Tuesday, October 2, 2018

Week Seven Picks.

Written Tuesday October 2nd at 10:15 PM


Welcome to the 2018 OAA football season. We will pick games this season with my good friends in the media this season, here are the pickers for the season. Anthony Taormina-Host Between Taorminas and History Now on ONTV, Scott Burnstein-State Champs analyst and blogger, Oakland Press sports writer, Keith Dunlap-Detroit Free Press sports writer, Dan Stickradt-North Oakland Sports, sports writer, and Sean Cotter-Farmington video coordinator. Anyway good luck everyone this season.

DUNES 57-21
TRAIN 59-19
DUNLAP 62-16
STICK 59-19
BURNEY 60-18
COTTER 58-20

Rochester at 1. Oak Park

This is a trap game for the Knights because the Falcons have been competitive as of late. Oak Park did beat Troy 26-9 last week but Rochester has lost three of their four games by a combined seven points including last week’s 27-24 loss to Harrison. This is an upset trap waiting to happen because if coach Greg Carter doesn’t get his team ready for this matchup then the upset could happen in Knight Valley.

DUNES: OAK PARK 28, ROCHESTER 27
TRAIN: OAK PARK 35, ROCHESTER 21
DUNLAP: OAK PARK 42, ROCHESTER 14
STICK: OAK PARK 28, ROCHESTER 21
BURNEY: OAK PARK 31, ROCHESTER 20
COTTER: OAK PARK 42, ROCHESTER 14

8. Oxford at 2. Clarkston

This is a huge game for the Wildcats to see where they stand against one of the top teams in the State and going on the road into a hostile environment. Oxford is coming off a 42-6 victory over Stoney Creek last week on the road but this week it gets much tougher as mentioned. The Wildcats have lost five straight to Clarkston however there is some optimism on the Oxford side that with their big wins over Romeo, Lake Orion, and they hung tough with West Bloomfield in the Swamp that maybe they could pull this one off. The Wolves are coming off a 55-7 blowout of Bloomfield Hills last week and really have not been tested since the Southfield Arts and Tech game but they haven’t played a game from behind yet which would be interesting. This game could be competitive to say the least on Clarkston’s homecoming.

DUNES: CLARKSTON 14, OXFORD 10
TRAIN: CLARKSTON 28, OXFORD 14          
DUNLAP: CLARKSTON 20, OXFORD 17
STICK: CLARKSTON 28, OXFORD 14
BURNEY: CLARKSTON 33, OXFORD 23
COTTER: CLARKSTON 28, OXFORD 14

Southfield Arts and Tech at 3. West Bloomfield

There are plenty of storylines heading into this game, its West Bloomfield’s homecoming and Anthony Rompf’s return to West Bloomfield after he transferred to Southfield Arts and Tech last offseason after he was the Lakers junior varsity quarterback. The Warriors have had a rough season against teams that are near or north of M-24 going 0-4 in that process. Southfield Arts and Tech has been outscored by teams that are near or north of M-24 by a 119-68 span including a 20-12 loss to Lake Orion on their homecoming last week. West Bloomfield is not near or north of M-24 but that will be the Warriors next opponent. The Lakers embarrassed Southfield Arts and Tech on their home field 62-35 last season eliminating them from the playoffs that season. West Bloomfield escaped Adams with a 24-20 victory last week. The Warriors have a tough schedule remaining with this game then Adams, and River Rouge to close out the season. Things could get real ugly this week in the Swamp.

DUNES: WEST BLOOMFIELD 56, SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 0
TRAIN: WEST BLOOMFIELD 35, SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 12
DUNLAP: WEST BLOOMFIELD 42, SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 17
STICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 21, SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 20
BURNEY: WEST BLOOMFIELD 34, SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 18
COTTER: WEST BLOOMFIELD 38, SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 14

Adams at 4. Harrison

This is a monstrous game for the Highlanders because of where they sit. Adams sits at 3-3 after losing 24-20 at home to West Bloomfield last week. If the Highlanders can come into Farmington Hills and win, it would be a huge step if they want to make the playoffs. The Hawks had to survive 27-24 at Rochester last week on their homecoming. This is a very interesting matchup but Adams needs this game in the worst way, it would be tough for them to make it into the postseason if they finish at 5-4 because of their non-conference (Rochester and Stoney Creek are a combined 2-10) but a win over Harrison could change everything.

DUNES: ADAMS 24, HARRISON 21
TRAIN: HARRISON 24, ADAMS 21
DUNLAP: HARRISON 24, ADAMS 21
STICK: HARRISON 27, ADAMS 21
BURNEY: HARRISON 24, ADAMS 21
COTTER: HARRISON 24, ADAMS 21

Berkley at 5. Seaholm

Perhaps there is no hotter team right now than the Maples with the record and point production they have produced as of late. Seaholm has been competitive in their only loss against South Lyon (31-28) but they have been rolling people including a 58-8 beat down of Pontiac in front of the Maple Forest on homecoming last week. The Bears have been on a tailspin losing three straight games where they have been outscored 118-14 in that stretch including a 53-0 beat down against Avondale last week. It could be more of the same for Berkley this week in Birmingham.

DUNES: SEAHOLM 45, BERKLEY 0
TRAIN: SEAHOLM 49, BERKLEY 7
DUNLAP: SEAHOLM 35, BERKLEY 10
STICK: SEAHOLM 35, BERKLEY 14
BURNEY: SEAHOLM 35, BERKLEY 15
COTTER: SEAHOLM 49, BERKLEY 7

Troy at 6. Groves

Happy times are back again for the Falcons. In their four game winning streak, Groves has outscored the competition 154-48 and 91-13 in the last two weeks which included last week’s 42-6 blowout of Troy Athens. The Falcons will play a Colts team that has been abysmal, losing four straight games. Troy has been outscored 147-46 including losing 26-9 on their homecoming to Oak Park last week. It could get ugly in Beverly Hills this week.

DUNES: GROVES 63, TROY 7
TRAIN: GROVES 42, TROY 7
DUNLAP: GROVES 28, TROY 10
STICK: GROVES 31, TROY 14
BURNEY: GROVES 28, TROY 22
COTTER: GROVES 35, TROY 3

7. Ferndale at Pontiac

The Eagles are back and riding on all cylinders during their toughest four game road trip of the season including a 55-0 beat down at Hazel Park last week. Ferndale is on a three game winning streak where it has outscored their opponents 121-26 on that span. That span will likely increase at Wisner Stadium where they will take on a Phoenix team that looks lost. Pontiac is on a five game losing streak where they have been outscored 249-22 in that stretch including a 58-8 loss to Seaholm last week. It’s going to be a long week for the Phoenix.

DUNES: FERNDALE 66, PONTIAC 0
TRAIN: FERNDALE 49, PONTIAC 0
DUNLAP: FERNDALE 50, PONTIAC 0
STICK: FERNDALE 28, PONTIAC 13
BURNEY: FERNDALE 30, PONTIAC 10
COTTER: FERNDALE 56, PONTIAC 0

Royal Oak at 9. Avondale

This will be the biggest game of the season for the Ravens if they want to make the playoffs. With 5-4 likely not getting them into the postseason, this is Royal Oak’s playoff game right here. The Ravens won 14-7 at North Farmington last week. The Yellow Jackets are coming into this game finding their offense in a big way last week over Berkley beating them 53-0 on their homecoming. As mentioned if the Ravens don’t win in Auburn Hills then they a return trip to the playoffs is likely not in the cards.

DUNES: AVONDALE 42, ROYAL OAK 7
TRAIN: AVONDALE 49, ROYAL OAK 14
DUNLAP: AVONDALE 31, ROYAL OAK 13
STICK: AVONDALE 35, ROYAL OAK 28
BURNEY: AVONDALE 25, ROYAL OAK 21
COTTER: AVONDALE 35, ROYAL OAK 7

North Farmington at 10. Farmington

The Farmington Cup is one of those interesting trophies that will divide Farmington next season now that the Farmington School District will have two schools next season. The Falcons have won four of the last five trophy games. Farmington is coming off their first loss of the season losing 28-6 to a very good Madison Heights Madison team. The Raiders really disappointed last week losing 14-7 to Royal Oak. North Farmington’s defense has gotten better (allowing 42 total points in the last three games) but the offense has to get better. It will be a tricky chore for the Raiders this week against an angry Farmington team.

DUNES: FARMINGTON 35, NORTH FARMINGTON 21
TRAIN: FARMINGTON 3, NORTH FARMINGTON 2
DUNLAP: FARMINGTON 28, NORTH FARMINGTON 12
STICK: FARMINGTON 32, NORTH FARMINGTON 17
BURNEY: FARMINGTON 26, NORTH FARMINGTON 19
COTTER: FARMINGTON 42, NORTH FARMINGTON 0

Bloomfield Hills at Lake Orion

This is a big one for the Dragons on their homecoming after winning 20-12 over Southfield Arts and Tech on their homecoming last week putting their record at 3-3. Lake Orion has won three of four since losing to Oxford 28-7 and have outscored opponents 111-92 in that span. The Blackhawks have had a rough season thus far but have won the last two meetings at home against Lake Orion but as mentioned they have fallen on hard times as of late getting outscored 222-48 in their five game losing streak which included a 55-7 homecoming loss to Clarkston last week. It could be a long night for Bloomfield Hills if the Dragons are starting to put things together.

DUNES: LAKE ORION 42, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 14
TRAIN: LAKE ORION 35, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 7
DUNLAP: LAKE ORION 28, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 14
STICK: LAKE ORION 24, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 21
BURNEY: LAKE ORION 29, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 17
COTTER: LAKE ORION 49, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 7

Troy Athens at Stoney Creek

It’s been a challenging season for both teams as they come into this matchup with a combined 1-11 record. Both teams are building for the future after having tough seasons and fell by the same 42-6 scores to Oxford and Groves last week. The Cougars since their win over Utica Ford has allowed over 27 points in each game since their five game losing streak and seven of nine since October of last season. The Red Hawks are in a much tougher position going 1-23 since 2016 getting outscored 864-322 in that stretch. Someone will break a long dreaded losing streak this week.

DUNES: STONEY CREEK 24, TROY ATHENS 20
TRAIN: TROY ATHENS 21, STONEY CREEK 20
DUNLAP: TROY ATHENS 21, STONEY CREEK 17
STICK: STONEY CREEK 27, TROY ATHENS 20
BURNEY: STONEY CREEK 20, TROY ATHENS 18
COTTER: STONEY CREEK 21, TROY ATHENS 7

Hazel Park at Madison Heights Lamphere

This is an interesting matchup of two struggling teams coming into this game in Madison Heights on Madison Heights Lamphere’s homecoming no less. The Rams have lost seven of their last eight games coming into this game and on a three game losing streak where they have been outscored 149-39. The Vikings have allowed 142 total points this season but they allowed 55 to Ferndale in a 55-0 loss last week. This will be a future Macomb Area Conference rivalry to keep an eye on in the near future.

DUNES: MADISON HEIGHTS LAMPHERE 30, HAZEL PARK 14
TRAIN: MADISON HEIGHTS LAMPHERE 28, HAZEL PARK 6
DUNLAP: HAZEL PARK 28, MADISON HEIGHTS LAMPHERE 13
STICK: MADISON HEIGHTS LAMPHERE 21, HAZEL PARK 20
BURNEY: MADISON HEIGHTS LAMPHERE 27, HAZEL PARK 14
COTTER: MADISON HEIGHTS LAMPHERE 21, HAZEL PARK 6

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I have highest function of autism (Asperger Syndrome.) I'm a huge Dallas Stars fan. I like to play and watch football, especially when the Dragons play on Friday nights. I am a 2006 alum and used to play football for the Dragons. I ran track, I ran the 100, 200, 400 meter dashes along with shot-put and discus. During my time in Orion I was a manager for Junior Varsity Boys Basketball team. I'm the volleyball, girls basketball, and football announcer for the team and do the book on the road for girls basketball. I do the clock for volleyball in the fall along with girls basketball in the winter and announce some boys basketball games as well. In the spring I coach shot-put at Scripps Middle School, in my fifth season coaching. I run the shot-put for high school meets. I played Special Olympics Basketball, I've won three gold medals for them. I host "Between Taorminas" which is on ONTV along with a podcast called "OAA Now". In other various things outside of Lake Orion, I love to jet ski over Saginaw Bay. Saginaw Bay is basically my life. I'm a trained weather spotter for the National Weather Service for Oakland and Huron counties.