Written Sunday April 17th at 12:00 PM
Happy Easter to everyone. We are in the middle of spring sports but football is getting closer and closer. These are NOT the official rankings, that comes during the preview show in August. Here is the way too early top ten football rankings and storylines to watch.
1. Adams- The Highlanders are fresh off making the Division One State Finals last season. They are loaded with experience in the skill positions. Depth on the lines should be something to watch this summer. Program strength is a concern. If Coach Tony Patritto can address this issue then the Highlanders should be back in the conversation again.
2. West Bloomfield- The Lakers are loaded with talent at each position on the field. They should be motivated after falling to Adams in the regional finals last season. Discipline will be the question for Coach Tyrice Grice this summer. If West Bloomfield can address their discipline issues then they could be right back in the thick of things.
3. Clarkston- The Wolves made some changes this offseason. They have a new coach in Justin Pintar. Pintar takes over for Coach Kurt Richardson whom retired this offseason. I expect the transition to be very smooth. Clarkston has a lot of proven talent coming back. They have an interesting quarterback competition but according to Pintar it's likely that Mike Hein is the guy under center. The Wolves should be in the mix this season.
4. Southfield Arts and Tech- The Warriors have had some really tough times lately. They are in a new division which should help. Southfield Arts and Tech is loaded with proven skill players. They have some questions at running back and also on both lines. Program strength is a concern for Coach Aaron Marshall. If Marshall can address program strength then the Warriors could be back in the postseason sooner than later.
5. Lake Orion- The Dragons made some changes this offseason. They have a new coach in Chris Bell whom is also the athletic director. Lake Orion is loaded with proven young experience but the summer is key to see where the Dragons go. The quarterback position will be the key area to watch for Bell. The return
to old school should help things for Lake Orion.
6. Harper Woods- The Pioneers could have things very challenging in their first year in the OAA. They have a really tough schedule which should be nothing new. Harper Woods has a ton of proven linemen on both sides of the football along with a talented wide receiving and defensive secondary core. Coach Rob Oden needs to address the quarterback and running back positions this summer. If they can address both of these areas then they should do well in their first year in the OAA.
7. Oxford- It has been a really rough offseason for the Wildcats. Oxford lost a lot of talent from last season's team that upset Clarkston and made the district finals. They have a very tough schedule looming. Coach Zach Line could have a quarterback competition also looming. Their freshman program won eight games last season and the majority of them could be on varsity this season. It's going to be very interesting to watch how the Wildcats have this summer.
8. Berkley- The Bears have been getting better each of the last two years. Coach Sean Shields has done a wonderful job in building the foundation of the program. Berkley has to replace a ton of experience from last season. They will have a new quarterback in likely will be Sunny Kadlitz. The Bears have to find that deep threat and also address the secondary this summer. Program strength is a concern for Shields. If Berkley keeps doing great things, they should be a postseason player year in and year out.
9. Bloomfield Hills- The Blackhawks had a great year by winning the Blue and going undefeated but they were blown out by Novi Detroit Catholic Central in the first round. Bloomfield Hills needed to go up a division and play a tougher schedule and they are this season. They are loaded at the skill positions but have a ton of questions up front. Coach Dan Loria should be solid but they need to prove that last season wasn't a fluke.
10. Seaholm- It was a rough year for the Maples last season. Seaholm has a lot of talent coming back and is in a division that is very competitive. The Maples need to address their ground attack and both their lines then Coach Jim DeWald will have Seaholm back in the thick of things.
