Week Four Picks.

Written Wednesday October 7th at 2:00 PM

SANDY DUNES: 25-9

LOCKE: 14-20

DUNLAP: 24-10

BURNEY: 25-9

STICK: 22-12

COTTER: 27-7

 

1. Stoney Creek at 10. Adams: This could be the best game in the league on Friday night in Rochester. The Cougars are riding on all cylinders and have been a machine blowing out three straight opponents. The Highlanders despite their 1-2 record have been really competitive losing both of their games by a combined four points. Stoney Creek has not won at Adams ever and they have beaten the Highlanders once (2014) could all of that change on Friday night???

SANDY DUNES PICK: STONEY CREEK 38, ADAMS 35.

LOCKE PICK: STONEY CREEK over ADAMS.

DUNLAP PICK: STONEY CREEK 31, ADAMS 17.

BURNEY PICK: STONEY CREEK 33, ADAMS 28.

STICK PICK: STONEY CREEK 35, ADAMS 21.

COTTER PICK: STONEY CREEK 35, ADAMS 7.

 

2. Clarkston at 4. Lake Orion: This should be a very interesting game to watch. The Wolves are coming off a 24-21 overtime victory over West Bloomfield last week. Clarkston should be the favorite heading into Lake Orion. The Dragons have some concerns coming into this game. The offense really struggled last week fumbling the football three times against Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit but survived 7-6. If Lake Orion can’t figure out a number one quarterback or get any offensive consistency and find balance this could get ugly.

SANDY DUNES PICK: LAKE ORION 17, CLARKSTON 14.

LOCKE PICK: CLARKSTON 10, LAKE ORION 7.

DUNLAP PICK: LAKE ORION 21, CLARKSTON 20.

BURNEY PICK: CLARKSTON 18, LAKE ORION 17.

STICK PICK: CLARKSTON 28, LAKE ORION 21.

COTTER PICK: CLARKSTON 28, LAKE ORION 14.

 

 

6. Oxford at 3. West Bloomfield: The Lakers are in a foul mood after losing a 24-21 heartbreaker to Clarkston last week. West Bloomfield will take on an Oxford team that is riding a ton of emotion after surviving 14-13 over Oak Park last week. The Lakers have won six straight over the Wildcats. This looks to be a mismatch on paper, it could be a long night for Oxford in the Swamp.

SANDY DUNES PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 31, OXFORD 14.

LOCKE PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 28, OXFORD 14.

DUNLAP PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 28, OXFORD 14.

BURNEY PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 20, OXFORD 14.

STICK PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 31, OXFORD 24.

COTTER PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 38, OXFORD 14.

 

 

5. Berkley at Troy Athens: There are a ton of storylines heading into this game at Troy Athens. This is the ninth all time meeting between Berkley and Troy Athens. The Bears are 3-0 for the first time since 2016. The program will face its first major test this season in the form of former coach Billy Keenest. Keenest took over at Berkley for one season after coming over from Troy Athens. He left Berkley to take the Red Hawks job the following season. The Red Hawks had lost its previous two games by a combined 13 points but bounced back by beating Avondale 21-13 last week. This week starts a really tough stretch if the Bears want to win the Blue starting with Troy Athens this week followed by home games against Bloomfield Hills and Rochester. The game against the Falcons could have major importance if Berkley can win this week and next week. Troy Athens wants to make a statement and by beating Berkley could very well do that.

SANDY DUNES PICK: BERKLEY 24, TROY ATHENS 21.

LOCKE PICK: TROY ATHENS 21, BERKLEY 17.

DUNLAP PICK: TROY ATHENS 21, BERKLEY 17.

BURNEY PICK: BERKLEY 24, TROY ATHENS 22.

STICK PICK: BERKLEY 21, TROY ATHENS 20.

COTTER PICK: BERKLEY 19, TROY ATHENS 14.

 

 

Royal Oak at 7. Rochester: The Falcons are 3-0 for the first time since 1993 after beating Bloomfield Hills 42-20 at home last week. The victory over the Blackhawks gave Rochester control of their own destiny in the Blue. This is the fourth all time meeting with the Ravens. The Falcons have won all three meetings by blowouts. Royal Oak won 43-0 over Pontiac last week. This looks like a complete mismatch on paper.

SANDY DUNES PICK: ROCHESTER 42, ROYAL OAK 0.

LOCKE PICK: ROCHESTER over ROYAL OAK.

DUNLAP PICK: ROCHESTER 42, ROYAL OAK 7.

BURNEY PICK: ROCHESTER 28, ROYAL OAK 20.

STICK PICK: ROCHESTER 42, ROYAL OAK 21.

COTTER PICK: ROCHESTER 49, ROYAL OAK 7.

 

 

8. Seaholm at 9. Groves: The battle of Birmingham should be very interesting this week. We don’t know the health of Jack Woods after he got hurt in the Falcons 36-26 win over North Farmington last week. Groves had won seven straight over their rivals from 13 Mile Road however that changed in the district finals where the Maples stunned the Falcons 42-7 last season. Seaholm won an emotional 20-17 game over Adams last week but this will be the first time they have gone on the road this season. It should be a very interesting game in Beverly Hills.

SANDY DUNES PICK: SEAHOLM 21, GROVES 17.

LOCKE PICK: GROVES over SEAHOLM.

DUNLAP PICK: SEAHOLM 24, GROVES 21.

BURNEY PICK: GROVES 31, SEAHOLM 30.

STICK PICK: SEAHOLM 24, GROVES 21.

COTTER PICK: SEAHOLM 27, GROVES 21.

 

 

Troy at Ferndale: This the 17^th all-time meeting between Troy and Ferndale with the Colts holding a 15-1 record. These are two teams that are coming off blowout losses last week. The Colts lost 26-0 at home to Berkley while the Eagles were hammered 49-8 by Allen Park. Ferndale has the athletes coming into this game but Troy has depth. This will be an interesting clash of styles.

SANDY DUNES PICK: FERNDALE 35, TROY 7.

LOCKE PICK: FERNDALE over TROY.

DUNLAP PICK: FERNDALE 27, TROY 10.

BURNEY PICK: TROY 21, FERNDALE 14.

STICK PICK: FERNDALE 27, TROY 21.

COTTER PICK: FERNDALE 34, TROY 7.

 

 

Birmingham Brother Rice at Bloomfield Hills: The Blackhawks thought that they would be heading to Ohio but a cancellation changed things so Bloomfield Hills picked up Birmingham Brother Rice. The Warriors needed a game winning field goal to beat Orchard Lake St. Marys 10-7 last week and right now are in firm control in the Catholic League Central division. The Blackhawks defense was exposed allowing 42 points in a 42-20 loss to Rochester last week. This looks like a mismatch on paper but it could be a good game.

SANDY DUNES PICK: BIRMINGHAM BROTHER RICE 42, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 21.

LOCKE PICK: BIRMINGHAM BROTHER RICE over BLOOMFIELD HILLS.

DUNLAP PICK: BIRMINGHAM BROTHER RICE 28, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 7.

BURNEY PICK: BIRMINGHAM BROTHER RICE 25, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 18.

STICK PICK: BIRMINGHAM BROTHER RICE 28, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 21.

COTTER PICK: BIRMINGHAM BROTHER RICE 42, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 13.

 

 

North Farmington at Farmington: The Farmington Cup is always an interesting trophy to have but lately these two Farmington rivals are a combined 1-5 coming into this game. Last season was nuts with both teams playing for the Blue title and coming in undefeated. North Farmington won 12-7 at Tom Holland Field giving them the Blue and having an undefeated regular season for the first time since 1978. The move up to the White hasn’t been that rosy as mentioned for both teams. The Raiders fell 36-26 to Groves last week. The Falcons were blown out 55-0 at Stoney Creek. Farmington has been blown out in all three games this season. This could be very ugly at Falcon Field.

SANDY DUNES PICK: NORTH FARMINGTON 56, FARMINGTON 0.

LOCKE PICK: NORTH FARMINGTON 42, FARMINGTON 0.

DUNLAP PICK: NORTH FARMINGTON 35, FARMINGTON 7.

BURNEY PICK: NORTH FARMINGTON 32, FARMINGTON 29.

STICK PICK: NORTH FARMINGTON 24, FARMINGTON 14.

COTTER PICK: NORTH FARMINGTON 42, FARMINGTON 14.

 

 

Avondale at Pontiac: These are two neighborhood rivals trying to build momentum heading into the postseason. Avondale has dominated the series with Pontiac. The Phoenix have really struggled, they haven’t scored a point this season which included a 43-0 loss to Royal Oak last week. The Yellow Jackets have been really disappointing especially with the experience they have. Avondale lost 21-13 to Troy Athens last week. Someone will get their first win of the season at Wisner Stadium.

SANDY DUNES PICK: AVONDALE 42, PONTIAC 8.

LOCKE PICK: AVONDALE over PONTIAC.

DUNLAP PICK: AVONDALE 35, PONTIAC 0.

BURNEY PICK: AVONDALE 23, PONTIAC 13.

STICK PICK: AVONDALE 28, PONTIAC 14.

COTTER PICK: AVONDALE 49, PONTIAC 6.

 

 

Southfield Arts and Tech at Oak Park: These two teams are no strangers to each other. The Warriors had a week off after someone tested positive for COVID-19 which caused them to miss their game with Lake Orion last week. The Knights had a 13-0 lead at Oxford only to fall 14-13 to the Wildcats. The loss to Oxford sent Oak Park to 0-3 despite playing a very brutal schedule. Both teams are a combined 0-5 however someone will win this game and hopefully build momentum heading to the postseason.

SANDY DUNES PICK: OAK PARK 34, SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 20.

LOCKE PICK: SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH over OAK PARK.

DUNLAP PICK: SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 24, OAK PARK 20.

BURNEY PICK: SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 34, OAK PARK 32.

STICK PICK: SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 35, OAK PARK 28.

COTTER PICK: SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 28, OAK PARK 13.

 

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Boys Soccer Districts are Out.

 Written Sunday October 4th at 11:40 AM

Here are the Boys Soccer districts released by the MHSAA this morning. Anthony Taormina gives you his favorites and challengers in the districts.

District 5 at Novi

Novi vs Brighton

Novi/Brighton vs Novi Detroit Catholic Central

 

Northville vs Walled Lake Western

NORTH FARMINGTON vs South Lyon

 

TRAIN FAVORITE: Novi Detroit Catholic Central.

TRAIN CHALLENGERS: Novi.

 

INSIGHT: This should be an interesting district. Novi Detroit Catholic Central is the favorite but will have a say. Northville is a wildcard in this district. It will be interesting to say the least.

 

District 6 at Royal Oak

FARMINGTON vs ROYAL OAK

FARMINGTON/ROYAL OAK vs Livonia Stevenson

 

SEAHOLM vs GROVES

SEAHOLM/GROVES vs BERKLEY

 

TRAIN FAVORITE: Livonia Stevenson

TRAIN CHALLENGERS: Berkley

 

INSIGHT: Livonia Stevenson has had an incredible season but keep on Berkley, Seaholm, and Groves. Whoever wins that side of the draw should clash with the Spartans in the district finals. The Bears have postseason experience on their side.

 

District 10 at Romeo

OXFORD vs Romeo

CLARKSTON vs ADAMS

 

LAKE ORION vs Utica Eisenhower

ROCHESTER vs STONEY CREEK

 

TRAIN FAVORITE: Stoney Creek

TRAIN CHALLENGERS: Oxford

 

INSIGHT: This is a pick em district. Stoney Creek has played a tough schedule but keep an eye on Oxford, Clarkston, Adams, Utica Eisenhower, Rochester, and Lake Orion. They could be huge threats at Dan Barnabo Field. Should be a very competitive district.

 

District 11 at Waterford Mott

WEST BLOOMFIELD vs Sterling Heights Stevenson

TROY ATHENS vs Utica Ford II

 

BLOOMFIELD HILLS vs TROY

Waterford Mott vs Utica

 

TRAIN FAVORITE: Troy Athens

TRAIN CHALLENGERS: Troy

 

INSIGHT: This is looking like it will be a Troy vs Troy Athens district final, everything is pointing to it. There really aren’t a lot of teams in this district that could threaten the Troy schools.

 

District 27 at Linden

PONTIAC vs Holly

Linden vs Orchard Lake St. Marys

 

AVONDALE vs Goodrich

Brandon vs Lake Fenton

 

TRAIN FAVORITE: Linden

TRAIN CHALLENGERS: Brandon

 

INSIGHT: Linden has been off to a hot start resulting a 10-0 record. The Eagles top challenger should be Brandon. The Blackhawks have had a good season. The wildcard would be Pontiac based off record but right now it looks like it could a Brandon vs Linden district finals.

Week Three Thoughts.

Written Friday September 2nd at 10:45 PM

Here are my thoughts after Friday's games.

Lake Orion had to survive on Friday in Wayne County. The Dragons couldn’t get any flow in the game especially offensive side of the football. They turned the football over three times but they ended up getting a 99 yard drive in the third quarter. The Lake Orion defense played real well all night long. They had to hold on late after giving up a score but they forced the field goal kicker to miss the extra point in a 7-6 hard earned victory on Friday night over Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit. The offense had to figure things out and quick but the defense looks solid.

Oak Park had a strong first half against Oxford but their own turnovers doomed them in this game. The Wildcats had the ball for the entire third quarter which resulted in a huge touchdown. The Knights had a chance to win the game but a dropped pass in the endzone cost Oak Park the game. The Oxford defense held on to secure the huge 14-13 win over the Knights on Friday night. The Wildcats are better than people think. Oak Park had only two drives in the second half, that can’t happen especially with Southfield Arts and Tech looming next week.

Rochester is 3-0 for the first time since 1993 after beating Bloomfield Hills 42-20 on Friday night. Coach Eric Vernon has a quarterback in Alex Bueno whom has done a wonderful job along with a ton of experience. The Falcons are a team that could seriously be a threat to win the Blue this season. The Blackhawks really struggled with consistency defensively. They are still learning how to win. This was a bit of a setback for Coach Dan Loria’s team.

I was disappointed with Ferndale on Friday night getting blown out by Allen Park 49-8 by the Jaguars. I know Allen Park is a very good team but this was a bit of a setback for me seeing what happened to the Eagles. I thought Ferndale looked overwhelmed in that game. They need to bounce back and quick.

I wasn’t surprised with Royal Oak’s performance against Pontiac winning 43-0 on Friday night. I still think the Phoenix are improved. The Ravens needed a bounce back win after struggling early. Royal Oak will be an interesting team to watch.

Troy Athens picked up a huge win on Friday night beating Avondale 21-13. The Red Hawks are solid and experienced. I don’t know what’s going on with Avondale. The Yellow Jackets have some issues they need to address and quick.

Stoney Creek had no problem with Farmington blowing them out in their “Commitment for a Cause” game 55-0. The Cougars are for real. The Falcons are really struggling right now to day the least.

Adams lost a heartbreaker to Seaholm 20-17 on Friday night in Birmingham. The Highlanders are fine going forward. The Maples bounced back after a tough loss to Stoney Creek in week one winning two straight. Both teams are fine going forward.

North Farmington has been struggling which is surprising losing 36-26 to Groves on Friday night. The Raiders are not a deep team which is a concern moving forward. The Falcons are a hit and miss team as well. It will be interesting how both of these teams respond moving forward.

Berkley sent a statement on Friday night winning 26-0 over Troy. The Bears are rolling right now and clicking on all cylinders. The Colts are fine right now but they will need to bounce back as they have a good Ferndale squad looming.

Clarkston made a statement on Friday night beating West Bloomfield 24-21 in overtime on Friday night. Mike DePillo’s running ability has me impressed. His leadership has improved as well. West Bloomfield I think is fine going forward. It was just a good heavyweight fight between two powerhouse teams.

Week Three Recap.

Written Friday October 2nd at 10:50 PM

INSIDE THE OAA TOP 10.

1. Stoney Creek

2. Clarkston

3. West Bloomfield

4. Lake Orion

5. Berkley

6. Oxford

7. Rochester

8. Seaholm

9. Groves

10. Adams

 

Week Three Scores

LAKE ORION 7, Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit 6.

CLARKSTON 24, WEST BLOOMFIELD 21.

OXFORD 14, OAK PARK 13.

STONEY CREEK 55, FARMINGTON 0.

GROVES 36, NORTH FARMINGTON 26.

SEAHOLM 20, ADAMS 17.

BERKLEY 26, TROY 0.

Allen Park 49, FERNDALE 8.

ROCHESTER 42, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 20.

TROY ATHENS 21, AVONDALE 13.

ROYAL OAK 43, PONTIAC 0.

 

BIG WIN: Clarkston: The Wolves survived on Friday night at home beating West Bloomfield 24-21 in overtime. The Lakers will be fine though moving forward. I was really impressed with Mike DePillo’s running ability for Clarkston. The Wolves will head to Lake Orion next week to play the Dragons while the Lakers host Oxford in the Swamp next week.

TOUGH LOSS: Adams: The Highlanders suffered a tough loss on Friday night in Birmingham to Seaholm 20-17. The Maples and Adams went back and forth with the lead but it was Seaholm led by Will McBride that got the winning score. Parker Picot had a big night for the Highlanders scoring twice on the night. Adams will host Stoney Creek while Seaholm will head to Beverly Hills to play Groves next week.

WHAT HAPPENED? Bloomfield Hills: The Blackhawks had all the momentum and optimism heading into their game with Rochester on Friday night but it was the Falcons that sent a statement winning 42-20. The Falcons are for real. Rochester is 3-0 for the first time since 1993 will host Royal Oak next week while Bloomfield Hills hosts Birmingham Brother Rice.

TEAM THAT MADE A STATEMENT: Berkley: The Bears are for real. Berkley is 3-0 after blowing out Troy 26-0 on Friday night at Don Colt Stadium over the Colts. The Bears have a really tough game looming next week when they go to Troy Athens. The Colts need to bounce back in the worst way as they head to Ferndale next week.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Ferndale: What happened to the Eagles in Allen Park on Friday night??? I didn’t expect Ferndale to get blown out 49-8 by the Jaguars. Ferndale was just overwhelmed in that game. The Eagles will need to bounce back in a big way next week when they host Troy.