Written Friday November 12th at 11:35 PM
Updated Saturday November 20th at 8:35 PM
2003 was the year that the Highlanders won the Division Two State Championship at the Pontiac Silverdome.
The roster was bigger, they played in the OAA Division One but because of their enrollment they played in the Division Two State Championship.
2003 was the first year that Tony Patritto came to Adams and changed everything.
Patritto introduced the veer offense not just to the OAA but to the entire state as well. Teams have had very rough times defending this offense.
The veer is an illusion offense whether you’re running the full veer, the dive option, midline, or outside veer.
It’s very hard to stop.
The veer counters so many disadvantages including those who are deeper and more talented.
Every team the Highlanders have played past and present have learned this the hard way.
While there are differences, there are similarities to 2003.
Adams had a very strong defense in 2003. They have a strong defense this year.
They had a very good quarterback in 2003 in Alan Guy. They have one in Parker Picot.
Back in 2003 they also had a very good line on both sides of the football. They have that again this year.
The Highlanders have always played with heart whether it was good years or bad years. They have not changed who they are.
The competition has changed that’s the big difference. Adams in 2003 played the likes of Lake Orion, Clarkston, Farmington Hills Harrison, and Birmingham Brother Rice and was very successful against these powerhouse programs mostly using the veer offense.
This year their competition has dropped a little bit. Adams was in the White which could be seen as Division Two but they have wins against several Red teams including beating Oxford and West Bloomfield twice.
The Highlanders have also have had success against their two city rivals in Rochester and Stoney Creek. Adams has beaten Rochester 27 straight times since 1996. They also avenged last year’s loss to Stoney Creek earlier in the season.
Adams is back in the State Finals for the first time since 2003 after beating Grand Blanc 40-20 on Saturday afternoon in the Division One State Semifinals at Howell. They were in Division Two the last time they went to the State Finals. This will be the first time that they will be in the Division One State Final.
Patritto has never taken this program to Ford Field until now.
They have a chance to be the second school in State history to win a State title in both Division One and Division Two. Chippewa Valley was the other school that done it.
The Highlanders will have a test on Saturday afternoon when they take on Belleville.
This is the Tigers first trip to the Division One State Finals ever but their coach Jermaine Crowell has been here before as an assistant multiple times at Detroit Cass Tech. They are deeper than Adams and feature a very talented freshman quarterback in Bryce Underwood along with a talented group of playmakers on both sides of the football.
However they haven't seen a team that runs the veer and the way the Highlanders run it.
The veer counteracts a lot of things even depth and proven athleticism, just ask West Bloomfield who Adams beat twice.
There are a lot of similarities to 2003 as mentioned.
Adams is continuing that tradition.
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