Lantzy Out at Stoney Creek.

Written Wednesday November 15th at 10:05 PM

The Bob Lantzy era at Stoney Creek appears be over.

Citing a few sources, Lantzy has stepped down from the Cougars program effective immediately.

Stoney Creek was 5-13 in the two seasons under Lantzy. The Cougars finished 3-6 this season and 2-7 last season.

Lantzy came to Stoney Creek in 2016, after coaching 41 seasons at Utica Eisenhower from 1971-2011 in which he was Macomb County’s coach of the year four times, went to four State Championship games, and won 12 MAC titles with the Eagles.

Stoney Creek had a rough year on both sides of the football scoring 93 points which is 20 points lower than Lantzy’s first season in which they scored 113 points. Defensibly the Cougars improved but still allowed too many points though, Stoney Creek gave up 211 points which was less than the 243 points they allowed last season.

Lantzy departs Stoney Creek with a 309-168-1 record all time.

Thoughts.

It just didn’t work out at Stoney Creek for Lantzy.

It will be interesting to see where the Cougars go next season with their new coach. Stoney Creek will be very young but will return two quarterbacks in Frank Potenza and Peyton Youngblood along with lineman Jake Ropeta.

Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest developments on this developing story.

Week Thirteen Picks.

Written Tuesday November 14th at 2:05 PM

Welcome to the 2017 OAA Football Season, this season we will pick games that include OAA Teams. This year we have Anthony Taormina from History Now and Between Taorminas on Orion Neighborhood Television, Scott Burnstein from MIPrepZone and State Champs, Dan Stickradt from North Oakland Sports, Keith Dunlap a free-lance writer at the Detroit Free Press, and Sean Cotter Ford worker and Farmington loyalist.

All Games are Saturday at 1 PM.

SAMMY 86-50

ANT 104-32

SEAN 108-28

STICK 111-25

KEITH 112-24

BURNEY 103-33

Division One

Clarkston vs Novi Detroit Catholic Central at Walled Lake Western

This will be interesting matchup that puts these two teams back together for the first time since 2013 in which the Wolves beat the Shamrocks 32-13 at Ford Field. These are two similar offenses going at against each other at Walled Lake Western. Novi Detroit Catholic Central had to survive Canton 27-26 in Plymouth last week behind a defensive stand which I don't know why the Chiefs went for two to try to win the game instead of taking the game to overtime. Clarkston came from 22-6 down to stun Holland West Ottawa 29-22 last week in Holland. Both teams are known for time possession football and smash mouth power ground attacks. The Wolves have Josh Cantu and Michael Fleguel leading their attack. The Shamrocks have Charles Clay and Cameron Ryan leading their attack. Weather is expected be a factor in this game. I think the Novi Detroit Catholic Central defense looks vulnerable after what happened to them last week in Plymouth but the weather as mentioned might keep Clarkston from throwing the football but if they do throw it's advantage Wolves.

SAMMY PICK: CLARKSTON 21, NOVI DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL 16.

ANT PICK: CLARKSTON 24, NOVI DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL 17.

SEAN PICK: NOVI DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL 28, CLARKSTON 24.

STICK PICK: CLARKSTON 21, NOVI DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL 17.

KEITH PICK: NOVI DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL 24, CLARKSTON 10.

BURNEY PICK: NOVI DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL 28, CLARKSTON 23.

West Bloomfield vs. Detroit Cass Tech at Troy Athens

This will be an interesting matchup that features Division One recruits everywhere at Troy Athens with the first time these two teams meet each other. Detroit Cass Tech features their own Division One recruits in Eastern Michigan commit Aaron Jackson and DeAndre Square whom is a Kentucky commit along with defensive back Kalon Gervin whom is also getting Division One offers. West Bloomfield has their fair share of Division One recruits as well documented. The Technicians have had a spotty two weeks needing last minute drives to win them both including last week’s 32-26 escape at Chippewa Valley. The Lakers had to survive Utica Eisenhower 28-25 behind Bryce Veasley’s heroics at Sweinhart Field last week. I think the weather will play a factor even though experience favors Detroit Cass Tech but the emotional drive that West Bloomfield is going through will be huge in this one. I think this will be a back and fourth affair with both teams scoring late but the difference will be Nick O’Shea with everything he has went through will kick the winning field goal to send the team that wears Nike to Ford Field.

SAMMY PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 31, DETROIT CASS TECH 28.

ANT PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 42, DETROIT CASS TECH 14.

SEAN PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 35, DETROIT CASS TECH 32.

STICK PICK: DETROIT CASS TECH 28, WEST BLOOMFIELD 21.

KEITH PICK: DETROIT CASS TECH 35, WEST BLOOMFIELD 31.

BURNEY PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 27, DETROIT CASS TECH 21.

Division Three

Harrison vs. Riverview at Rochester

This will be the fourth meeting all time between the Hawks and the Pirates as they play at Rochester this weekend. Riverview won their first regional championship in 15 years by beating Dearborn Divine Child 36-31 in Dearborn last week. The Pirates feature a Wing T offense that has benefited them throughout the season in their march to the playoffs after having a 2-7 season last year. Harrison has played very well in the postseason thus far and have won their three playoff matchups on the road including a 35-21 win at Linden last week in which Roderick Heard had 233 yards and three scores. Weather will be a huge issue in this game as well. The Hawks will look to get back to the State Finals for the first time since 2010. I think they will get to the State Final pretty convincingly and clash with Muskegon. Harrison too athletic and battle tested.

SAMMY PICK: HARRISON 35, RIVERVIEW 21.

ANT PICK: HARRISON 24, RIVERVIEW 14.

SEAN PICK: HARRISON 35, RIVERVIEW 17.

STICK PICK:  HARRISON 28, RIVERVIEW 27,

KEITH PICK: HARRISON 24, RIVERVIEW 20.

BURNEY PICK: HARRISON 34, RIVERVIEW 24.

Week Twelve Recap.

Written Friday November 10th at 10:20 PM
Updated Saturday November 11th at 3:38 PM

Warren DeLaSalle 14, OAK PARK 7.

The Knights had two chances to put Warren DeLaSalle away but couldn’t do it. Late in the second quarter on an untimed down with Oak Park up 7-6 they had a chance to possibly go for a field goal and make it a 10-6 game but instead went for a pass into the endzone which was incomplete then late in the third quarter they had a chance to score and had a bobbled snap which led to a turnover on downs for the Knights. Oak Park gave up two third down conversions one was for 38 yards on a third and 15 and the other was for 32 yards on a third and 14 on their final drive. The drive which was for 13 plays for 86 yards led to a three yard touchdown run from Luke Pfromm with 45 seconds in the game and the Knights couldn’t answer. Pfromm added a one yard score earlier in the game. Torriano Richardson had a 60 yard run in the first quarter which was the Knights only score of the game. Oak Park ends the season at 9-3.

HARRISON 34, Linden 21.

The Hawks won a big one in Genesee County on Friday night. The game was tied at 14-14 at one point in the third quarter but Harrison broke the game wide open behind Roderick Heard’s three touchdowns and 233 rushing yards. Heard scored the opening score from seven yards out but Linden answered with a score from 70 yards. Harrison answered behind Ovie Oghoufo from a 24 yard pass from Noah Hendricks making the halftime score 14-7 Hawks. The Eagles answered by going 80 yards tying the game at 14-14 before Heard and Michael Filemu took over from the ground. Harrison moves onto the State Semifinals and play Riverview and their Wing T offense next Saturday at Rochester.

WEST BLOOMFIELD 28, Utica Eisenhower 25.

The Lakers found a way to win at Sweinhart Field behind their leader and starting quarterback Bryce Veasley to pull off a stunning win over the Eagles. Veasley scored the winning touchdown from four yards out giving West Bloomfield its first ever Regional title. The Lakers used their air attack against a very good Utica Eisenhower defense. West Bloomfield’s defense shockingly allowed 25 points to a good Eagles team that played its backup quarterback Jack Morris. The Lakers will move onto the State Semifinals at Troy Athens and play Detroit Cass Tech next Saturday.


CLARKSTON 29, Holland West Ottawa 22.

The Wolves behind power running from Josh Cantu and a stout second half defense came back from a 22-6 deficit to stun Holland West Ottawa at Harbor Lights Middle School on Saturday afternoon giving them their first Regional Championship since 2014. Cantu was the huge difference offensively with 33 carries for 193 yards, scoring four times including one from two yards, one yard, 16 yards, and the winning 29 yard touchdown run to stun the Panthers. Tieler Houston caught two two-point conversions from Nate Uballe to tie the game. Holland West Ottawa’s offense led by Issac Van Dyke had a great first half scoring on three passing touchdowns, one from 18 yards, one for 16 yards, and the other for five yards. Clarkston’s defense was stout in the second half shutting down the Panthers offense to just 53 yards and caused three turnovers including a fumble deep into Holland West Ottawa territory which led to one of Cantu’s four scores. The Wolves though did lose Rocco Splinter to an injury during the game, it is unknown if he will be back for next week’s game when Clarkston plays Novi Detroit Catholic Central next Saturday at Walled Lake Western.

 

Week Twelve Picks.

Written Tuesday November 7th at 9:00 AM

Welcome to the 2017 OAA Football Season, this season we will pick games that include OAA Teams. This year we have Anthony Taormina from History Now and Between Taorminas on Orion Neighborhood Television, Scott Burnstein from MIPrepZone and State Champs, Dan Stickradt from North Oakland Sports, Keith Dunlap a free-lance writer at the Detroit Free Press, and Sean Cotter Ford worker and Farmington loyalist.

SAMMY 84-48

ANT 100-32

SEAN 105-27

STICK 109-23

KEITH 109-23

BURNEY 100-32

Division One

Clarkston vs. Holland West Ottawa at Harbor Lights Middle School (Saturday 1 PM)

Holland West Ottawa has been the biggest surprise in the West side of the State. They beat Rockford, whom they had issues with twice this season, including a 33-28 win last week over the Rams to claim their first district championship in school history. The Panthers have some very good athletes that the Wolves will have to deal with in quarterback Issac Van Dyke. Van Dyke is a duel threat quarterback and has some weapons to throw to in wide receivers Liam Cavannah, Blake Bosma and Xavier Wade. Holland West Ottawa also has a good running game as well besides Van Dyke they have Shaunkeese Townshed whom had a big game against Rockford. Clarkston has a solid one-two punch in their running game in Josh Cantu and Michael Fleugel. The Wolves have seen teams that have spread/read option before from the Red. This will be an interesting game at Harbor Lights Middle School and a test to see how good Clarkston is. This will be the first ever meeting between the Wolves and Panthers.

SAMMY PICK: HOLLAND WEST OTTAWA 35, CLARKSTON 14.

ANT PICK: CLARKSTON 28, HOLLAND WEST OTTAWA 21.

SEAN PICK: HOLLAND WEST OTTAWA 26, CLARKSTON 14.

STICK PICK: HOLLAND WEST OTTAWA 28, CLARKSTON 27.

KEITH PICK: HOLLAND WEST OTTAWA 28, CLARKSTON 14.

BURNEY PICK: HOLLAND WEST OTTAWA 31, CLARKSTON 28.

West Bloomfield vs. Utica Eisenhower at Sweinhart Field

The Lakers have been rolling as of late winning nine straight games including a shocking 41-7 beatdown of Waterford Mott in Waterford last week for their first ever district title. This week, they will go back on the road but into Macomb County at Sweinhart Field to take on the Eagles of Utica Eisenhower in what will be the first ever meeting between these two teams. The Eagles needed a touchdown from backup quarterback Jack Morris to Ben Metz late in the game to beat Adams 10-6 last week. West Bloomfield has more weapons and is more athletic than Utica Eisenhower but the Eagles are very physical and play with a lot of heart. It will be an interesting game to say the least at Sweinhart Field this week.

SAMMY PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 31, UTICA EISENHOWER 10.

ANT PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 35, UTICA EISENHOWER 21.

SEAN PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 28, UTICA EISENHOWER 21.

STICK PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 17, UTICA EISENHOWER 10.

KEITH PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 21, UTICA EISENHOWER 7.

BURNEY PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 34, UTICA EISENHOWER 27.

Division Two

Oak Park vs. Warren DeLaSalle at Wayne State

The Knights whom have looked good against Royal Oak and Birmingham Brother Rice respectably will be going up against a team that in their last two playoff games have outscored Ferndale and Port Huron Northern by a combined 96-0 in Warren DeLaSalle. This maybe the Pilots best team they have had in years under second year and former Macomb Dakota coach Mike Gionnine. Oak Park will have to deal with Warren DeLaSalle quarterback Luke Frohm whose been red hot lately in the Pilots winning streak. The Knights and coach Greg Carter will need to rely on their strong offensive line and experience if they want to win their first ever Regional title.

SAMMY PICK: OAK PARK 34, WARREN DELASALLE 28.

ANT PICK: WARREN DELASALLE 24, OAK PARK 21.

SEAN PICK: WARREN DELASALLE 35, OAK PARK 22.

STICK PICK: OAK PARK 42, WARREN DELASALLE 35.

KEITH PICK: WARREN DELASALLE 28, OAK PARK 24.

BURNEY PICK: WARREN DELASALLE 21, OAK PARK 20.

Division Three

Harrison at Linden

The Hawks have rolled through the city of Warren and Macomb County in the last two rounds taking down Warren Fitzgerald and Warren Woods Tower now they go to Genesee County and take on the Linden Eagles. This is the first meeting between Linden and Harrison. The Hawks will have to deal with an Eagles spread offense that put up 49 points against Brandon last week in a 49-27 victory over the Blackhawks. Linden is led by quarterback George Walterhouse along with wide receiver Corbin Snives. The Eagles have more depth than Harrison but the Hawks are more athletic and have played a more brutal schedule with the White and playing teams that are up in a Division.

SAMMY PICK: HARRISON 28, LINDEN 20.

ANT PICK: HARRISON 21, LINDEN 17.

SEAN PICK: HARRISON 28, LINDEN 14.

STICK PICK:  HARRISON 35, LINDEN 34.

KEITH PICK: HARRISON 24, LINDEN 17.

BURNEY PICK: HARRISON 30, LINDEN 23.

Volleyball Regional Preview.

Written Friday November 3rd at 11:30 PM

Region Four @ Bloomfield Hills

The Regional Semifinals will take place on Tuesday with the Regional Final taking place on Thursday.

Stoney Creek vs Birmingham Marian

The Cougars and Mustangs should know each other well. Birmingham Marian coach Lauren Duquette should know Stoney Creek really well since she coached a few of the girls in AAU and when she coached at Rochester. Cougars coach Ross Talbott should know the Mustangs well because his team has seen Birmingham Marian in tournaments. Stoney Creek won their first district title in school history with a five-set win over Utica Eisenhower and a sweep of Romeo. Birmingham Marian won the West Bloomfield districts with sweeps of Waterford Mott, Bloomfield Hills, and Adams.

Clarkston vs Troy

The Wolves and Colts know each other well. They are both in the same division and met at Troy with Clarkston winning in four games. The Colts have Fran McBride, Kelsey Moeller, and Jessica Robinson for coach Tom Vigilant. The big three were instrumental in winning the Troy Athens district with a sweep of the Red Hawks and a five game thriller against Seaholm. Clarkston won their district with a shocking four game win over Orion and a sweep of Brandon to get here. The Wolves are led by Abby Malanowski and Claire Nowicki. This could be an interesting matchup to say the least.

PICKS:

I think this is going to be a Birmingham Marian/Clarkston Regional Final. I think the Stoney Creek/Birmingham Marian matchup will go five games and the Clarkston/Troy game will go four games. I think the Wolves beat the Mustangs in four games. Clarkston remembers what happen to them last season when they were upset by Fenton in the Regional Final. I know the Wolves want another shot at the Tigers in the State Quarterfinal. I like Clarkston to win this Regional and get another shot at Fenton. PICK: CLARKSTON.

Week Eleven Recap.

Written Friday November 3rd at 10:05 PM
Updated Saturday November 4th at 9:25 PM

OAK PARK 34, Birmingham Brother Rice 14.

The Knights won their first district championship since 2012 with a convincing home victory over Birmingham Brother Rice and they do with a solid rushing attack from a big and great offensive line. Torriano Richardson, the younger brother of John Kelly had 139 yards and four touchdowns in the game. Oak Park’s defense did just enough to shut down the Warriors. The Knights will play at Wayne State in the Regional Final against Warren DeLaSalle whom shut out Port Huron Northern 50-0 and have outscored their opponents by a combined 96-0 next week.

HARRISON 33, Warren Woods Tower 0

The Hawks just like last week against Warren Fitzgerald were dominant against the Titans shutting them down on both sides of the football. Running back Roedrick Hurd was the story of the game as he scored four touchdowns and went over 100 yards in rushing. Harrison dominated in all phases of the game and over matched Warren Woods Tower on their home field. The Hawks will go to Linden next week to take on the Eagles in a Regional Final.

Utica Eisenhower 10, ADAMS 6.

The Highlanders lost a hard-fought battle to Utica Eisenhower at Sweinhart Field. The difference of the game was a 37 yard touchdown from Jack Morris whom replaced Max Wittmer whom is out with an knee injury to Ben Metz with 1:27 left in the game. Adams defense was stout all night but the offense could not finish drives. Got to credit the Utica Eisenhower defense, which is traditionally very good, they shut the Highlanders down. Adams got two field goals from Ben Patton, one from 21 yards and the other from 34 yards. The Highlanders finished the season at 9-2. The Eagles host West Bloomfield next week at Sweinhart Field.

WEST BLOOMFIELD 41, Waterford Mott 7.

This was a shocker to say the least that featured two high octane offenses, one came to play while the other did not in Waterford. The Lakers used a running game and took advantage of Waterford Mott’s mistakes in the process to get their first ever district title. Colin Heard ran for two touchdowns, while Shameer Dennis added two scores, and Bryce Veasley added one score. Nick O’Shea was brilliant, he connected on two field goals, one from 20 yards and the other from 36 yards. West Bloomfield's defense shut down Dave McCullum and the Corsairs offense. Nick Seidel had two interceptions in the game. The Lakers will go to Sweinhart Field next week and take on Utica Eisenhower in their first ever Regional Final.

CLARKSTON 28, Davison 0.

In a matchup between the Wolves and Cardinals that took place on Saturday night in Davison. The Cardinals have no excuses, they had Clarkston on a Saturday night on grass, and they were motivated after last season’s 31-14 loss. Davison coach Kyle Zimmerman and the Cardinals administration have no more excuses and it showed. Clarkston was just better than Davison. Josh Cantu had 258 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Cantu should thank his offensive line that was dominant all night against the Cardinals defense that has done well handing their opponents until tonight. The Wolves whom had 274 yards of total offense also used their defense to shut down Tariq Reid for the second straight season. Clarkston will go to the west side of the State to take on Holland West Ottawa next week in the Regional Final.

Farmington names New Girls Basketball Coach.

Written Friday November 3rd at 7:45 PM

The Farmington Falcons will have a new Girls Basketball coach this winter.

The Falcons according to a very accurate source named Laura Guzman their new head coach. This will be the third coach in three seasons for Farmington. She takes over for Kayla Womback whom spent one season as the Falcons head coach.

Farmington went 5-16 last season in the Gold. The Falcons went up to the Blue after the league decided to go three divisions.

Guzman comes to Farmington from Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard where she coached the Pioneers Softball and Basketball teams from 2013-2017. According to the Pioneers website, she was a four-year captain for both Softball and Basketball as a player at Madison Heights Bishop Foley.

Guzman is no stranger to the OAA, she was a coach at Rochester as the Varsity head for Softball and an assistant for Basketball. Guzman as an assistant under coach Adam Sheldon helped turn around the Falcons from a 3-18 team in 2010-2011 to a 12-9 team in the 2012-2013 season.

She was the Softball coach for the Pioneers, it is unknown if Guzman will have any involvement with the program at Farmington.

Guzman’s record at Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard was not the greatest, she had three losing seasons over as Pioneers coach but she will have some talent coming back at Farmington.

The Falcons will add two players from Harrison in Nevada Hargraves and Olivia Perkins after the Hawks weren’t going to field a Girls Basketball team to go along with returning players Makayla Martin and Abbey Smentowski.

Farmington will be an interesting team to keep an eye on in the Blue this season as they have to deal with Avondale and Berkley along with an improving Hazel Park team and you can’t out Oak Park as well. The Falcons will have their hands full once they get into district play as they have North Farmington, Farmington Hills Mercy, Groves, and Southfield Arts and Tech in a district. It won’t be an easy situation to say the least.

Thoughts:

This is an interesting hire that the Falcons hired Guzman as their head coach. I looked at her records in her three years at Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard and it was not good.

Farmington is in an interesting spot. The Falcons will be a team to keep an eye on in the Blue this season. We’ll see what happens.

Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.