the 2021 Football season. It is shaping up to be a very good season this year. Here are your guest pickers.
Sammy Taormina-Host OAA Now, Between Taorminas known as Mr. Sandy Dunes.
Scott Burnstein-Host State Champs Sports Show, Blogger known as Burney.
Sean Cotter- North Farmington and Walled Lake Western film guy known as Cotter.
Tim English-High School Sports Fan known as Tim.
Keith Dunlap-WDIV freelance writer and High School Sports Fan known as Dunlap.
Dan Stickradt-North Oakland Sports writer known as Stick.
MR. SANDY DUNES 0-0
BURNEY 0-0
COTTER 0-0
TIM 0-0
DUNLAP 0-0
STICK 0-0
2. Adams at 1. West Bloomfield: This is shaping up to be a very interesting matchup of two different styles in the Swamp. The Highlanders are a veer team while the Lakers are a RPO team. If this turns up to be a physical game advantage Adams. If it turns out to be an RPO and athletic type advantage West Bloomfield. The Lakers have a new coach in Tyrice Grice taking over the program and have won the last four meetings over Adams. Whoever shows their will should win in the Swamp.
MR SANDY DUNES: WEST BLOOMFIELD 31, ADAMS 21.
BURNEY: WEST BLOOMFIELD 26, ADAMS 17.
COTTER: WEST BLOOMFIELD 38, ADAMS 7.
TIM: WEST BLOOMFIELD 35, ADAMS 7.
DUNLAP: WEST BLOOMFIELD 27, ADAMS 24.
STICK: ADAMS 21, WEST BLOOMFIELD 20.
3. Clarkston vs Davison at Michigan: This will be the fourth meeting between Davison and Clarkston. The Wolves are a much different team from last season especially up front without Cole Dellinger and Rocco Splinder whom are now playing College Football. Clarkston is very talented with their proven playmakers in quarterback Mike DePillo, running backs Davis York and Ethan Clark, linebacker Caleb Stallworth, among others. Davison has made the postseason the last six years and is very motivated according to their story on ABC 12 (WJRT-Flint, Saginaw, Bay City, and Midland.) The Cardinals were blown out 41-0 by West Bloomfield in the Division One State Finals last season. They want to get back to Ford Field. Davison has a fair share of proven playmakers in wide receiver Jaylen Flowers and quarterback Chandler Thrower coming back. The Cardinals are very strong at linebacker with Carter Herriman and Gabe Smith and up front with Tyler Dosh, Issac Norton, and Zane Richardson. It should be a very interesting game to say the least in Ann Arbor.
MR SANDY DUNES: CLARKSTON 28, DAVISON 14.
BURNEY: CLARKSTON 33, DAVISON 23.
COTTER: CLARKSTON 21, DAVISON 14.
TIM: DAVISON 28, CLARKSTON 21.
DUNLAP: DAVISON 28, CLARKSTON 21.
STICK: CLARKSTON 24, DAVISON 21.
4. Southfield Arts and Tech vs Detroit Cass Tech at Wayne State: There should be a ton of talent on display in Detroit. Both the Warriors and Technicians have new coaches in Marvin Rushing and Aaron Marshall. They have really good quarterbacks in Leeshawn Mumpfield and Isiah Marshall coming back. The supporting cast should be key in this game. Detroit Cass Tech has done very well against Southfield Arts and Tech when they were Southfield. This is a much different Warriors team than in years past. This is shaping up to be an interesting game that could decide the fate of both teams.
MR SANDY DUNES: DETROIT CASS TECH 27, SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 6.
BURNEY: DETROIT CASS TECH 24, SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 20.
COTTER: DETROIT CASS TECH 32, SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 14.
TIM: DETROIT CASS TECH 21, SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 7.
DUNLAP: DETROIT CASS TECH 27, SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 20.
STICK: DETROIT CASS TECH 28, SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 27.
5. Berkley at Bloomfield Hills: These are two teams that are no strangers to one another especially with what happened last season. 35-34 in overtime at Hurley Field is all the Bears had to be thinking about after seeing Sara Houston kick the winning PAT which sent Berkley’s season into a tailspin losing three of four to close the season. Bloomfield Hills was not the same team either. They lost two straight games to close their season including their first round postseason at home loss to Troy. The Bears have a ton of experience coming back. The Blackhawks have too many questions to figure out and their defense is very suspect. This could be a revenge game in the making.
MR SANDY DUNES: BERKLEY 41, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 14.
BURNEY: BERKLEY 33, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 27.
COTTER: BERKLEY 28, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 20.
TIM: BERKLEY 28, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 21.
DUNLAP: BLOOMFIELD HILLS 25, BERKLEY 17.
STICK: BERKLEY 33, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 28.
Romeo at 6. Oxford: These two schools are no strangers to one another even though one is in Oakland County while the other is in Macomb County. This will be the 7th straight meeting between these two rivals. It will be Coach Zach Line’s first game against the Bulldogs as a coach. The Wildcats scored only 10 points in the final four games last season. They made some strides in the offseason to be more from Line’s days with the New Orleans Saints in the NFL. Romeo wasn’t an offensive juggernaut in the regular season but they caught fire in the postseason which included wins over Macomb Dakota, New Baltimore Anchor Bay, and Stoney Creek all on the road. Both teams have very talented quarterbacks in Brady Carpenter and Logan Rolfs coming back. This is shaping up to be a smash mouth football game on the blue turf.
MR SANDY DUNES: OXFORD 31, ROMEO 24.
BURNEY: OXFORD 23, ROMEO 21.
COTTER: ROMEO 28, OXFORD 14.
TIM: ROMEO 35, OXFORD 14.
DUNLAP: ROMEO 31, OXFORD 20.
STICK: ROMEO 28, OXFORD 21.
Utica Eisenhower at 7. Lake Orion: It was an off year for the Dragons last season as they look to have a much better season. Lake Orion should be tested off the get go against a very good Eagles team on their home field. It is the 10th meeting between these two teams. Utica Eisenhower has had their fair share of struggles offensively but they are known for their defense which unusually struggled last season. Both teams are very good defensively. Utica Eisenhower improved offensively late into the season and has proven wide receivers in Aiden Himes, Ethan Barker, and Angelo Marku coming back for quarterback Preston Crumm. This will be a big test for the Dragons.
MR SANDY DUNES: LAKE ORION 24, UTICA EISENHOWER 14.
BURNEY: LAKE ORION 30, UTICA EISENHOWER 27.
COTTER: LAKE ORION 28, UTICA EISENHOWER 21.
TIM: UTICA EISENHOWER 35, LAKE ORION 7.
DUNLAP: UTICA EISENHOWER 27, LAKE ORION 24.
STICK: LAKE ORION 21, UTICA EISENHOWER 14.
Port Huron at 8. Stoney Creek: It was a magical season for the Cougars last season but they are a very young team this season. Stoney Creek should be tested against a very good Port Huron squad that has Joe Maiuri coming back at linebacker and Nash Phillips leading both offensive and defensive lines. The Big Reds are 16-5 in the last two seasons. This is the first meeting between these two teams. It should be a very interesting matchup to see whose style wins out in Rochester.
MR SANDY DUNES: STONEY CREEK 21, PORT HURON 14.
BURNEY: STONEY CREEK 23, PORT HURON 15.
COTTER: STONEY CREEK 35, PORT HURON 14.
TIM: PORT HURON 28, STONEY CREEK 7.
DUNLAP: STONEY CREEK 17, PORT HURON 14.
STICK: STONEY CREEK 16, PORT HURON 13.
10. Farmington at 9. North Farmington: “The Farmington Cup” is an interesting trophy to have in the city of Farmington. The Raiders have won “the Farmington Cup” the last two years over their rivals from Shiawassee Street. Both teams have very young quarterbacks in Alex Shelby and Dominic Peshi. Both teams have proven playmakers which makes this game the more interesting. This game could go down to who is deeper and whoever wins the battle up front. For the Falcons if they want to prove they belong they need to win this game and bring “the Farmington Cup” home at Ron Holland Field. Farmington Public Access TV 10 should be in line for another chapter of the battle of Farmington.
MR SANDY DUNES: NORTH FARMINGTON 27, FARMINGTON 24.
BURNEY: NORTH FARMINGTON 28, FARMINGTON 21.
COTTER: NORTH FARMINGTON 31, FARMINGTON 14.
TIM: NORTH FARMINGTON 35, FARMINGTON 7.
DUNLAP: NORTH FARMINGTON 31, FARMINGTON 7.
STICK: NORTH FARMINGTON 28, FARMINGTON 24.
Royal Oak at Ferndale: This is shaping up to be a very interesting game over on Pinecrest. Ferndale has won three straight over Royal Oak. The quarterback matchup between Hudson Siddle and Durrell Jones should be very interesting. Jones comes back to football while Siddle struggled last season and was replaced by Mekhi Jenkins whom gave them a spark. The Eagles should have the advantage up front with their linemen. The Ravens should have the advantage with the playmakers especially Jenkins and Jessie Hoisington. Ferndale have seemed to have found themselves, Royal Oak I’m not sure. There should be a ton of questions answered this week.
MR SANDY DUNES: FERNDALE 35, ROYAL OAK 14.
BURNEY: FERNDALE 25, ROYAL OAK 20.
COTTER: FERNDALE 42, ROYAL OAK 14.
TIM: FERNDALE 21, ROYAL OAK 7.
DUNLAP: FERNDALE 25, ROYAL OAK 24.
STICK: FERNDALE 21, ROYAL OAK 20.
Pontiac at Troy Athens: This will be the fourth meeting between the Phoenix and the Red Hawks. It looks like a complete mismatch on paper but that's on paper. Pontiac has changed a lot of things under new coach Ken Wade this offseason. They are 5-73 since 2012 Troy Athens is also improving as well but they are not the deepest of teams. I think the Red Hawks should win this game but the Phoenix could surprise some folks and if they keep it close, it's a start in the right direction.
MR SANDY DUNES: TROY ATHENS 16, PONTIAC 13.
BURNEY: TROY ATHENS 20, PONTIAC 19.
COTTER: TROY ATHENS 49, PONTIAC 6.
TIM: TROY ATHENS 28, PONTIAC 0.
DUNLAP: TROY ATHENS 42, PONTIAC 6.
STICK: TROY ATHENS 35, PONTIAC 19.
Avondale at Troy: Got to love trophy games early in the season. The Little Brown Jug is on the line at Troy between the Yellow Jackets and the Colts. This is the 33rd meeting all time between these two neighborhood rivals. Avondale won 22-0 in 2019. They didn’t play last season because of COVID-19 restrictions. The Yellow Jackets are 9-9 in the last two years. The quarterback battle between Max Stromberg and Jake Herzog is going to be very interesting. Something has to give in this game.
MR SANDY DUNES: AVONDALE 27, TROY 24.
BURNEY: TROY 29, AVONDALE 23.
COTTER: TROY 28, AVONDALE 22.
TIM: TROY 21, AVONDALE 14.
DUNLAP: TROY 17, AVONDALE 16.
STICK: TROY 21, AVONDALE 17.
Groves vs Dexter at Wayne State: This is shaping up to be an interesting game between the Falcons and the Dreadnoughts. Dexter had a strong year last season. Groves had a strong year as well but was forced to forfeit most of their season because of ineligible players. The Dreadnoughts have a ferocious defense which should test a very young Falcons offense. Dexter is 19-9 in the last three seasons. Groves is going to need to make plays if they want to be in it with Dexter in Detroit.
MR SANDY DUNES: DEXTER 24, GROVES 10.
BURNEY: GROVES 28, DEXTER 22.
COTTER: GROVES 35, DEXTER 28.
TIM: DEXTER 35, GROVES 28.
DUNLAP: DEXTER 28, GROVES 24.
STICK: GROVES 20, DEXTER 14.
Oak Park at Orchard Lake St. Marys: The Knights are coming off a Division Two State Semifinals appearance after being 0-6 in the regular season last year. They want to get back at the Catholic League after falling to Warren DeLaSalle in overtime last season. The Eaglets really struggled which was very unusual for them last season. Player personal should be very interesting as both teams are replacing a ton of talent from last season. The coaching matchup between George Porritt and Greg Carter is very interesting. Both coaches know each other. It is also Porritt’s last season coaching at Orchard Lake St. Marys. This should be very interesting to say the least on the red turf.
MR SANDY DUNES: ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARYS 24, OAK PARK 16.
BURNEY: OAK PARK 27, ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARYS 17.
COTTER: ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARYS 28, OAK PARK 12.
TIM: OAK PARK 21, ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARYS 17.
DUNLAP: ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARYS 21, OAK PARK 20.
STICK: ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARYS 22, OAK PARK 21.
Byron Center vs Seaholm: This is the first meeting between the Maples and the Bulldogs. They were supposed to meet last season but because of COVID-19 restrictions it didn’t happen. Byron Center is 17-3 in the last two seasons. They have a very young team with a proven wide receiver in Nathan Wieber this season. Seaholm has a very young team coming back and with not a lot of experience things could get very ugly very fast. The good news for the Maples is the game is in Birmingham so that’s a plus but the bad news is the Bulldogs are still very good.
MR SANDY DUNES: BYRON CENTER 20, SEAHOLM 7.
BURNEY: SEAHOLM 28, BYRON CENTER 22.
COTTER: BYRON CENTER 28, SEAHOLM 14.
TIM: BYRON CENTER 42, SEAHOLM 7.
DUNLAP: BYRON CENTER 20, SEAHOLM 17.
STICK: SEAHOLM 21, BYRON CENTER 16.
Macomb L’Anse Creuse North at Rochester: The Falcons are fresh off a very strong year. They were unbeaten for the first time since 1993 however was blown out by arch rival Adams 39-7 in the first round of the postseason last season. Rochester will like to start their season strong when they host a Crusaders program that is 8-24 since 2017. Macomb L’Anse Creuse North was very young last season but they should be improved. If the Falcons want to start a new streak this is a must win early because the schedule doesn’t get any easier from here.
MR SANDY DUNES: ROCHESTER 40, MACOMB L’ANSE CREUSE NORTH 14.
BURNEY: ROCHESTER 34, MACOMB L’ANSE CREUSE NORTH 24.
COTTER: ROCHESTER 40, MACOMB L’ANSE CREUSE NORTH 7.
TIM: ROCHESTER 42, MACOMB L’ANSE CREUSE NORTH 7.
DUNLAP: ROCHESTER 34, MACOMB L’ANSE CREUSE NORTH 7.
STICK: ROCHESTER 35, MACOMB L'ANSE CREUSE NORTH 14.
Ypsilanti at Harper Woods: This is a test run for the Pioneers before entering the OAA next season. Harper Woods really struggled last season despite playing a very tough schedule. The Grizzlies really struggled as well. Ypsilanti should be no match for the Pioneers and if they are, it could be a bad omen for them going forward.
MR SANDY DUNES: HARPER WOODS 41, YPSILANTI 14.
BURNEY: HARPER WOODS 30, YPSILANTI 20.
COTTER: HARPER WOODS 35, YPSILANTI 6.
TIM: YPSILANTI 21, HARPER WOODS 7.
DUNLAP: YPSILANTI 21, HARPER WOODS 17.
STICK: HARPER WOODS 21, YPSILANTI 14.
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