Football Thoughts.

Written Sunday September 8th at 9:00 PM

The OAA Football Season is well underway and in full swing. Here are my thoughts before heading to the Podcast room on Monday to analyze what has happened in two weeks around the league.

Adams: The Highlanders have been rolling lately but suffered a setback to one of their best players last week in a 31-7 win over Oxford. Adams has a very interesting game coming up at Lake Orion this week. The Highlanders have a lot to prove themselves especially with the young talent that coach Tony Patritto has but they are 2-0. I feel that Adams is in a good place right now but they will be tested for sure.

Lake Orion: The Dragons have been the most impressive of the last two weeks beating Lapeer 17-7 two weeks ago and Southfield Arts and Tech 37-7 last week on their way to 2-0. Lake Orion still has a lot to prove as long as they stay healthy and humble. The Dragons have a tough schedule looming but coach John Blackstock’s team is in a very good place right now. There is no need to panic.

West Bloomfield: The Lakers basically gave the Groves game away last week losing 24-17 in the Swamp. West Bloomfield should be fine despite sitting at 1-1 after beating Oak Park two weeks ago. They will go on the road for the first time this season this week. There should be no sense of panic with this team.

Clarkston: The Wolves were shell shocked week one by Southfield Arts and Tech losing 28-14 but they bounced back in a big way by destroying Bloomfield Hills 51-7 last week. Clarkston has a big one this week with Oak Park at home. The Knights have won the last two meetings over the Wolves. I wouldn’t press the panic button on coach Kurt Richardson's team but if they go 1-3 then it may be time to worry.

Oxford: Maybe it’s time to ditch the white pants for the Wildcats (They are 0-3 when wearing white pants instead of the traditional yellow pants.) Oxford had been outscored 72-21 in their last two weeks given it was against Romeo and Adams (both good teams.) I wouldn’t press the panic button just yet on the Wildcats but they need to win this week against Bloomfield Hills to gain some confidence especially with the schedule that is looming.

Southfield Arts and Tech: This is a tale of two teams in weeks when it comes to the Warriors. They soundly beat Clarkston 28-14 two weeks ago and look like world beaters and then last week came when Southfield Arts and Tech was scorched in the Dragons Lair 37-7 by Lake Orion. The Warriors are at a crossroads with their season at 1-1. Coach Tim Conley’s team has a tough schedule looming. A lot will tell this week when they host West Bloomfield. If they lose that game to the Lakers then it's time to panic.

Bloomfield Hills: The Blackhawks have struggled especially on the defensive side of the football. Bloomfield Hills allowed 37 points to Utica two weeks ago and 51 points last week in a 51-7 loss to Clarkston. The Blackhawks have their home opener this week against Oxford. They are going to need a lot to go right if coach Dan Loria’s team wants to have a successful year despite sitting at 0-2. This week is must win game for Bloomfield Hills if they want to make some noise this season.

Groves: The Falcons are riding on cloud nine after beating West Bloomfield 24-17 last week in the Swamp. Groves who is off to a 2-0 start for the fifth time in six years has a ton of experience and should be a huge factor in Division Two once they get to the postseason for coach Brendan Flaherty. The Falcons do have a big one at Knight Valley next week which could decide the White title.

Oak Park: The Knights bounced back in a big way from their heartbreaking 20-14 loss in the Swamp two weeks ago by destroying Rochester 53-0 at Rochester on Friday night. The Knights are riding on all cylinders right now despite being 1-1. They have Clarkston this week and Groves the following week in their home opener in the next two weeks. Coach Greg Carter’s team has the makings of a long postseason run looming. Oak Park should be fine going forward but this team can’t afford to be 1-3 but if they go 3-1 they should in great shape.

Seaholm: The Maples are off to a strong start after beating two very good teams in Ferndale two weeks ago and Stoney Creek last week for their first White win since 2016. Seaholm coach Jim DeWald has this team rolling at 2-0. There is no need for panic with the Maples despite having a tough schedule looming.

Stoney Creek: The Cougars suffered a tough 20-13 loss to Seaholm last week but Stoney Creek is leaps and bounds better than they were this season for second year coach Nick Merlo. There is no reason for the Cougars to panic even though a tough schedule looms. Stoney Creek is 1-1 right now but feel they should be 2-0. I like the direction where Merlo has this team going so they should be fine moving forward.

Troy Athens: The Red Hawks are off to a 2-0 start for the first time since 2011 which was also the last time that they made the playoffs. Troy Athens has a tough schedule looming but the confidence gained from the past two weeks should have this team ready for the rest of the season. This is a huge game for coach Billy Keenest and his team this week when they go to Stoney Creek. The Cougars beat the Red Hawks 34-14 last season. I like the direction where Keenest has this program going but this week is huge.

Rochester: What has happened to the Falcons??? They gave up 60 to Adams two weeks ago and 53 last week to Oak Park. Rochester has huge problems on the defensive side of the football being outscored 113-24 in two weeks. I knew that 0-2 would be a strong possibility and likely 0-3 but giving up a ton of points like this is insane. I think that coach Eric Vernon’s team is in some trouble with that defense right now.

Troy: The Colts have really struggled in the last two weeks being outscored 64-0 which included losses to Avondale two weeks ago and arch rival Troy Athens last week. The schedule will only get tougher from here for coach Chris Frasier and his team. Troy has their homecoming this week with Seaholm who is hot right now. I think this team is in deep-deep trouble right now.

North Farmington: The Raiders are 2-0 for the first time since 2013 after destroying Berkley 42-6 last week. They have seemed to turn things around after having to survive Waterford Kettering 35-30 two weeks ago. I think coach Jon Herstein’s team is heading in the right direction but I’m very concerned about North Farmington’s schedule going forward. If the Raiders get to the playoffs, the schedule could hurt them especially if they have to play in Division Two against the likes of Warren De LaSalle and Oak Park. It could be a challenge going forward but right now this team is on the right path.

Farmington: The Falcons are also 2-0 but they have not played the toughest of schedules with blowout wins over Royal Oak and Detroit Henry Ford. I like the direction that coach Kory Cicroch has this team going but there are a few questions when they play tougher competition. Just like their rivals to the north I’m very concerned about Farmington’s schedule especially with going to Division Two for the postseason

Avondale: The Yellow Jackets are coming off a tough 20-14 loss to Detroit Renaissance on Friday night falling to 1-1 on the season. Avondale should be fine going forward for first year coach Corey Bell but the schedule will only get tougher from here but I’m not panicking on this team not at all.

Ferndale: The Eagles are an interesting team to keep an eye on with a 1-1 record after getting blown out by Seaholm two weeks ago but beat Pontiac last week. They have a must win game this week at North Farmington not to mention with the tough schedule they have looming. If Ferndale goes 1-2 then it’s time to panic but if coach Eric Royal’s team goes 2-1 then it would be a huge step but Friday is a must win game for the Eagles.

Berkley: I knew when looking at the Bears schedule that being 0-2 was a real possibility especially with two tough games they played against Brandon and North Farmington. I like the direction that coach Sean Shields has this program going. I think a big step for this program would be is if they can get “The Curb” back from Royal Oak this week which is a strong possibility. I like where Berkley is at despite the record, they have the biggest upside in the Blue.

Royal Oak: I have been very disappointed with the Ravens thus far sitting at 0-2 and getting outscored 66-10 in those games. They have a big one this week at Hurley Field defending “the Curb.” I haven’t been impressed with the teams they had played either in St. Clair Shores Lakeview and Farmington. I thought this team would be better than they have showed but I guess I was wrong.

Pontiac: It’s been a tough road for the Phoenix sitting at 0-2 and getting outscored 85-6 thus far. It could get much worse with a trip to Avondale this week. Pontiac is slowly taking each game and learning from every play. It’s a long and painful process but this program will get better in time.