Why Birmingham Marian needs to be on Upset Alert.

Written Thursday October 28th at 11:10 AM

Updated Saturday October 30th at 10:30 AM

Birmingham Marian is the defending Division One State Champions in Volleyball.

They have gotten a ton of press in the State rankings and even made multiple appearances on State Champs.

Birmingham Marian is very talented led by Sarah Sylvester, Ava Brizard, Ava Sarafa, Gabi Hock, among others. They also have program strength as well.

I have seen the highlights from the Beast of the East Tournament, their games against Farmington Hills Mercy, and the Catholic League tournament. They have been dominant all season. I have seen the praise, they are very good. There is a reason why they are the top team in Division One.

They have the talent to repeat as Division One State Champions and have the confidence to back it up.

They are the favorite to win it all.

Sometimes though having too much confidence is very dangerous.

They have the perfect makings of Anakin Skywalker from Star Wars. He a cunning warrior. Skywalker was deemed “The Hero with No Fear” in Star Wars Revenge of the Sith in both the movie and the book. 

I took some passages from the novel “Star Wars Revenge of the Sith” by Matthew Stover, to which describes the Mustangs and the similarities are quite familiar.

Here are a few of them.

“The dark is generous and it is patient, it is the dark that seeds cruelty into justice, that drops contempt into compassion, that poisons love with grains of doubt. The dark can be patient because the slightest drop of rain will cause those seeds to sprout. The rain will come and the seeds will sprout for the dark is the soil in which they grow and it is the clouds above them and it waits behind the star that gives them light. The dark’s patience is infinite, eventually stars burn out.”

I’m pretty sure that the players and Coach Mayssa Cook welcomes this role of being the hunted. They were the hunters last season which saw them beat Farmington Hills Mercy, Clarkston, and Lowell on route to the Division One State title.

The Mustangs have certainly earned their rank thus far with their play.

However with that success, the dangers and fears are out there. Some in the media have already started to crown them as back to back State Champions even though the postseason hasn't begun yet.

The Mustangs are in a very tough district despite having home court however Farmington Hills Mercy, Seaholm, and Bloomfield Hills should provide tough challenges even though they are on the other side of the district. They host Farmington in the district semifinals before facing one of the three top teams mentioned in the district final.

Should they win the district then a real difficult challenge awaits once they get to the regional.

Birmingham Marian could clash with host Novi in a regional semifinal. The Wildcats were a final four team last season. The Mustangs were the two time MHSAA Class A. State Champions in 2011 and was pretty much rolling into the regional semifinals. They played Lake Orion in the regional semifinals at Lake Orion. The Dragons used the home court advantage and stunned Birmingham Marian in four games and earned their way to the regional finals. The crowd and the atmosphere was pretty intense. I announced that match and remember losing my voice while announcing during the fourth set of that game. It's very difficult to play an actual road game in a hostile environment in the postseason, that’s what happened to the Mustangs that night. It could be the same feeling if Birmingham Marian and Novi meet in front of the Wildcats home crowd in the regional semifinals.

If Birmingham Marian were to win that match then they would likely see a Red heavyweight in either Lake Orion or Clarkston in the regional finals. Both teams are really stout even though the Mustangs had their way with both teams during the regular season. The Wolves were also in the final four last season and fell to the Mustangs in the Division One State semifinals in four games.

All of it pending though if all four teams makes it to regionals.

If they get by the regional then they could see possibly Hudsonville, Rockford, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, or Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central in the later rounds.

Birmingham Marian should expect to get everyone’s best shot in the postseason. 

The Mustangs have risen to the challenge thus far.

But the postseason is a different animal.

The Mustangs remind me of Anakin Skywalker “The Hero with No Fear” with everything they have accomplished however what happened to Skywalker in the novel and movie was that he let doubt and fear get to him which eventually clouded his mind and made him turn to the dark side of the force and become Darth Vader.

“The dark is generous, and it is patient, and it always wins but in the heart of strength lies weakness. One lone candle is enough to hold it back. Love is more than a candle. Love can ignite the stars” said Stover in the last passage of the book.

It’s much better to be the hunter and not the hunted.

Birmingham Marian is certainly the hunted and one match could end the season if they are not careful.

We shall see what happens.

Playing With No Fear and Nothing to Lose Can Be The Most Dangerous.

Written Saturday October 30th at 10:00 AM

A team with no fear and nothing to lose can be the most dangerous.

Especially in the postseason with a team that has been through it all and believing they have nothing to lose.

When you have nothing to lose and everything to gain that makes you fearless.

This is what describes Oxford football.

The Wildcats started the season with the most brutal schedule in my nearly 20 years I have ever seen. They started out 0-3 with losses to Romeo, Adams, and West Bloomfield. It looked like it was going to be a very long year at Oxford.

Then everything changed.

The Wildcats went with that nothing to lose mindset when they went into Lake Orion and put up 51 on the Dragons on their home field winning the Double O Trophy from them.

That changed everything and the belief they can win.

They also went on the road and knocked off Stoney Creek and Southfield Arts and Tech as well along with huge home wins over Rochester and then the big one when they beat perennial Macomb Area Conference Red powerhouse Chippewa Valley by one point.

Probably the biggest proof that the Wildcats have arrived was when they played Clarkston. The Wolves had beaten Oxford three times in the last two years including the playoffs. These two teams played on Oxford’s homecoming but the Wildcats fell in a tight one 20-17.

Come to Friday night, the Wildcats had nothing to lose and everything to gain went into Clarkston and out toughed them in the trenches. They pulled off to what many experts said was a huge upset 38-28.

To the minds of the Oxford players it wasn’t an upset.

They knew they could do this.

They were prepared for this.

This was a team that was built for Clarkston.

The Wildcats are senior heavy and veteran laden team. Oxford has a gritty and talented quarterback in Brady Carpenter, although not like his brother Drew, Brady has taken major strides and has really improved as a passer and runner. The Wildcats are known for their pound the rock scheme under former and legendary coach Bud Rowley.  What always helps is that you need a proven running back and they have a proven running back in Sal Valcaro. Valcaro had his best game of his career going for 300 yards and four touchdowns against the Wolves. Oxford has a pretty solid wide receiving group for Carpenter to throw too in Jon Aschusto, Mitchell Vivano, and Alec Brown. They also converted junior Tate Myre from running back to tight end which has paid dividends. Also the offensive line has given Valcaro the huge chunk plays along with protection for Carpenter with Kewone Burton and Landon Severn. They have been huge along with the rest of the rest of the offensive line. It also helps when you have a kicker in sophomore Jay Cady who is also a soccer player can kick you a 47 yard field goal like he did against Clarkston.

The defense is still an issue though. This is something that the Wildcats need to address if they want to go far in the postseason.

I give credit to the Wildcats coaching staff led by Coach Zach Line. Line played under Rowley at Oxford but learned some things at SMU in college and in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints.

When Line took over the program, Oxford changed their helmets from blue to yellow, and has changed the mindset of the program.

The players have bought in especially the senior class.

When a team has nothing to lose like the Wildcats are, that’s what makes them the most dangerous.

Week Ten Thoughts.

Written Friday October 29th at 11:40 PM

Berkley: The Bears lost a tough one on Friday night in overtime to Waterford Mott 19-13 at Hurley Field. Berkley laid out a foundation and something to build on for next season. Program strength is on the rise for the Bears. This program will be back.

Troy: The Colts were just outmatched by an angry and motivated Chippewa Valley 33-0 on Friday night. Troy had a good winning eight games for the first time since 1998. It should be an interesting offseason for them.

Avondale: The Yellow Jackets were just outmatched by Birmingham Brother Rice on Friday night falling 58-0 at Wisner Stadium. Avondale made the postseason which was a huge step for them. They do have to replace a ton next season but making the postseason was a great first step for them.

Bloomfield Hills: The Blackhawks had it rough were they were held to 15 yards total offense in the first half and was overmatched by Novi Detroit Catholic Central 51-7 on Friday night. Bloomfield Hills had a great season which saw an undefeated and a Blue title this season. They will be a team to watch this offseason for sure.

Adams: The Highlanders used the veer to perfection against Lapeer on Friday night as five guys had rushing touchdowns in a 42-20 victory. The defense did just enough against a huge offensive line and Brayden McKenna. Adams will be tested for sure next week when they play Oxford.

West Bloomfield: The Lakers need to address the penalties in a big way if they want to move onto the next round. Even though they won 39-3 over Novi on Friday night, they have to clean a ton of things up. Kenneth Jones is the clear cut answer at running back even they have Dillion Tatum. I really feel that Jones gives them a different dynamic and helps quarterback Requan Nance big time. West Bloomfield needs to be more disciplined. If they can do that then they could have another deep postseason run.

Clarkston: The Wolves defense was exposed on Friday night against Oxford. The Wildcats went nuts on the ground which was stunning. Clarkston knew it would have a tough task with Oxford but I don’t think anybody in Clarkston would think that the Wolves are out this early. They have Ethan Clark, Desman Stephens, and Cole Dellinger coming back next season and likely John Kaul could be the starter. The Wolves lose a great senior class including quarterback Mike DePillo. Clarkston had a great year, 15 wins in two years.

Oxford: Sal Valcaro had the game of his life on Friday night going over 300 yards and four touchdowns in a stunning 38-28 upset at Clarkston on Friday night. Brady Carpenter had 22 yard passing touchdown to Tate Myre as well. The Wildcats offensive line was the difference in this game bottom line. They are the reason why Oxford is moving on to play Adams next week. This is a team that is playing with nothing to lose right now.

Harper Woods: The Pioneers lost a tough one in overtime to River Rouge 14-6 on Friday night at their home field. It was a defensive game which went to the end but it was the Panthers that found a way and is moving on. Harper Woods will officially be a member of the OAA next season.

Week Ten Recap.

Written Friday October 29th at 11:40 PM

River Rouge 14, HARPER WOODS 6 OT. This was a heartbreaking loss for the Pioneers on Friday night falling 14-6 to River Rouge in overtime. Harper Woods and the Panthers had a defensive battle which needed overtime but at the end it was River Rouge that came out on top. The Pioneers enter the OAA next season which will be very interesting to watch.

Birmingham Brother Rice 58, AVONDALE 0. The Yellow Jackets were just outmatched on Friday night at Wisner Stadium by Birmingham Brother Rice 58-0. Avondale has a lot to be proud of and the foundation is bright for them next season.

Waterford Mott 19, BERKLEY 13 OT. It was heartbreaking for the Bears on Friday night. Berkley lost 19-13 in overtime at Hurley Field. Kalieb Osbourne was the difference for Waterford Mott in the game with all three rushing touchdowns. Miron Dover had the Bears only touchdown from 13 yards out. They also added two field goals as well. Berkley loses a lot of talent next season but with the program strength they have, they will be back next season.

Chippewa Valley 33, TROY 0. Well the Colts were outmatched on Friday night by a motivated Chippewa Valley team 33-0. The Big Reds were just motivated after losing 29-28 to Oxford last week. Troy was just outmatched as mentioned. They won eight games this season which was the most since 1998. There is a lot to be proud off but can they sustain is the question in the future.

WEST BLOOMFIELD 39, Novi 3. It was a penalty filled game in the Swamp on Friday night which saw an ejection and numerous penalties. The Lakers earned a convincing 39-3 win over Novi on Friday night. Kenneth Jones added a rushing touchdown while Requan Nance and Semaj Morgan added two passing touchdowns. Dillion Tatum added two rushing scores as well. West Bloomfield needs to clean up a lot of things. They cannot afford to have penalties if they want to beat Novi Detroit Catholic Central next week.

Novi Detroit Catholic Central 51, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 7. The Blackhawks had a good season but they were overwhelmed by Novi Detroit Catholic Central on Friday night. They held Bloomfield Hills to just 15 total yards in the first half and led 45-0 at the half. CJ Jackson had a three yard touchdown pass to Andrew Sieperski to wrap up the scoring. The Blackhawks should be an interesting team to watch next season but they accomplished a lot winning their second league title in program history and had a second undefeated regular season.

ADAMS 42, Lapeer 20. The Highlanders exploded on Friday night against Lapeer by using the veer option offense to full effect in a stunning 42-20 victory over the Lightning. Parker Picot led the charge with three rushing touchdowns, one from eight yards out, one from 40 yards, and the other from one yard out, Logan Paterra added a nine yard touchdown run, Marco DiCresce added a 38 yard touchdown run, and Griffin Henke added a 38 yard touchdown run. The Adams defense did just enough to keep Brayden McKenna in check. The Highlanders move on to play Oxford next week.

OXFORD 38, CLARKSTON 28. This is one of the biggest upsets in recent memory. The Wildcats stunned the Wolves on Friday night in Clarkston proving that they are for real. Ethan Clark started the scoring with a 12 yard rushing touchdown. Desman Stephens added a rushing score from 10 yards out. DePillo added two rushing touchdowns for Clarkston including a 79 yard running score. Oxford used their senior experience led by their running back Sal Valkaro. Valkaro went absolutely nuts in this game. He had four touchdowns including an 76 yarder, a 10 yarder, and 37 yard rushing score along with 300 yards rushing. Quarterback Brady Carpenter added a 22 yard passing touchdown to Tate Myre as well. The Wildcats offensive line deserves a ton of credit against a Clarkston defense that was exposed sending them to their most points allowed this season. The Wolves saw their season end unexpectedly. The Wildcats move on to the next round to play Adams next week.

Week Ten Picks.

Written Wednesday October 27th at 12:00 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 85-29

BURNEY 80-34

COTTER 94-20

TIM 84-30

DUNLAP 92-22

STICK 82-32

 

Lapeer at Adams: This is shaping up to be a very interesting matchup of two different styles. Lapeer becomes an honorary member of the OAA. The Highlanders run the veer offense while the Lightning ride Brayden McKinnea along with a huge offensive line. Adams is coming off a 42-6 win over Detroit Renaissance. Lapeer earned a huge 38-35 victory over arch rival Davison last week. Whoever style of play shows up should win this game in Rochester.

 

MR SANDY DUNES: ADAMS 14, LAPEER 10.

BURNEY: ADAMS 30, LAPEER 29.

COTTER: ADAMS 31, LAPEER 21.

TIM: ADAMS 35, LAPEER 28.

DUNLAP: ADAMS 21, LAPEER 14.

STICK: ADAMS 35, LAPEER 15.

 

Novi at West Bloomfield: The Lakers are starting to turn things around which is a great thing for their Division One State title defense. They earned a 42-24 victory over Utica Eisenhower last week. Novi is a very interesting team. They had a turnaround under first year coach Jim Sparks winning five games and making the postseason. The Wildcats don’t really have the horses to match up with West Bloomfield's athletes but then again in 2016 it was Novi that went to the Swamp and stunned the Lakers. I don’t know if I see it happening again this time around.

 

MR SANDY DUNES: WEST BLOOMFIELD 35, NOVI 21.

BURNEY: WEST BLOOMFIELD 31, NOVI 21.

COTTER: WEST BLOOMFIELD 42, NOVI 14.

TIM: WEST BLOOMFIELD 42, NOVI 7.

DUNLAP: WEST BLOOMFIELD 24, NOVI 14.

STICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 31, NOVI 14.

 

Oxford at Clarkston: This might be the most interesting game that involves two OAA Red schools this week in the postseason. This is the fourth meeting in the last two years between the Wolves and the Wildcats with Clarkston winning all three meetings however the third meeting was 20-17 Wolves over the Wildcats on the blue turf. Oxford has won five of six coming into this game. They earned a stunning 29-28 stunning victory over Chippewa Valley last week. Clarkston won 50-28 over Oak Park in a game which was closer than the score indicated last week. This should be a really tight game.

 

MR SANDY DUNES: OXFORD 27, CLARKSTON 24.

BURNEY: CLARKSTON 36, OXFORD 35

COTTER: CLARKSTON 24, OXFORD 21.

TIM: CLARKSTON 28, OXFORD 14.

DUNLAP: OXFORD 24, CLARKSTON 21.

STICK: CLARKSTON 24, OXFORD 21.

 

Novi Detroit Catholic Central at Bloomfield Hills: The Blackhawks went undefeated this season earning the Blue outright with a 21-10 victory over Troy last week. It's the second time in school history they finished the season unbeaten. Bloomfield Hills hasn't won a playoff game in school history and that's the next goal however it won't be easy when they face their biggest test of the season against a perennial Division One powerhouse in Novi Detroit Catholic Central. It's the first meeting between the two schools. They will also meet in boys basketball as well. The Shamrocks are stout on both sides of the football. The Blackhawks need to step up and control tempo if they want to pull off the upset and ring that victory bell.

 

MR SANDY DUNES: NOVI DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL 42, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 14.

BURNEY: NOVI DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL 35, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 22.

COTTER: NOVI DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL 42, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 7.

TIM: NOVI DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL 35, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 14.

DUNLAP: NOVI DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL 37, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 7.

STICK: NOVI DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL 27, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 20.

 

Chippewa Valley at Troy: This game will be on Bally Sports Detroit even though I’m not sure why this game was chosen to be on the network seeing from both sides of the aisle. The Big Reds were upset by Oxford falling 29-28 last week. The Colts are coming off a tough 21-10 loss to Bloomfield Hills which cost them the Blue outright last week. This is a complete mismatch on paper unless Troy steps up to the challenge on their home field against Chippewa Valley but I don't really see this happening.

 

MR SANDY DUNES: CHIPPEWA VALLEY 45, TROY 6.

BURNEY: CHIPPEWA VALLEY 32, TROY 26.

COTTER: CHIPPEWA VALLEY 42, TROY 3.

TIM: CHIPPEWA VALLEY 35, TROY 14.

DUNLAP: CHIPPEWA VALLEY 31, TROY 14.

STICK: CHIPPEWA VALLEY 28, TROY 21.

 

Waterford Mott at Berkley: This is a very interesting game taking place at Hurley Field. The Corsairs are coming off a 35-7 blowout over Waterford Kettering last week. The Bears bounced back after losing a heartbreaker to Troy 10-7 at Hurley Field. They beat Pontiac 42-8 on the road last week. Waterford Mott is well coached under Coach Chris Fahr. Berkley is well coached under Coach Sean Shields. The Corsairs have played a much tougher schedule playing South Lyon, South Lyon East, Walled Lake Western, Milford, and Lakeland in the Lakes Valley Conference however the Bears have home field and have played their fair share of quality competition which could mean something in this game. This game should be tight.

 

MR SANDY DUNES: BERKLEY 31, WATERFORD MOTT 28.

BURNEY: WATERFORD MOTT 27, BERKLEY 20.

COTTER: WATERFORD MOTT 28, BERKLEY 21.

TIM: BERKLEY 21, WATERFORD MOTT 14.

DUNLAP: WATERFORD MOTT 28, BERKLEY 21.

STICK: BERKLEY 21, WATERFORD MOTT 20.

 

Avondale vs Birmingham Brother Rice at Wisner Stadium: The Yellow Jackets snuck into the playoffs after beating Troy Athens 30-10 last week. Avondale despite having a losing record in the regular season heads to Pontiac and legendary Wisner Stadium to play Birmingham Brother Rice. The Warriors only two losses were to Novi Detroit Catholic Central and Warren DeLaSalle. It's interesting that these two teams are playing at Wisner Stadium and not at Lawrence Tech. This matchup though looks to be a complete mismatch on paper but if the Yellow Jackets can find a way to make it a game they could.

 

MR SANDY DUNES: BIRMINGHAM BROTHER RICE 42, AVONDALE 6.

BURNEY: BIRMINGHAM BROTHER RICE 33, AVONDALE 18.

COTTER: BIRMINGHAM BROTHER RICE 42, AVONDALE 6.

TIM: BIRMINGHAM BROTHER RICE 21, AVONDALE 7.

DUNLAP: BIRMINGHAM BROTHER RICE 42, AVONDALE 7.

STICK: BIRMINGHAM BROTHER RICE 33, AVONDALE 14.

 

 

River Rouge at Harper Woods: This is an interesting matchup of Wayne County powers. The Pioneers are riding a ton of confidence heading into the postseason. Harper Woods is coming of a 23-6 victory over Ecorse last week. River Rouge is coming off a huge 45-44 thriller over Southfield Arts and Tech. This should be a very interesting game, which defense will show up will win this game.

 

MR SANDY DUNES: HARPER WOODS 44, RIVER ROUGE 41.

BURNEY: RIVER ROUGE 25, HARPER WOODS 24.

COTTER: HARPER WOODS 26, RIVER ROUGE 21.

TIM: RIVER ROUGE 14, HARPER WOODS 7.

DUNLAP: RIVER ROUGE 24, HARPER WOODS 20.

STICK: RIVER ROUGE 28, HARPER WOODS 14.

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