Week Five Thoughts.

Written Friday September 24th at 11:00 PM

Berkley: The Bears made a huge statement on Friday night at Hurley Field by giving Troy Athens their first loss of the season 31-20. Berkley had four touchdowns from Savod Daniels. Daniels has really shown that he is the real deal. They are starting to put things together at the right time. Other than the second half disaster at Bloomfield Hills in week one they have been playing to my expectations. Berkley has Avondale looming next week.

Ferndale: The Eagles got back from COVID-19 protocol and it showed in their 21-0 loss to Avondale on Friday night. Ferndale has a tough matchup looming with Walled Lake Western on the road next week.

Farmington: It’s been a rough first year for Coach Jason Albrecht and the Falcons as Farmington got blown out 41-14 by Bloomfield Hills on Friday night. The Falcons have a lot of work to do going forward. They have Royal Oak next week.

Troy Athens: The Red Hawks took their first loss of the season on Friday night falling 31-20 to Berkley at Hurley Field. Trey Vincent and Andre Sheldon caught touchdown passes from Evan Bieber while Vincent also added a rushing score for Troy Athens. The Red Hawks goals are still in front of them especially for a league title. They have a huge game when Bloomfield Hills comes to town next week.

Troy: The Colts had a defensive battle with Dearborn Edsel Ford on Friday night but found a way to win 14-0. The defense has been the story for them. The final three games will define their season though but they are on the right track. They have Pontiac looming next week.

Avondale: The Yellow Jackets picked up a much needed win on Friday night by beating Ferndale 21-0. I'm not sure if Jake Herzog came back. Avondale needs to keep that momentum going. They head to Hurley Field to play Berkley next week.

Bloomfield Hills: The Blackhawks keep on rolling winning 41-14 over Farmington on Friday night. CJ Jackson has played really well but I need to see how he performs in a big game not name Berkley and there are a few that are on the horizon. I really haven’t been impressed by Bloomfield Hills despite their 5-0 record for a few reasons. They really haven’t been tested since the Berkley game as mentioned and Waterford Kettering is not as strong as first thought despite trailing 21-0 and scoring 42 unanswered points in that game. The Blackhawks should be tested next week when they play Troy Athens. That is my measuring stick game for Bloomfield Hills to see if they are for real or not.

Pontiac: This was a tough blow for the Phoenix not getting to play on Friday night. Pontiac has Troy next week in a tough matchup.

Royal Oak: The Ravens saw their game with Pontiac get cancelled. Royal Oak will travel to Farmington to play the Falcons next week.

Adams: The Highlanders were dominant on Friday night earning a homecoming win over Seaholm 35-0. Parker Picot has played very well thus far. Adams has a huge game looming next week with North Farmington.

North Farmington: The Raiders blew a 27-19 lead on Saturday afternoon only to fall to Rochester 32-27 at Stoney Creek. North Farmington is in some trouble a little bit. They have Adams looming next week.

Groves: Jaden Magnum has really paid dividends for the Falcons. They had a huge 22-14 overtime win over Oak Park on Friday night in Beverly Hills. Magnum has clearly helped Groves get back on track. They have Rochester looming next week.

Oak Park: The Knights are a weird team to figure out after falling 22-14 in overtime to Groves on Friday night. Oak Park’s strength of schedule could save them but they got to start winning games. They have Seaholm looming next week.

Rochester: Alex Bueno was the difference in the Falcons 32-27 stunner over North Farmington on Saturday afternoon. Rochester has been up and down but this is a huge win for Coach Eric Vernon and company. They have Groves looming next week.

Seaholm: It was a tough one for the Maples on Friday night falling 35-0 to Adams. Seaholm has Oak Park looming next week.

West Bloomfield: The Lakers earned a hard fought 28-21 win over Lake Orion on Friday night. Semaj Morgan and Dillon Tatum had big games. The defense had their fair shares of ups and downs. They need to shore this up next week with Clarkston looming in the Swamp.

Clarkston: The Wolves had to pick up a hard earned 20-17 win over Oxford on Friday night. Clarkston needed everything to beat a very good Wildcats team. The Wolves have a big one looming next week when they head to the Swamp to play West Bloomfield.

Lake Orion: The Dragons played much better despite falling 28-21 to West Bloomfield on Friday night. Lake Orion battled to the end which is a good thing going forward. They got to fix the penalties and their discipline. If they get that fixed, they are fine. The Dragons have Stoney Creek looming next week.

Southfield Arts and Tech: The Warriors have a lot of struggles on the road and it showed on Friday night which saw them lose to Stoney Creek for the second straight year 21-14 on Friday night. Southfield Arts and Tech is a mystery team. They have a really tough schedule starting with Oxford next week.

Oxford: I’ll tell you what, I have to give the Wildcats so much credit despite falling 20-17 to Clarkston on Friday night. They are getting better and had the Wolves on the ropes on their homecoming. Next week is a must win for Oxford when they play Southfield Arts and Tech. The sky is the limit for the Wildcats.

Stoney Creek: The Cougars proved they belong in the Red after a 21-14 win over Southfield Arts and Tech on Friday night. Gary Griffith’s defense and time possession football has been huge for Stoney Creek. The Cougars have Lake Orion looming next week.

Harper Woods: The Pioneers picked up a huge 34-27 win over Birmingham Detroit Country Day on Friday night. They have an unfortunate week off next week UNLESS, they pick up an opponent which looks possible and knowing Coach Rob Oden, they will play anyone.