2018 Volleyball Preview.

Written Saturday August 11th at 9:15 PM

Here are the projections and insight for each of the divisions heading into the 2018 Volleyball season.

Volleyball Top 23

1. Clarkston

2. Lake Orion

3. Stoney Creek

4. Troy

5. Bloomfield Hills

6. Adams

7. West Bloomfield

8. Oxford

9. Troy Athens

10. Seaholm

11. Harrison

12. Rochester

13. Groves

14. North Farmington

15. Avondale

16. Farmington

17. Royal Oak

18. Hazel Park

19. Southfield Arts and Tech

20. Ferndale

21. Berkley

22. Pontiac

23. Oak Park

INSIDE THE OAA PROJECTIONS:

Red

Clarkston

Lake Orion

Stoney Creek

Troy

Bloomfield Hills

Adams

Seaholm

Oxford

WHY CLARKSTON: The Wolves lost Abby Malanowski and Kayla Luchenbach from last season so people would think this season it would be a rebuilding year at Clarkston, well that won’t be the case. The Wolves return Clare Nowicki whom is a superstar in the making along with Sierra Keresten. Keresten is a softball commit but does bring a volleyball element to her game and that’s not mentioning that this team has Skylar Jidas, Hailey Stewart, Kelsey Schaldenbrand, and McKenzie Rotter all coming back as well for coach Kelly Pinner. Also another reason is that the Wolves always find a way to pick their game up during the season and when they get to the postseason, this team is as dangerous as anyone.

NEXT: Lake Orion: The Dragons were riddled with injuries and really unperformed last season. Danielle Sargent and Illrya Kliaj have graduated and will be tough to replace. They will need several players to step up. If Paige Briggs and Wren McCaulley can stay healthy then coach Tony Scavarda will have his team going places. Lake Orion is going to need to have big seasons from Ciara Livingway, Olivia Long, Lauren Bell, Leigah Boes, Riley Hunter, Sydney Smith, Sydney Gruppenhoff, and Kendall Robertson. Hunter will look to be on the other side of Briggs. The Dragons are senior heavy but consistency has been a big problem with this team in the past so anything less could be a failed season.

WILDCARD: Bloomfield Hills, Stoney Creek, Troy: There are plenty of teams that could make an impact, these three teams have star players along with a very good supporting cast. The Blackhawks have a new coach in Larry Wyatt who was hired in late July takes over for Bob Hurdle whom shockingly stepped down. Wyatt will have Alexa Rousseau along with Brooke Bosart, Ava Slazinski,  Noelle Siewek, Lily Formanek, and Kaitlyn Keele returning. The Cougars have a ton of talent returning led by Kate Stration for coach Ross Talbott along with a strong supporting cast in Sara Thompson, Reema Gowda, Ashley Gadzik, Nina Billoto, and Ava Menzo. The Colts also has a star in Jessica Robinson. Robinson joins a loaded Troy team for Tom Vigilant in Fran McBride, Faith Keating, Athena Sampson, Bella Zaleski, Nikola Palinca, Caroline Shabet, Elena D’Souza, and Rachel Turpin. Any of these three teams could make some noise this season.

WHO CAN CHALLENGE THEM: Adams is back in the Red has some talent coming back from a team that won the White last season. The Highlanders return Juhi Valera, Emanella Gjokaj, Bailey Pease, Kaitlyn Petoskey, Ashley Rill, Julia Schafer, Laura Sebastian, and Sophie Noll for coach Bridgette Harding. Oxford will be an interesting to keep an eye on as coach Brian Kim will look for better results in his second season. The Wildcats will be led by Madelyn Weiss, Anna Trbovich, Alyssa DeTone, Anna Peruski, Rachel Gubesch, Catherine Dobbies, Alexa Kingdom, Sydney Richter, Emma LaBarge, and Mackenzie Miller. Seaholm doesn't have a ton of household names but they are always in the mix. The Maples well coached under the Gambone family (Jason and Heather (Lippert.)

PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Paige Briggs: Lake Orion. If there is one player that would like to forget last season, it’s Paige Briggs. Briggs (Western Kentucky commit) transferred from Oxford two years ago suffered a knee injury that cut her season short last season. If Briggs were healthy last season then maybe Lake Orion would have had a deep playoff run. If the Dragons want to make some noise this season they need Briggs to be the team’s best player every night and for her to stay healthy during the season.

White

Troy Athens

West Bloomfield

Harrison

Rochester

Groves

Avondale

Farmington

Southfield Arts and Tech

WHY TROY ATHENS: The Red Hawks were in the Red last season, they had to learn a lot from being up in that division with powerhouse programs like Clarkston, Lake Orion, Stoney Creek, Bloomfield Hills, Troy, and Oxford. Also what helps Troy Athens is they have a ton of experience coming back led by Alexa Withun for coach Stacey Miller. I think that experience in the Red last season will help the Red Hawks in the White next season.

NEXT: West Bloomfield: The Lakers will certainly in the thick of things. They have a ton of talent returning for coach Dana Gray led by Laura King (VCU commit) Gabrielle Zubrzycki, Dana Suchara, Jenna Rogind, Victoria Reading, Grace Allread, Lyndsey Cooper, and Kendall Jones. All of these players saw experience and should be better heading into the season.

WILDCARD: Southfield Arts and Tech: The Warriors are the great unknown. They won the Blue last season and earned their way up to the White. Southfield Arts and Tech has a new coach in Alisha Love whom takes over for William Reed. It will be interesting to see what happens as the Warriors will have to go through an interesting transition.

ANYONE ELSE: Rochester will be going through a new system again as coach Kirk Gibbs takes over a program that needs stability. The Falcons will be led by Leona Falconer, Ryan Allor, Sailor Mayes, Pegi Laci, Carly Rodman, Kaitlyn Kennedy, Rachel Gilbert, and Helena Rowland. Harrison could surprise folks in their final season for coach Michael Love led by Melinda Hakaj, Brooke Hykla, Kristen Hankins, and Mary Williams. Groves has Ellie Ruprich back for coach Jenny Brown’s team but consistency issues could bother the Falcons program. Farmington has Sydney Eggleton back for coach Katie Drews in which they will be a very young team. Avondale will be an interesting team to keep an eye on as well.

PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Alexa Withun: Troy Athens. Withun has gotten some attention from the media lately. Withrun will be led upon for a Red Hawks team that suffered last season. Troy Athens should be better this season moving down a division but Withun is going to need to be a big key if the Red Hawks want to make some noise this season.

Blue

North Farmington

Hazel Park

Ferndale

Berkley

Royal Oak

Pontiac

Oak Park

WHY NORTH FARMINGTON: The Raiders have a ton of talent coming back for coach Kat Hall. North Farmington will be led by MiKayla Hines, DeLayna Jabbori, Laylah Carter, Katy Cangemi, and Alyssa Murphy. Any time you come from the White to the Blue you should be the favorite coming into this division.

NEXT: Hazel Park: The Vikings can certainly challenge in their final season in the OAA. They are loaded with experience led by Leighanna Passeno, Madisyn Harris, Faith Aquino, Olivia Fortress, and Brooke Lynch. Experience also matters as well which should help Hazel Park.

WILDCARD: Ferndale: The Eagles could be a team that in the past has made some noise so it will be interesting to see what Ferndale has heading into the season.

ANYONE ELSE: I don’t expect Pontiac or Oak Park to contend this season, Berkley and Royal Oak might be surprising darkhorse teams. The Bears are in an interesting spot as they have some talent coming up for coach Chantelle Corson. The Ravens under coach Emily Burwinkle had a tough first season but will hope to turn things around this season

PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Faith Aquino: Hazel Park. The Vikings have a ton of experience to make some noise this season. Aquino has a ton of experience after playing last season. She will be expected to do more if Hazel Park wants to make noise in their final season in the OAA.

2018 Football Uniform designs.

Written Friday August 3rd at 3:15 PM

Here is my take from the football uniforms and grades from OAA Media Day at Rochester.

ADAMS: The Highlanders have three jerseys from Russell Athletics along with the gold helmets. Traditionally Adams helmet has an A with a sword underneath the A but last season the Highlanders to celebrate their 50^th anniversary went with the script Adams on the helmet which I though was a horrible decision to do that. Adams has a Highlander kilt design on the elbows on all three jerseys which is very interesting. On their home brown jerseys they have a gold V-Neck with the front that has the name ADAMS and the number in gold trim on the front. Adams under coach Tony Patrino usually wear white pants with a gold outline on the side with the name HIGHLANDERS. On the road whites the jerseys are same exact design as the home uniforms with the Highlander kilt on the elbows with the name ADAMS and lettering and numbers are in brown with gold for the outline. On the alternate jerseys it’s an all gray with the same design but the lettering and numbers are larger than on the home and road jerseys. I really feel these should be the Highlanders home uniforms, not the brown jerseys. Until they change the design on the helmet, an A is not in the cards right now. GRADE B.

AVONDALE: The Yellow Jackets have three different uniform combinations to go along with their purple helmet that has the bee on the sides. The provider of the uniforms is Adidas which is something that I don’t like but the design I do like. On the home purple jerseys it has the name AVONDALE on them with the number in yellow and the numbers on the shoulders. On their alternate jerseys which are yellow, it’s the same design with purple and white and on the road white it’s purple numbering and gold outline on the shoulders. The Adidas logo sticks out which is not good. Get rid of that Adidas logo and you have a good uniform. GRADE B.

ATHENS: The Red Hawks went back to their traditional gold helmet with the Red Hawks logo on them. They went the all red look for home games and the all-white look for road games. On the helmet, I don’t understand the name on top of the helmet with the red outline but that’s for another day. They put the last names of the players on the back of them which is a big plus. What I don’t like about their uniforms is the provider, Adidas. Another thing I didn’t like was the hawk wings on the elbows. I kind of wish they would put the number of the players on the elbows. The design and clean look is good but just don’t like whom provided the uniforms. GRADE C.

BERKLEY: The Bears have an interesting uniform design given to them by Nike. The helmets were dark blue with the Bears logo on them until Missouri State copyrighted the Bears logo and they went with a white helmet with the B logo on the sides. The home dark blue uniforms has the BEARS name and numbers. The numbers are italicized on the front of the jerseys with a white stripe on the elbows and numbers on the shoulders. The all white look is awful, you can’t see the numbers because they are in white with only the outline the name BERKLEY in dark blue. The home uniforms at Hurley Field looks good but the road ones need work. GRADE C.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS: The Blackhawks changed their uniform look last season when they went to Nike from Russell Athletic in 2015. Bloomfield Hills went with the black helmet with a Blackhawks design on them on both sides. They went from the black to the purple for their home uniforms last season. It has the name BLACKHAWKS on it with white lettering. What is interesting is that they have white on the elbows with purple numbering and white outlines to go along with purple pants. The road white uniforms say HILLS on them with purple lettering. They have black on the shoulders with the purple numbering on them with white pants. It’s an interesting and good uniform design but it’s interesting though that purple although not a bad color was the color they went with. GRADE B.

CLARKSTON: The Wolves went to two different uniform providers with their design to go along with the classic Michigan helmet look. The home dark blue jerseys are provided by Under Armor which has the CLARKSTON name in small font and in white with the gold numbering with white outlines on the front of the jerseys. The numbers are on the shoulders with the same design to go along with the blue pants. The road uniforms are provided by Nike, to which the jersey says CLARKSTON with the blue numbers and gold outlines. They have numbers also on the elbows as well but the numbers are very odd in an unusual way with white pants. It’s interesting that a school like Clarkston needing two different jersey providers doesn’t always go well with me. GRADE C+

FARMINGTON: The Falcons are going with a whole new look this season. Farmington is getting rid of their traditional Penn State look and going with a new design from Nike. The Falcons added gray to their new jerseys with the Falcons logo on the back of both of them. On the new road jerseys they have a gray stripe on the middle with two dark blue stripes in between on the shoulders. On the front there is the name FARMINGTON in small font with the number in gray and dark blue outlining. On the new home jerseys the stripe in the middle is white with gray on the sides of the shoulders along with the name FARMINGTON and the number on the crest of the home dark blue jerseys. I’m going to miss the traditional Penn State look but it’s an interesting uniform design but the white helmet could be a problem. GRADE B-

FERNDALE: The Eagles have three uniform combinations to choose from with their Russell Athletic providers and they look very good combined with their gold helmets. Ferndale has their traditional home brown uniforms with gold numbers outlined in white with white elbows and gold outline. They have the EAGLES name crested in small font with the players numbers. The road white uniforms have a brown outline on the elbows with brown and gold numbers on the shoulders. The crest has the number and a small FERNDALE on them. The all gold uniforms also look good as well. I like Ferndale’s crop of uniforms especially if they go with the all brown, all white, or all gold. Makes a great uniform. GRADE A.

GROVES: This maybe the best look in football for me in my opinion. The green Falcons helmet with the gold Falcons logo looks good. I love the green, gold, and black design of the Falcons that Nike made. The home green is perfect with the black elbows and the font with the name GROVES and numbering is gold with black pants. The road white uniforms are also great but with no gold. It has the green elbows with the numbers on the shoulders. The name GROVES and numbers are also green to go along with white pants. I love this look, please don’t change this up. GRADE A.

HAZEL PARK: The Vikings uniforms are very unique especially with the maroon helmet. Hazel Park’s road uniforms are all white with the name HAZEL PARK in small font along with maroon and gray trim. The home uniforms are maroon with gray and white trim with the numbers on the elbows. The team went to Addix this season so that will be interesting. It will be the final season for the Vikings in the OAA so it will be interesting to see what happens. GRADE D.

HARRISON: The Hawks enter their final season with the traditional uniforms. They have the same yellow helmet with the traditional H football with the white and green striping on top and the yellow pants with the green and white stripes. What bothers me a bit is that Nike gave Harrison the same jerseys but different font sizes with the name on front of the jerseys. Some of the uniforms are big while the others are small in lettering. The home green uniforms have the name HAWKS on them with the white and yellow outline numbering. They have the two gold stripe and one big white stripe on the shoulders with the numbers on the elbows. The road white uniforms have the same design but with two green stripes and one gold stripe with the numbers on the elbows. The name HARRISON is on the front with the numbers in green and gold outline. Never go against the classics. GRADE A-

LAKE ORION: The Dragons have not been the same uniform wise since they went with Nike in 2012 when they had the traditional Russell Athletic uniforms. This season, Lake Orion is going back to a uniform design that has benefited them in the past the opposite elbow uniforms. On the home green jerseys to which they wore from 2013-2014, it will say DRAGONS with the numbers on the front of the jerseys. The elbows will be the opposite color which is white. On the road white uniforms it is the 2012 design with the green elbows that sent the team to the State Semifinals that season, the front will say DRAGONS and have the players numbers in the front. The nameplates will also be in the back of the jerseys as well. The Dragons uniforms are very unique but the opposite elbow look gives me a passing grade for Lake Orion. GRADE A.

NORTH FARMINGTON: The Raiders went with new uniforms this offseason after having an outdated design since 2007, which was awesome and what helped was yours truly had some input on coach Bob Chiesa football team’s new look. The new brown uniforms look awesome with the name NORTH on the chest with a yellow V-Neck and white numbering. North Farmington added yellow stripes on the elbows and white numbering on the shoulders. The home pants are brown with yellow stripes on the sides with the name RAIDERS on them. The road white uniforms look awesome as well with the name NORTH FARMINGTON crested on the chest with the numbering in brown with a yellow outline. What I really love is that Chiesa went with the Harrison look with the two brown stripes and one big yellow stripe on the shoulders. The road white pants are very good as well with brown stripes with the name RAIDERS on them. The helmet concerns me a bit that it’s white still, if Chiesa goes yellow helmets then this is awesome but progress is being made thus far. GRADE A.

OAK PARK: The Knights have three jerseys that they have. Their home red uniforms look very good with the white elbows and numbers on the shoulders with KNIGHTS on the chest with white numbering. The road white has the same look but with the red elbows and red numbering on the shoulders with the name OAK PARK on them in red. The third alt jerseys are all black with the name OAK PARK on the chest with red numbering on the shoulders. The home and road uniforms look very good as always and with the OP multi colored helmet it makes a very good combination even the pants with the red, white, or black. GRADE A-

OXFORD: The Wildcats went to straight Under Armor after going with Russell Athletic for a little while. Oxford wears dark blue helmets with the O on one side of the helmet and the traditional yellow pants. The home dark blue jerseys have the name WILDCATS and the number on the front with the numbers in yellow with white outlining. They have the numbers on the shoulders as well. The road uniforms are very similar with the name OXFORD with the blue numbering and yellow outlines on the shoulders. It’s an interesting design to say the least. GRADE B-

PONTIAC: The Phoenix got new uniforms last season and they look sharp. Pontiac had two different companies make their uniforms to along with the gray helmet with the Phoenix logo on them. Their home purple uniforms they went with the Russell Athletic look with the name PONTIAC and the number in italics. They have a black line that goes through the top of the jerseys with a white square on the side of shoulders. I like this design, thought it looks very good with the purple pants as well. The road white jerseys are made by Nike with the name PONTIAC with the lettering in purple. The numbers are also on the elbows and there is a purple stripe on the shoulders. It’s an interesting uniform combination to say the least for coach Charles Talley and his team. GRADE C.

ROCHESTER: Whomever is the Falcons uniform designer has doom written all over it. Rochester went to an all white look with the helmet, jersey, and pants. They had the same look but with the blue jerseys last season with the FALCONS name in small font with the number in white with a white stripe on the shoulders. The road white has the name ROCHESTER on them. The white helmets were horrible, they need to go back to the blue helmets right now AQAP. GRADE C-

ROYAL OAK: The Ravens have three different looks to their uniforms with black helmets. The helmets were interesting as they had the Ravens logo on one side with the players number on the other side of them for coach Ray McMann Their home black uniforms were awesome, especially with the white to blue elbows with the numbers on the shoulders. The name RAVENS is on the chest with the numbers. They have a third uniform which is used for a special occasion. They would wear blue uniforms with white pants which is okay with me. The down for me is their road uniforms which is a complete 180. The company that provided them were Adidas with a very similar design to Troy Athens uniforms. The name ROYAL OAK and numbers are on the front and the Adidas logo shows on top with the Ravens wings on the elbows. The home jerseys are awesome, the third jerseys are decent, but the road jerseys are just awful. GRADE C.

SEAHOLM: I love the Maples look by Nike. I’m not a big fan of the pants though with the name MAPLES name on the side of them. The jersey I like, the home Maple jerseys have the White elbows and white stripe with the names on the back of the jerseys. The road jerseys are the opposite with the Maple elbows and stripe on them with the name plates on the back of the jerseys. The chest has SEAHOLM and the number on both of them in Maple. I like the jerseys but not the pants or the helmet. They need to go back to the marron helmet and quickly. GRADE B-

SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH: The Warriors uniform design is interesting with a red, white, and blue set of uniforms. Southfield Arts and Tech uses the uniform designs to their own choosing. The blue helmet with the S A&T logo on the left side of the helmet does bother me a bit, looking a bit like the Pittsburgh Steelers. What I don’t like is that big Adidas logo sticking out on top of the name plate. It doesn’t even need to be there. The name of the uniforms has WARRIORS sticking out with the numbers and the small font numbers on the elbows on all three uniforms. The design is fine but wish they would increase the font size and get rid of Adidas. It’s an awful look for them. GRADE: C.

STONEY CREEK: I am in love with Stoney Creek’s new football uniforms that Under Armor provided for them. The new uniforms the team showed at their Moms Clinic remind me of a great basketball uniform when Michigan State wore back in the mid 2000’s. On both the uniforms the players last names are on the back. I like the white on the crest with the name COUGARS and gold numbering along with gold on the side of the uniform on the home dark navy uniforms with the gold V-Neck. The road white has the same design but with the name STONEY CREEK on the uniforms and blue on the sides. They will have three different pants with the navy blue, white, and gold looks. The helmet I think needs a makeover, if coach Nick Merlo can get rid of the SC logo with the numbers on the sides and bring back the Cougars logo on them with a blue line on top then this uniform is awesome. Whomever did this look, I would say awesome job and ARMOR UP. GRADE A.

TROY: The Colts are well known for their black helmet with black pants which is the main color of Troy. They have two different set of uniforms with two different companies which is always a no-no in my book. What makes this worse is that the Colts went with Adidas for their road uniforms. They have the Colts logo on the shoulders and have just added a set of white pants to go with the white uniforms. The black helmet is just awful with the TC on one side of the uniform and the players number on the other side with a gray stripe on it. The home black uniforms are from Russell Athletic. They have the players last names on the back and a bit of gray, white, and red trim with the name TROY on the front with the numbers in white lettering to go with the traditional black pants. The home look is an A, the road look is an F. GRADE D.

WEST BLOOMFIELD: The Lakers uniform is interesting but what bothers me is the helmet. The helmet should go back to green in my opinion but keep the design with the line and numbers on the side. West Bloomfield has four different uniform combinations to go with. I think Nike has done a great job with the Lakers uniforms to go along with the white pants that has green stripes on the side. The home green uniform has the name LAKERS with the number in white along with the numbers on the elbows with a white stripe around it. The road jerseys are the opposite with green stripes and numbers on the elbows. The classic alternate look is the military uniforms to which they wear to dedicate to the military, I like that look a lot. Last season, the team went to a black uniform for its final home game of the season which was interesting. The look looks great but if they can change from a white to green helmet then this would be a great uniform combination. GRADE B.

Looking at the OAA Football Non-Conference Opponents.

Written Wednesday August 1st at 4:50 PM

Hello all and happy August which means football is near. So here are some of the non-conference OAA games that could have an impact for 2018.

I did not include OAA vs OAA matchups for this article because they are in the league as a whole.

Here are the non league matchups.

Week One

Utica Eisenhower (vs Oak Park at Wayne State): This will be the second meeting between the Eagles and the Knights that will be back at Wayne State. Utica Eisenhower had a ton of experience led by quarterback Max Whitmur. They shockingly blew out Oak Park 24-7 last season at Wayne State in the Prep Kickoff Classic. The Knights will be looking for revenge as coach Greg Carter brings in a loaded team that is filled with Division One prospects. The Eagles have made the playoffs 18 of the last 19 seasons are well known for their defense under coach Chris Smith which hasn't changed since Smith took over the team following the retirement of Bob Lantzy in 2012. They have 10 starters coming back but they need to replace their quarterback which is expected to be Blake Rastigue. Utica Eisenhower has running back Caleb Oyster, defensive back/wide receiver Ian Kennelly, wide receiver Massimo D'Aristolle, lineman Zach Petkoff, and defensive end JaiJavante Reid returning. I can see this one being a different outcome than last season but if Oak Park can take care of the football and limit turnovers like they couldn’t do last season against the Eagles then it could be a different outcome.

Utica Ford II (at Stoney Creek): This is a very dangerous matchup for the Cougars as they welcome the Falcons of Utica Ford II to Rochester Hills. This will be the second meeting between the teams with Stoney Creek winning at Runkel Field 19-12 last season. The reason why this is a dangerous matchup for the Cougars is that they are going through a transition themselves as Nick Merlo takes over the team and fix a program that has went 8-19 since 2015 and also what the Falcons have went through this offseason. Utica Ford II and its community lost their head coach Todd Kohen whom passed away unexpectedly in early July. Interim coach Tony Smith whom was the team’s defensive coordinator has taken over the team. Koehn used to be an assistant at Stoney Creek prior to taking the job at Utica Ford II. The Falcons have some talent led by lineman Luke Champp whom said in an interview with the Macomb Daily that the team will dedicate the season to Kohen during the Macomb Area Conference Media Day. This matchup as mentioned will be very dangerous for the Cougars even though they are at home.

Grandville (vs Clarkston at Michigan): The defending State Champs will be tested when they take on a Grandville team that will be replacing a ton of talent from a team that made the playoffs four straight seasons but they have a ton of talent returning for coach Eric Stiegel this season. Grandville should be familiar with Clarkston as they played in softball a few years ago and the Wolves played one of the Bulldogs, Ottawa Kent Conference Red rivals in Holland West Ottawa in the regional final last season in Holland. Grandville runs a Wing T offense which could give Clarkston some trouble in this matchup because the Wolves have not seen a team that runs this offense in a long while. The Bulldogs will have linebackers Keith Bush, Jake Paganelli, running backs Shane Baker, Noah Atwell, Nate Nielson, and Camron Terry, along with lineman Connor Krauss, and Landon Poll who is converting from wide receiver to quarterback this season. The Panthers are 27-15 since 2014. It will be the first meeting between the two teams. Clarkston is replacing a ton of their skill position players but the Wolves strength will be up front led by their two top linemen in Rocco Splinter and Garrett Dellinger. It will be an interesting matchup to say the least.

Lapeer (vs Lake Orion at Michigan): This will be an interesting matchup between the Dragons and the Lightning. These teams know each other well from scrimmaging against one another in years past. This will be the first meeting between the teams. Lake Orion comes into this matchup 16-21 since 2015 having missed the playoffs three of the last four years. Lapeer is 33-9 since then, making the playoffs since they merged Lapeer East and Lapeer West. Lapeer is 2-4 against the OAA with those four losses against Clarkston. The Lightning is expected to be one of the best teams in the Saginaw Valley and they have a lot of talent coming back for coach Mike Smith. Lapeer runs a Wing T from the spread formation at times. The offense is led by quarterback Brady Apple and running back Jalen Kirkland. Both of them had big seasons last year and look to have repeat performances again this year. Apple also is the team's kicker as well. The Lightning also have tight end Carson Currie, lineman Luke O'Brien, and wide receiver Drew Johnson. They are solid defensively led by linebacker Phoenix Dickson and lineman Will Sollie. It will be an interesting matchup, both teams very similar going at it. We shall see what happens.

Romeo (at Oxford): This will be the fifth straight meeting between the Wildcats and Bulldogs with this year's meeting being on the blue turf. Romeo is 23-6 all time against Oxford which is something the Wildcats need to change. The last time the Bulldogs came into Oxford as the defending Division One State Champs, the Wildcats stunned Romeo 27-26 in that game. They have won the last two meetings in the series on its home field but elsewhere the Bulldogs have won the other two whether it was at Dan Barnabo Field or at Michigan Stadium by a combined 77-17 including last season’s 30-17 win over Oxford. Romeo has gone through some changes this offseason as they now have one coach instead of co-coaches. Curt Rienas now takes over the team with Jason Couch moving onto coach College Football at Alma College. The Bulldogs loaded with talent led by Brock Horne and Eric Fraeyman. They also had an undefeated Junior Varsity team that is coming up with them. The Wildcats will be tested that is for sure.

Utica (at Bloomfield Hills): This will be the first meeting between these two teams. Both teams were playoff teams last season but they will be different this season. Utica will be replacing a ton of talent from a team that made the playoffs while Bloomfield Hills will be doing the same. The Chieftains are 24-40 since 2010 while the Blackhawks are 15-5 in the last two seasons. It will be interesting whom wins this game because it gives the winner a great start with tough schedules looming for each team.

Davison (vs Southfield Arts and Tech at Wayne State): This will be the second meeting between the Warriors and the Cardinals after last season’s 56-54 triple overtime win by Davison at Wayne State. The Cardinals will be different this season as Drake Reid, the team's top running back has graduated and is now at Grand Valley State. Also they have a new coach in Jacob Weingartz. Weingartz takes over for Kyle Zimmerman whom resigned this offseason comes to Davison from Lapeer where he was an assistant under Mike Smith. Weingartz coached at Lapeer East until the school merged with Lapeer West in 2014 to become Lapeer. The Cardinals went 9-2 last season returns quarterback Cannon Hall and all around athlete Michael Jamerson. Southfield Arts and Tech has had this game circled on their calendars all year long and could be looking for revenge heading to Wayne State.

Fraser (at Ferndale): The Ramblers and Eagles will have their first ever meeting this season. Fraser is 8-19 since 2015 and they have a tough schedule to open up with this game and then Macomb Dakota the following week. Ferndale is 15-5 since 2016 and will look to continue their playoff streak to three years. The Ramblers will hope to make some progress this season in the Macomb Area Conference Blue.

St. Clair Shores Lakeview (vs Royal Oak): This has become quite a rivalry between the Ravens and the Huskies. Usually the winner of this game as made the playoffs and had 21-0 wins in the process. Two years ago it was St. Clair Shores Lakeview that won in St. Clair Shores and last season it was Royal Oak that returned the favor. The Huskies went 2-7 last season but will have the Ravens in St. Clair Shores. Royal Oak has to replace a ton of talent from a team that made the playoffs for the first time since 2006 last season. This will be the third meeting between the two teams. It will be a tough match up for the Ravens going up against a Wing T team like St. Clair Shores Lakeview.

Detroit University Prep (at Hazel Park): This will be the first meeting between the Vikings and the Panthers. Detroit University Prep has the made the playoffs four straight years from 2012-2015 but is 9-8 since. The Panthers will be taking on a Hazel Park team that only has four returning players from a team that made the playoffs for the first time since 2010. Detroit University Prep will present some matchup problems for an inexperienced Vikings team. We shall see what happens in this matchup.

Detroit Consortium (Voyageur) (at Pontiac): The Cougars will present a tough and difficult challenge for the Phoenix to open up at Wisner Stadium. It will be the first meeting between the two programs. Detroit Consortium went 5-4 last season after a 5-0 start. What hurt them down the stretch was that they lost four straight games costing them a trip to the playoffs last season which would had been their first since 2012. The Cougars are 19-27 since their 2012 district final loss to Monroe St. Mary's Catholic Central. Pontiac will have their own share of challenges as they will look to overcome a 4-49 record since 2011 and write their own chapter. It will be an interesting matchup to say the least.

Week Two

Warren Fitzgerald (at Avondale): The Spartans have been red hot lately making the playoffs four straight years and they are no strangers to facing OAA teams, just ask Hazel Park but they lost to Harrison in the playoffs last season. This season, Warren Fitzgerald will take on a Yellow Jackets team that will score in bunches. The Spartans are very quick and talented led by Quanelle Pritchett and well coached under Gary Skop. It could be a high scoring matchup between these two teams in Auburn Hills. We know for sure that Avondale can score with anyone.

Week Three

Warren Lincoln (at Berkley): The Abes are 4-4-1 against the Bears all time but this will be the first meeting since 1958 between the two former Inner-Lakes Conference rivals. Warren Lincoln has not made the playoffs since 2008 when they went 8-2 and has struggled recently going 26-55 since 2009. Berkley is now on their third coach in three years as Sean Shields takes over the program in which they had a rough season going 1-8. This could be a great opportunity for the Bears to get a win at Hurley Field.

Week Four

South Lyon (vs Seaholm): This will be an interesting matchup of two teams trying to find their way this season when the Maples take on the Lions. South Lyon went 1-8 last season, which was their worst season since 1975 but they have about 20 players that have Varsity experience returning for coach Jeff Hanson and their Junior Varsity went 8-1 last season. The Lions are 10-18 since 2015 with one playoff appearance. Seaholm is 11-27 since 2013 which is something they would like to change. It’s a good matchup for both teams and it’s the first meeting between the two teams.

Week Five

Birmingham Detroit Country Day (at Ferndale): The Yellow Jackets had an unexpected setback last season, not making the playoffs (went 4-5 last season) after making the playoffs 11 straight years that included four State final appearances. Birmingham Detroit Country Day lost 17-7 to the Eagles last season in Beverly Hills. It will be the second meeting all time between the teams. The Yellow Jackets have their fair share of talent but Ferndale has their own fair share of talent as well. It will be a make or break game like last season for both teams.

Week Six

Madison Heights Madison (vs Farmington):  I got to wonder what in the heck the Falcons and coach Kory Cicroch gotten themselves into playing this game??? The Eagles are a football power making the playoffs for 12 straight seasons and are well coached under James Rogers. What has helped Madison Heights Madison is they added former Novi Detroit Catholic Central quarterback Austin Brown. Brown has taken two teams to the brink of State titles while he was at Novi Detroit Catholic Central and when he was at Madison Heights Madison last season taking them to the State Semifinals in Division Seven. The Eagles are one of the favorites again to get to Ford Field in Division Seven behind Brown. Farmington has a good defense which should test Brown but the offense could be a problem in this matchup.

Week Seven

Madison Heights Lamphere (vs Hazel Park): This could be a preview of what the Vikings will be seeing in the future once they get to the Macomb Area Conference. The Rams are well coached, talented, and have improved drastically since Jeff Glynn took over the program. Madison Heights Lamphere (5-5) won the Macomb Area Bronze title and was a playoff team last season. Hazel Park only has three returning players from a team that made the playoffs last season but the Rams are loaded again this season and could make some noise in the Macomb Area Conference. The Vikings are 1-1 all time against Madison Heights Lamphere. It could be a tricky ride for Hazel Park in Madison Heights.

Week Eight

Macomb Lutheran North (at North Farmington): The Raiders will have an interesting test at home with Macomb Lutheran North. It will be the first meeting between the two teams. The Panthers went 3-6 last season which was rough. They played two OAA teams in Avondale (41-20) and Royal Oak (42-6) and lost by a combined 83-26. North Farmington went 2-7 last season which was a major improvement after going 0-9 two years ago. The Raiders could be in playoff contention by then but the process continues for North Farmington in this matchup.

Detroit Edison (at Royal Oak): This will be the first meeting between the Ravens and the Pioneers. Detroit Edison finished 2-7 last season. They have not made the playoffs in their six year history (started in 2012.) The Pioneers have met only one other OAA team and that was Farmington where they lost 47-0. It will be an interesting game to say the least but on paper this is a game to which Royal Oak should win.

Week Nine

Catholic League Central Fourth Place team (at West Bloomfield): Whomever finishes last place in the Catholic League Central will take on the Lakers in the Swamp. If it is Orchard Lake St. Marys then it will be a rivalry game as both schools are close to each other. West Bloomfield has never played Novi Detroit Catholic Central, Orchard Lake St. Marys, Birmingham Brother Rice, or Warren De LaSalle in their history. It will be a great test to see where the Lakers stand out heading into the postseason.

River Rouge (vs Southfield Arts and Tech): It could a college football's dream paradise when these two teams meet for the first time. Both teams will have Division One college prospects on the field. The Warriors and their top talent could be in for an interesting matchup against the Panthers in Wayne County. River Rouge has made the playoffs seven years straight is loaded with talent for coach Corey Parker. The Panthers are led by defensive end's Jaylen Henderson, Ruke Orhorhoro, defensive backs Daraun McKinney, Kamal Hadden, Javion Guerrero, tight end Cam Davis, quarterback Emanuel Ferguson, quarterback Mehil Hunt, linebacker Yusif Abdul-Aziz, running backs Caleef Jenkins, D’Andre Bulley, wide receivers R'montaye Caldwell, Xavier Smith, and linemen DaKare Spicer and Dontrell Walker. River Rouge is 77-19 since 2010 and play a very brutal schedule this season which includes playing Detroit Cass Tech early. It will be an interesting matchup for Southfield Arts and Tech and to see where they are at and if they could be in playoff contention (they went 4-5 last season.) The Panthers are a very good opponent, they could win the Michigan Metro Blue Conference title again and make a deep playoff run.

Monroe (vs Lake Orion): This will be the second meeting between the Dragons and the Trojans with Lake Orion beating Monroe 41-22 in the playoffs in 1998. The Trojans are 7-11 since 2016 but they play in a very tough Southeastern Conference. Monroe has some talent to work with in defensive back/running back Mailek Linton, lineman PJ Brown, and linebacker Hayden Brooks. The Dragons bring a solid offense to the party but have had struggles as of late including a disappointing 3-6 season last year. Lake Orion and Monroe will be an interesting matchup to say the least.

Redford Thurston (vs Ferndale): This could be interesting between the Eagles and the Eagles because it will be Ferndale that will travel to Redford for this matchup. Redford Thurston leads the all time series 2-1 with this being the first meeting since 2009 when Redford Thurston won 21-0. Redford Thurston was a playoff team last season finishing with a 7-4 record under coach Bob Snell whom has been there for 31 years. Redford Thurston is expected to be one of the top teams in the Western Wayne Athletic Conference has running back Leon Futchess, linebacker Xavier Coleman, and receivers Keshawn Ware and Javonne DuBose. Both these teams should be playoff teams heading this season. Ferndale will have to replace their starting quarterback which they should have done by this point in the season. It will be a great matchup to see in Ferndale between these two teams.

Detroit Academy Science and Math (at Hazel Park): The Cobras are 8-44 (went 2-7 last season) in their existence as a program since they became a school in 2012. The Vikings meanwhile at one point was 3-33 since 2011 but they made the playoffs last season for the first time since 2010. Hazel Park has only four returning players in their final season in the OAA before they depart to the Macomb Area Conference next season. It will be interesting to see how the Vikings do in a matchup that they should be favored heading into this game. This is the first meeting between these two teams.

Monroe Jefferson (at Royal Oak): This will be a rematch of a game that took place between these two teams in Monroe to which the Ravens beat the Bears 17-0 in week nine last season which sent Royal Oak into the playoffs for the first time since 2006. Monroe Jefferson will have to come north to Royal Oak and face a Ravens team either that will be well rested or could be battling yet again for a playoff spot. Royal Oak has to replace a ton of guys from last seasons team that made the playoffs for the first time since 2006. It will be an interesting matchup, I wonder if the Bears will come up north ready to play that's going to be the question.

Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard (at Pontiac): The Phoenix are going to have their hands full in the final game of the regular season at Wisner Stadium with a very good Pioneers team. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard was a playoff team last season (went 9-2) and plays in the tough Catholic League. Pontiac’s lack of depth will be tested in this tough matchup that is for sure. This will be the first meeting between the two teams.

Here is my podcast.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NB0pw6zxprg

Bloomfield Hills has their new Volleyball Coach.

Written Thursday July 19th at 10:50 PM

The Bloomfield Hills Blackhawks have their new volleyball coach and it's a familiar face in Oakland County.

The Blackhawks named Larry Wyatt the new coach replacing Bob Hurdle whom was their first head coach as a merged school. Bloomfield Hills merged schools between Andover and Lahser back in 2013.

Wyatt comes to Bloomfield Hills from Royal Oak Shrine. Royal Oak Shrine wasn't the greatest of volleyball powers but he does inherent a team that has a ton of experience and talent.

The Blackhawks have Alexa Rousseau, Brooke Bosart, Alvia Slazinski, Lily Formanek, Maggie Walters, Kaitlyn Roman, Noelle Siewek, and Annie Hoag. Rousseau is the team's top player coming back.

Bloomfield Hills also plays in one of the toughest divisions in the State in the Red with powerhouse teams like Clarkston, Lake Orion, Oxford, Stoney Creek, Troy, Seaholm, and Adams. They will also have to deal with Troy once district play starts but what will help is they will have home court.

Thoughts.

This looks like a desperate hire to me, I'm curious how Wyatt will do with this team and if the players can buy into his system. If not there could be some trouble.

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

Here is the Soundcloud about the story.
https://soundcloud.com/user-539915961/oaa-now-07-24-18

Groves has their new Boys Basketball Coach.

Written Wednesday July 11th at 10:00 PM

The Falcons and Athletic Director Tom Flynn have made a big time splash in the Boys Basketball coaching ranks.

Groves named Benny White as the team's next head coach replacing Mark West. West took an assistant coaching job at Detroit Henry Ford Community College in the spring after the season.

White has been around the basketball ranks a long time.

White has coached in both high school and college. He coached at Detroit Martin Luther King from 1995-2010 posting a 201-89 record with the Crusaders. White was named to the Detroit Public Schools Coaches Hall Of Fame in 2007 and would become the Michigan Regional Coach of the Year in 2010.

White whom graduated from Detroit Northern in 1972 is well known for his college ranks. He played at Michigan State under coach Jud Heathcote from 1973-1976. White became involved in coaching when he became a graduate assistant in 1977. He would leave Michigan State and become a part time assistant at Wayne State in 1978. The following year he became a graduate assistant at Detroit Mercy in 1979.

White became an assistant at Albion from 1986-1989 and would become an assistant at San Jose State in 1989 and served two seasons. White would then return to Detroit Mercy under coach Perry Watson as an assistant from 1993-1995 before taking the Detroit Martin Luther King coaching job in 1995.

In 2011, White was an assistant at Eastern Michigan and served in that capacity until 2017. He was also a scout for the Detroit Pistons from 2006-2009 and was the director of various youth camps ran by legendary NBA players.

Thoughts.

This is clearly a win now move and would certainly please the Groves community. White brings a ton of experience and is a proven winner around the basketball world. Groves went 9-11 and lost to Farmington in the district finals. The Falcons have Daniel Lee returning along with a freshman group that went 10-4 in the league last season.

Groves will play in the White this season which will have Adams, Stoney Creek, Rochester, Farmington, Troy Athens, Southfield Arts and Tech and Avondale. The Falcons will be in a district in which they will host with Seaholm, Birmingham Brother Rice, Royal Oak, and Berkley.

The question for Groves will be is will White be there long term??? that will be the question.

It will be interesting to see what happens with the Falcons this season with White at the helm.

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

Here is the Soundcloud that has the story.
https://soundcloud.com/user-539915961/oaa-now-07-24-18

Avondale has their new Girls Basketball Coach.

Written Tuesday July 10th at 10:10 PM

The Avondale Yellow Jackets have their new Girls Basketball Coach.

The Yellow Jackets have named Bob Lees as the team's next head coach replacing Phil Dawson whom resigned in the spring.

Lees comes over from Troy after being an assistant coach for the Colts boys basketball team under legendary coach Gary Fralick. Lees will transition over from boys basketball to girls basketball.

Lees will bring a scrappy like type of play which is very similar to Fralick's system. He will have some talent to work with when he gets to Avondale. Lees will have Olivia Russell, Keiori Lee, and Keziah Buggs to work with for the Yellow Jackets.

Avondale went 16-3 under Dawson and shared the Blue with Farmington last season. This season the Yellow Jackets went up to the White and will compete with the likes of Oxford, Adams, Lake Orion, West Bloomfield, Troy, Troy Athens, and Farmington. Avondale will be in a district with Waterford Mott, West Bloomfield, Bloomfield Hills, and North Farmington at West Bloomfield.

Thoughts.

This is an interesting hire for Avondale. Lees is a good basketball coach but as mentioned going from the boys game to the girls game will have it's challenges.

The transitioning from the boys to the girls game is not always the easiest, your going to have to experience some growing pains. Mike Griffin whom coaches at Lake Orion is a perfect example coming from the boys game to the girls game can have it's ups and downs. Lees will have to go through that same learning curve that Griffin went through last season.

Lees will also have to get on the same page with his players and his players the same way with their new coach.

We shall see what happens.

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

Here is the Soundcloud that includes this story.
https://soundcloud.com/user-539915961/oaa-now-07-24-18

Is Spring Football a Good Idea???

Written Monday June 25th at 2:40 PM

There has been a debate going on for years, some states do it, some don't. Should the State of Michigan have spring football???

According to Detroit Free Press sports writer Perry Farrell some high school coaches are considering it.

Farrell talked to former Flint Powers Catholic and Notre Dame defensive back Todd Lyght. He was all in on the idea of spring football in Michigan “I definitely think there should be spring ball in Michigan. Anytime you get an opportunity to develop your team and your student-athlete then take advantage of it. Every State is a little bit different as far as how they approach spring ball. I know the Midwest with the rules the way they are. I think it’s a disadvantage for student-athletes and they fall behind the kids in the south and in the west in development. There are more seven on seven camps, seven on seven tournaments, things like that. So in the Midwest due to the weather and the way the rules are set up the development is stunted with the system. It’s better for team camaraderie also.”

College and some High School coaches like the idea of having spring football because it allows colleges to evaluate players and teach the fundamentals of the game.

Nate Hamilton whom is the assistant director of the MHSAA is against the idea of having spring football because of safety concerns. Hamilton said to Farrell addressing his concerns. “Going back to the days when I coached (in Detroit), we would’ve thought that it would be a fantastic idea. We live in different times now and I really worry about the contact aspect of additional contact outside the season involving football.”

High school coaches have said that having six or eight practices will help and that it wouldn’t affect student-athletes playing other sports.

Other coaches have said that it is time for the MHSAA to adapt to today's climate. "I have always said the MHSAA needs to adapt (currently allows ten days of camp and seven days of seven on seven with helmets only.) They need to consider allowing four practices in June (two with helmets and two with shoulder pads.) Also allow a three day camp end of July before the dead week and cut it to four or five seven on sevens" said Lake Orion football coach John Blackstock.

According to Farrell, there was a camp that took place in May which 18 schools took advantage of where 100 college coaches came to Michigan to watch a physical education class during school hours. The pros of having that camp and the others is that there is opportunities for players got Division One scholarship offers and the exposure it offers.

But there is a down side to this.

Weather here in Michigan is a big concern, it can be brutal at times. Also student-athletes play other sports as well besides football. There is baseball, lacrosse, golf, tennis, and track that are in the spring. There are athletes sure that are football only kids but there are others that are multi-sport athletes as well and Academics are important as well. "I wouldn't want to take away from the other spring sports that go on in the spring" said new Stoney Creek football and throws coach Nick Merlo.

Oak Park football coach and Athletic Director Greg Carter talked to Farrell about addressing his concerns. "Down south they have the advantage because they can get started with baseball and track as early as February. If we are allowed to continue to have just one day that kids could compete and show their athletic ability to college coaches in the spring, that's fine with me. We're trying to get our students college scholarships so they have the opportunity to further their education"

Thoughts.

I don’t like the idea of spring football for a couple of reasons. I think it’s too much on the student-athletes especially those who do spring sports. It’s also safety issue for me in case someone gets hurt and it’s a drag on trainers and everyone involved. Also there are schools who don’t have the space or the resources to have spring football. There are coaches that aren’t in the building or that there is not enough student-athletes to have spring football. Student-athletes will always find ways to get their name out (ala The D-Zone, or this blog, or my podcast) and the colleges will come.

I think it’s too much if we have spring football in Michigan. Will having spring football give more opportunities and exposure, sure but at the end of the day football doesn’t always have to be king. For some student-athletes, football is not their main sport and baseball, tennis, golf, lacrosse, and track is. There are also scholarships that can be had as well in those sports.

At the end of the day it's a debate and no one is really wrong about this topic.

Here is Perry Farrell’s article.

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/high-school/2018/06/25/michigan-high-school-spring-football/727255002/