Written Thursday August 18th at 5:45 PM
Updated Wednesday August 24th at 11:50 PM
Here is the division preview for the White. The preview show is now up.
Podcast with Coach Corless
https://soundcloud.com/user-539915961/oaa-08-08-22
Preview Show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMZF89P2pUI
DIVISION OUTLOOK: This division was well represented last season. Adams made it to the Division One State Finals but the Highlanders moved to the Red this season. It looks like to be a two team race on paper but there are several teams that have a chance to win this division. Harper Woods comes into the OAA after being an independent last season prior they were in the Michigan Metro Athletic Conference for a time. The Pioneers have a ton of proven skill players and proven linemen. Southfield Arts and Tech comes from the Red after really struggling during the second half of last season. The Warriors have a high scoring offense but the defense is very suspect. Rochester has their quarterback and several skill players coming back but there are some questions especially up front along with depth. Bloomfield Hills has a ton of proven experience from an unbeaten year last season coming back. Are the Blackhawks ready to take that next step??? Can Oak Park rebound after a really disappointing year last season??? Can Groves do the same as well??? This should be a really interesting division to watch this season.
DREAM SCHEDULE: Rochester. The Falcons schedule looks manageable compared to everyone else in the White. Sure they have Adams which they haven’t beaten since 1996. The non-conference slate looks very winnable with Utica, Stoney Creek, and Detroit Renaissance. The league schedule is rough with trips to Southfield Arts and Tech and Bloomfield Hills along with home games with Groves and Harper Woods. The schedule looks very manageable if they can get off to a very good start.
NIGHTMARE SCHEDULE: Oak Park. The Knights have always have played a tough schedule under Coach Greg Carter and this season is no different. They have Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit, Groves, Clarkston, and Rochester coming to Knight Valley. Oak Park has to go to Harper Woods, Southfield Arts and Tech, Orchard Lake St. Marys, Bloomfield Hills, and Lake Orion. It’s very tough to say the least.
TEAM THAT’S IN TROUBLE: Southfield Arts and Tech. The Warriors have a lot riding for them but there are some major concerns. The schedule is very brutal. It includes non-league games against Detroit Cass Tech, West Bloomfield, Clarkston, and River Rouge. The good news is two of those four are at home with one being at a neutral site. Their biggest league tests like Harper Woods and Bloomfield Hills are on the road. If there is a team that needs a fast start with the schedule given to them this is it.
TOP FIVE GAMES:
Southfield Arts and Tech at Harper Woods: This game could decide the White. Whichever team plays defense wins this game.
Southfield Arts and Tech at Bloomfield Hills: This could be a shootout. Both teams have stout offenses and suspect defenses. The Warriors have won the last two games by a combined 104-18 over the Blackhawks.
Adams at Rochester: The Falcons haven’t beaten the Highlanders since 1996. It’s really likely that the streak could continue another season.
Groves at Oak Park: This is a big game for both teams. If both teams want to make the postseason this is a must get game.
Rochester at Bloomfield Hills: Two very good quarterbacks are going at it in this game at Bloomfield Hills.
SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH WARRIORS
LAST SEASON RECORD: 2-7, 1-4 Red. Didn’t make Postseason
POINTS SCORED: 277 (30.7 ppg), 150 Red (30 ppg)
POINTS ALLOWED: 346 (38.4 ppg), 203 Red (40.6 ppg)
STRENGTHS: Quarterback, Proven Wide Receivers.
WEAKNESS: Defense, Depth.
OFFENSE: Run-Pass Option
DEFENSE: 4-3
GAME OF THE YEAR: August 27th vs Detroit Cass Tech at Lawrence Tech
PLAYER TO WATCH: Darrell Jones-Defensive Back/Wide Receiver/Kick Returner
PROJECTED RECORD: 4-5, 4-1 White
STORYLINE: Can the Warriors defense be up to par with their offense???
It has been a very challenging few years for the Warriors. Southfield Arts and Tech is 16-27 since 2017. They were 8-4 in their first season as a merged school between Southfield and Southfield-Lathrup. It was a tale of two seasons for Southfield Arts and Tech where they had things great early. The offense was very consistent but the defense was a complete disaster. The defense allowed 346 points which is the most in school history and 279 points (69 ppg) in their final four games last season. If Southfield Arts and Tech wants to do something this season they need to fix their defense.
OUTLOOK: The Warriors have 16 starters coming back along with a ton of proven firepower especially on the offensive side of the football for Coach Aaron Marshall. “It’s very exciting we have had a phenomenal offseason, last year because of the pandemic I was hired a little later than expected so we didn’t really get a lot of offseason work in so this season we got a lot of offseason work, we’ve really put in a lot of effort” said Marshall on WWJ News Radio 950 AM. Southfield Arts and Tech has a ton of proven juniors that are ready to make some noise. “These sophomores kind of got battle tested, beat up a little bit which is phenomenal and they have become juniors reaching to the upper classmen level. We have a chip on our shoulders, they are hungry. They know how hard they need to work. Again, I’m really excited they’re leaders, our seniors, this group is phenomenal. I’m excited to see what we have going on” Marshall added. The Warriors have Isiah Marshall coming back at quarterback. Marshall has proven pass catchers in Devin Buskin, Darrell Jones, Tashi Braceful, Xavier Bowman, and Parker Kennedy coming back at wide receiver. Bowman transferred from Birmingham Brother Rice this summer. The rushing attack will be a question mark despite having Marshall’s run ability. Marshall has Davier Burt coming back at running back which should ease the pressure off Marshall. The offensive and defensive lines has some proven experience but also some questions. Southfield Arts and Tech has Josiah Williams, Reggie Gardner, Aaron Bradley, Nathaniel Green, and Xavier Davis coming back on the offensive and defensive lines. The back end really struggled which resulted in a ton of high scoring games. If the Warriors want to get back to the postseason they really need the back end to step up. Southfield Arts and Tech has James Pagnos and Joshua Smith coming back at linebacker. Marshall has Javin Jones, Jawon Jarret, Wendell Smith, Jalen Todd, and Jayden Bush coming back in the defensive secondary. The Warriors need to find that balance especially on defense. They are not deep either which is a major concern for Marshall this season.
WHY 4-5: The schedule is very brutal. Southfield Arts and Tech has River Rouge, Rochester, and West Bloomfield coming to Southfield. They will have Detroit Cass Tech at Lawrence Tech which is not far from Southfield Arts and Tech. The Warriors have Clarkston, Groves, Harper Woods, and Bloomfield Hills on the road. They will certainly score points but can they stop someone is the question and the track record on the defensive side of the football is suspect. If Marshall can’t address the defense then this could be the record they see this season despite the high octane offense.
HARPER WOODS PIONEERS
LAST SEASON RECORD: 7-3. Lost 14-6 in OT to River Rouge in First Round
POINTS SCORED: 288 (28.8 ppg)
POINTS ALLOWED: 213 (21.3 ppg)
STRENGTHS: Defensive Secondary, Proven Linemen, Proven Wide Receivers.
WEAKNESS: Quarterback, Rushing Attack, Depth.
OFFENSE: Spread
DEFENSE: 4-4
GAME OF THE YEAR: September 2nd vs West Bloomfield
PLAYER TO WATCH: Jacob Oden-Defensive Back/Wide Receiver
PROJECTED RECORD: 7-2, 5-0 White
STORYLINE: How will the Pioneers do in the OAA???
The Pioneers should be in for a very interesting season. They enter the OAA after being an independent in the last two years and was in the Michigan Metro Athletic Conference prior to that. Harper Woods has made the postseason each of the last four years and is 22-16 in that span. The Pioneers lost a tough one to River Rouge in the first round of the postseason. Harper Woods faces a ton of challenges this season with being in a new league and the possibly being in Division Two for the postseason because of an enrollment rise. This should be no different for Coach Rob Oden and his program.
OUTLOOK: The Pioneers had a really good offense but the defense had some challenges. They have eight returning starters coming back. Harper Woods should be very strong in the defensive secondary. They also have the proven linemen coming back. Oden has some questions at quarterback and at running back after they both graduated last season. The Pioneers could go with Stephone Buford at quarterback and L’Quan Hartsfield at running back. Both Buford and Hartsfield played different positions last season. They also have Donald Adams who could play at running back. "We'll go running back by committee" said Pioneers defensive coordinator Cory Booker. Harper Woods has Jacob Oden, Anthony Sims, Nigel Patterson, Johnny Nelson, Tayshawn Johnson, Ramonity Houze, and Andre Myers coming back in the defensive secondary and could play wide receiver. They have Willy Powell, Cailin Scott, and Matthew McGraw at linebacker coming back. The Pioneers have Carmelo Hunter, Terrell Dinkins, Elron Beaman, Jessen Johnson, Bryant Weathers, and Trevon Mendahall coming back on the offensive and defensive lines. Oden has the proven talent but depth, quarterback, and running back are major concerns heading into this season.
WHY 7-2: Harper Woods has a really tough schedule but they have some advantages coming into the season. They are the only school in the OAA that plays on grass. The Pioneers have Southfield Arts and Tech, Oak Park, and Bloomfield Hills coming into Wayne County. They have Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy, West Bloomfield, Adams, Roseville, Groves, and Rochester on the road. "Coming to the White, playing a lot of schools our size it's going to be a different challenge" Booker mentioned. It’s a tough schedule but if things go right they should have no reason being a postseason team this season.
ROCHESTER FALCONS
LAST SEASON RECORD: 5-4, 4-1 White. Didn’t make Postseason
POINTS SCORED: 208 (23.1 ppg), 138 White (27.6 ppg)
POINTS ALLOWED: 213 (23.6 ppg), 133 White (26.6 ppg)
STRENGTHS: Quarterback, Rushing Attack, Linebackers, Proven Athleticism.
WEAKNESS: Proven Linemen, Depth.
OFFENSE: Spread
DEFENSE: 4-3
GAME OF THE YEAR: September 2nd vs Adams
PLAYER TO WATCH: Jaiden Bolden-Wide Receiver/Defensive Back
PROJECTED RECORD: 4-5, 2-3 White
STORYLINE: How complete is the Falcons???
The Falcons have been really good in the last two years where they’ve been 11-5. There are some storylines that surrounds Rochester. The Falcons have not fared well against their city rivals. They haven’t beaten Adams since 1996 (lost 23 straight games) and is 2-7 in their last nine games against Stoney Creek. Rochester has a ton to prove. They have done really well against the non-league but they need to beat the city rivals. "They are great programs, everyone had trouble with Adams. They have set the bar" said Coach Eric Vernon about Adams.
OUTLOOK: The Falcons could be a sleeper in the White this season. They have nine returning starters for Vernon. They were pretty balanced when it came to points scored and points against last season. Rochester has an proven experienced offense coming back. They have three year starting quarterback Alex Bueno coming back. Bueno had a strong year last season and is improving each day. "He's A+. He's started some games for us as a freshman. He has improved as a player. Alex has gotten stronger, multi sport athlete. He came to his own as a runner, a duel threat guy. Keep him healthy, he will be one of the top singal guy callers in the State" Vernon said. Bueno should have some solid pass catchers in wide receivers Jaiden Bolden and Jacob Vancoille coming back. They have Grant Calcagno coming back at running back. The offensive and defensive lines look to be solid. They have Josh Harmon, Richard Hamilton, Isaac Putrus, Khamani Potts, Royce Winters, and Casey Burke coming back on the offensive and defensive lines. "We're not huge size wise but we have some very physical players" Vernon mentioned. The back end could be tested. Vernon has two wide receivers in Bolden and Vancoille coming back in the defensive secondary. They have Bodie Therkildsen and Noah Purtus coming back at linebacker. The Falcons have the talent but depth is a concern for them. "We got the pieces, we have the skill players and hopefully that makes up for things up front at least at the start of the year but we'll see" Vernon added.
WHY 4-5: The schedule looks very manageable for the Falcons. Now they have their city rivals Adams and Stoney Creek which will be very tough games. Rochester has Utica, Adams, Harper Woods, and Groves at home. They have Detroit Renaissance, Stoney Creek, Southfield Arts and Tech, Oak Park, and Bloomfield Hills on the road. They can overachieve that is for sure but the schedule is tricky but manageable to say the least.
BLOOMFIELD HILLS BLACKHAWKS
LAST SEASON RECORD: 9-1, 8-0 Blue. Lost 51-7 to Novi Detroit Catholic Central in First Round
POINTS SCORED: 309 (30.9 ppg), 260 Blue (32.5 ppg)
POINTS ALLOWED: 145 (14.5 ppg), 73 Blue (9.1 ppg)
STRENGTHS: Quarterback, Proven Wide Receivers.
WEAKNESS: Both Lines, Defense, Depth.
OFFENSE: Spread
DEFENSE: 4-4
GAME OF THE YEAR: September 30th vs Southfield Arts and Tech
PLAYER TO WATCH: CJ Jackson-Quarterback
PROJECTED RECORD: 3-6, 3-2 White
STORYLINE: Are the Blackhawks ready for the next step???
The Blackhawks made history by going unbeaten but critics have said that the schedule didn’t prepare them which resulted in their first round postseason loss to proven powerhouse Novi Detroit Catholic Central last season. There is a reason why that Bloomfield Hills moved to the White but are they ready for the next step???OUTLOOK: The Blackhawks could be a possible sleeper in the White. They went unbeaten last season but the schedule really toughens up this season. "I think last season with the kids returning raised the confidence level in ourselves. I believe this has prepared us for the White" said Coach Dan Loria. There is a great mystery surrounding Bloomfield Hills this season. Loria should have a very balanced offense this season. They have eight returning starters including CJ Jackson coming back at quarterback. He had a monster year when Bloomfield Hills had their unbeaten season. Jackson is a hard player for opponents to prepare for with his throwing and running ability. He should have proven pass catchers in tight end Ahmad Taylor along with Aaron Zekman, Jonah Zekman, Gavin Cote, Kieran Crossley, and Alex Aaron coming back at wide receiver. The Blackhawks ground attack should help create that balance. They have Sean Jasper and Evan Becker coming back at running back. The offensive and defensive lines are question marks. They have David Hollands coming back up front. The back end should be tested. Bloomfield Hills has Jasper, Taylor, and Becker coming back at linebacker. Zekman, Cote, Jake Freisen, and Aaron coming back in the defensive secondary. "These kids are very competitive week in and week out" Loria mentioned. Depth is a big concern for the Blackhawks this season.
WHY 3-6: The competition should be much tougher for the Blackhawks than it was last season. "If your not ready week in and out your going to get it handed to you" Loria concluded. They start the season with Seaholm at home followed by Stoney Creek and Groves. Bloomfield Hills has Harper Woods and North Farmington also on the road. They have Southfield Arts and Tech, Rochester, Oak Park, and Oxford coming to Bloomfield Hills. The schedule is very challenging but if the Blackhawks can get five wins, postseason could be in the realm of possibility.
GROVES FALCONS
LAST SEASON RECORD: 2-7, 2-3 White. Didn’t make Postseason
POINTS SCORED: 118 (13.1 ppg), 72 White (14.4 ppg)
POINTS ALLOWED: 263 (29.2 ppg), 133 White (26.6 ppg)
STRENGTHS: Quarterback, Passing Attack, Proven Linemen.
WEAKNESS: Rushing Attack, Linebackers, Defensive Secondary, Depth.
OFFENSE: Spread
DEFENSE: Multiple
GAME OF THE YEAR: September 2nd at Oxford
PLAYER TO WATCH: Cayden Hardy-Quarterback
PROJECTED RECORD: 1-8, 1-4 White
STORYLINE: Is Cayden Hardy the answer at Quarterback???
It has been a really rough for the Falcons ever since making the Division Two State Semifinals in 2019. Groves is 5-13 in the last two years. "Bad play is bad coaching" said Flaherty on the last two years. They missed the postseason for the first time in eight years last season which is very unusual for Coach Brendan Flaherty. There is some optimism around Beverly Hills. "The big thing for us is to get more experience, shoring those things up" Flaherty mentioned. According to outside sources, the Falcons could be ready to turn things around.
OUTLOOK: The Falcons are a very interesting team. They have 12 returning starters coming back. "We kept the guys together getting back to the thick of things and growing as coaches" said Flaherty. Groves has Caden Hardy coming back at quarterback. Hardy had moments of greatness before getting injured last season and is expected to do more this season. He will have Zach Rogers as his top wide receiver coming back. They also have other proven pass catchers in tight end Jack Wainer along with Alex Aaron, Owen Higley, and Anthony Cameron coming back at wide receiver. The rushing attack is going to be a question mark. They have Elias Kendra coming back. The offensive and defensive lines should have more experience this season. They have Jovanni Webster, Mogan Goldberg, Isaiah Tomazin, Alex Kolliner, Malachi Coleman, Aidan Wang, and Avery Gach coming back on the offensive and defensive lines. The back end should be tested. Groves has Jalen Brooks and Rogers in the defensive secondary. They have Ivan Beleu, Jackson Crane, Max Young, and Josh Woods coming back at linebacker. There is optimism but there are also danger signs when it comes to program strength.
WHY 1-8: The schedule is very brutal to say the least. Groves has North Farmington, Oxford, Oak Park, and Rochester on the road and Harper Woods, Southfield Arts and Tech, Berkley, Bloomfield Hills, and Seaholm coming to Beverly Hills. All of those teams they play at home have high powered offenses while North Farmington, Rochester, Oak Park, and Oxford are tough minded programs. It could be another long year for Flaherty this season.
OAK PARK KNIGHTS
LAST SEASON RECORD: 3-6, 2-3 White. Didn’t make Postseason
POINTS SCORED: 190 (21.1 ppg), 92 White (18.4 ppg)
POINTS ALLOWED: 214 (23.7 ppg), 85 White (17 ppg)
STRENGTHS: Rushing Attack, Defensive Secondary, Proven Linemen
WEAKNESS: Quarterback, Wide Receivers, Depth.
OFFENSE: Pistol
DEFENSE: Multiple
GAME OF THE YEAR: September 9th vs Groves
PLAYER TO WATCH: Darnell Boone-Running back
PROJECTED RECORD: 1-8, 0-5 White
STORYLINE: Can the Knights compete at a high level???
The Knights missed the playoffs for the first time in nine years last season. Both sides of the football had their fair share of struggles which was very unusual. Oak Park does have some talent coming back which helps but can they compete at a high level which should be the question for Coach Greg Carter.
OUTLOOK: The Knights had a really rough year which was very unusual last season. Oak Park has to address some things on offense after taking a step back last season. They have nine returning starters. The Knights will have a new quarterback under center. It very likely could be Marquese Campbell that could be the starter coming back at quarterback. "The quarterback doesn't have the experience. We haven't a two year quarterback since Dwan (Mathis.) Every year has been a different quarterback so hopefully he can get off to a good start to build some confidence and go from there" said Carter. They have Alreno O’Neil coming back at running back. Oak Park has proven pass catchers in James Blaylock, Austin Smith coming back at wide receiver. It is very possible they could have some wide receivers play in the defensive secondary. The offensive and defensive lines should be solid. They have Dirk Scott, Glenn Stevenson, Karod Hill, and Amari Washington coming back. The back end should be tested this season. Oak Park has Darnell Boone coming back at linebacker and he could see some time at running back. "He's been doing well, he's been playing strong safety, running back. He's been doing really well in school" Carter mentioned. The defensive secondary should be solid. The Knights have Candice Fityoumouth, Stephen Gullet, A’Jaylen King, Campbell, and Smith coming back. Depth is a major concern for the Carter. The team has been doing well as a positive. "The team has had a great summer, been doing very well" Carter mentioned. If the Knights can overcome their depth troubles then a return to the postseason looks possible.
WHY 1-8: The Knights play a brutal schedule and it’s no different this season. Oak Park has Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit, Rochester, Groves, and Clarkston coming to Knight Valley. They have Lake Orion, Southfield Arts and Tech, Harper Woods, Orchard Lake St. Marys, and Bloomfield Hills on the road. "I love it, to be the man, you have to beat the man. If you don't then you don't deserve to be in the playoffs" Carter mentioned. It’s a really tough stretch for Carter’s program. The Knights could be a sleeper in the White if things go right.
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