Week One Thoughts.

Written Saturday August 26th at 9:15 AM

Updated Saturday August 26th at 4:00 PM 

West Bloomfield: The Lakers were battle tested that is for sure. West Bloomfield survived with a 22-21 victory over Chippewa Valley on Thursday night. Elijah Durham had a big night catching two Requan Nance touchdowns and Nigel Dunton caught an 18 yard touchdown pass. Brandon Davis-Swain scored the winning two point conversion on a strong run play. Nance had 241 passing yards and 51 rushing yards. The Lakers find ways to win games. This was a great win for them heading into Groves next week.

Lake Orion: The Dragons scored five touchdowns of their seven drives in a 54-33 victory over Livonia Stevenson on Thursday afternoon. Billy Roberson had 119 yards and four touchdowns on 17 carries while Raymond Payne caught a 28 yard touchdown pass and Jackie Vasquez had an impressive performance as did Triston Hill who added a 58 yard rushing touchdown. The defense is a huge concern, allowing 33 points with 20 points with the first string is very concerning and especially the pass defense. Lake Orion needs to address the defense and quick, the offense despite the penalties look to be in crisp right now. The Dragons have Harper Woods looming next week.

Clarkston: The Wolves really struggled falling 24-10 to the Mustangs on Friday night. Clarkston had 165 total yards against Northville. The Wolves did lose to Davison last season and Adams when they won their first State title in 2013. Desman Stevens had a 45 yard punt return for a score and Eddie Langton had a 38 yard field goal was the scoring on the night for Clarkston. Brady Collins started at quarterback for the Wolves. Collins went 11 of 27 for 80 yards with 41 rushing yards. The defense gave up a ton of chunk yard plays against the Mustangs. The offense could be a big problem this season. They have Southfield Arts and Tech looming next week.

Adams: The Highlanders defense got seven turnovers against Orchard Lake St. Marys on Friday night winning 22-8 on the red turf. Adams got a pick six from Matteo Humbert from 42 yards and a 50 yard interception return for a score an interception from Rico Hart along with an interception from Carter Farris. The Highlanders turned the ball over as well which would make Coach Tony Patritto nuts. Ryan O’Waters won the starting job and passed a touchdown to Brady Prieskorn. The Adams defense played really well as mentioned. They have Rochester next week.

Oxford: The Wildcats have done very well defensively but mistakes doomed Oxford in their 20-6 loss to Utica Eisenhower. Wildcats quarterback Jack Hendrix threw a pick six in the second quarter which stated the Eagles scoring. Preston Crum returned after missing the first quarter with a knee injury for Utica Eisenhower. Oxford trailed 13-0 at the half but came back behind two Drew Kady field goals which made it 13-6 but Utica Eisenhower scored on a long touchdown sealing the game for the Eagles. The Wildcats have Oak Park looming next week.

Stoney Creek: The Cougars had a rough start against Harper Woods but they managed to get it to 28-14 however on Friday morning a controversial call really hurt Stoney Creek in their 34-21 loss to the Pioneers. The Cougars should be fine despite this tough loss. Stoney Creek has Bloomfield Hills looming next week.

Southfield Arts and Tech: The Warriors had a back and fourth battle with Detroit Cass Tech on Saturday afternoon. Isisah Marshall had three touchdown passes all to Tashi Braceful but they let quarterback Cory Sadler control the game. He had a big touchdown on a fourth and two from the read option giving the Technicians the lead but Marshall on a fourth down and five ran for a 16 yard touchdown for Southfield Arts and Tech and a defensive stop was the difference as the Warriors won 29-27 over Detroit Cass Tech. It is possible that these two teams could meet again in the postseason but for Southfield Arts and Tech this is a great start. Braceful had three receiving touchdowns while Marshall had three passing and one rushing score off the quarterback draw. They have Clarkston looming next week.

Harper Woods: The Pioneers opened the season with a monster win on Friday morning over Stoney Creek winning 34-21. Harper Woods scored early taking an 14-0 lead and never looked back. Colby Bailey had four touchdowns for Harper Woods. It’s a big win for the Pioneers who really struggled last season but they are off to a great start. Harper Woods has a big test looming with Lake Orion on their new field next week.

Groves: The Falcons defense clamped down against the Raiders at Ron Holland Field especially in the second half. They blocked a field goal for a touchdown to close the half and added a 58 yard touchdown run in a stunning 36-3 blowout of North Farmington on Friday night. Groves has West Bloomfield looming next week.

Farmington: The Falcons really had no issue with Detroit Henry Ford winning 52-6 on Friday night at Falcon Field. Cam Pettaway had three scores and over 100 yards rushing. Farmington will have a much bigger test waiting them when they play Muskegon Reefs-Puffer next week.

Bloomfield Hills: The Blackhawks found a playmaker in Jace Reed whom caught and ran a 99 yard kickoff return back for a score in their 27-14 loss to Seaholm on Thursday night. I thought Rocco Colosimo played all right in his first start despite throwing two interceptions. The defense really struggled at times. The Blackhawks have a really tough matchup with Stoney Creek looming next week.

Rochester: It was de javu all over again for the Falcons against Utica on Thursday night at Sweinhart Field. Rochester lost on a heartbreaker on the final play 27-26 last season and now they fell 22-21 after missing the extra point on their touchdown score. The Falcons have a tough one with Adams looming next week.

Seaholm: The Maples started the season strong with a 27-14 victory over Bloomfield Hills on Thursday night. Colton Kinnie had a great game. Kinnie had two rushing touchdowns and a passing touchdown to Jack Lewis who also caught an interception as well. Seaholm will be tested when they head to Hazel Park to play Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit next week.

North Farmington: The Raiders could be in some trouble after losing 36-3 to Groves on Friday night at Ron Holland Field. North Farmington started out strong with a field goal from Vinnie Lee but things quickly went south as the Falcons blocked a field goal and took it back for a touchdown making it a 16-3 game at the half and it was all Groves after that. The Raiders are a solid team. They have a tough one with Caledonia looming next week.

Oak Park: The Knights had a rough one with Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit falling 47-14 on Friday night. Oak Park was without Coach Greg Carter who was serving a one game suspension. Carter will be back on the sidelines. They have a tough one with Oxford looming next week.

Troy: The Colts opened their new field with a fourth down stop and a 21-0 victory over Macomb L’Anse Creuse North. Troy used a timely offensive attack from Parker Brandenburg and Nolan Block along with three touchdowns from Noah Oury but the defense was the story for the Colts. Troy has Detroit Mumford looming on their home field next week.

Troy Athens: The Red Hawks did not have six key players in their stunning 14-6 loss to Fraser on Thursday night on their home field. This loss puts Troy Athens in a brutal spot in a game that they needed to win. The Red Hawks have Berkley next week.

Ferndale: It was a rough night for Coach Eric Royal and the Eagles as they were stunned by Macomb L’Anse Creuse falling 31-12 on Thursday night on their new home field. The defense really struggled against the Lancers who were very young, allowing 31 points is not a good sign for a program that wants to make a return trip to the postseason. Cullen Hock also struggled turning the ball over five times, that’s not a good recipe. The Eagles have another tough game looming with Holly in northwest Oakland County next week.

Avondale: The Yellow Jackets got off to a good start but it got very uneasy with Avondale only leading 10-7 in the fourth quarter until pulling away late. Coach Bob Meyer got his first win as head coach of the Yellow Jackets with a 21-10 win over Warren Cousino. The Patriots did have some very questionable play calling at times in the game. The defense had their moments but they need to clean up the penalties. Avondale has a big one with Brandon looming next week.

Berkley: I was very disappointed with the Bears in their 42-0 blowout loss to Walled Lake Central at Hurley Field on Thursday night. Berkley really struggled on both sides of the football which could be a serious problem going forward. Coach Sean Shields needs to fix this and quick. They have Troy Athens looming next week in a big game for both teams.

Royal Oak: The Ravens had a good start to their game against Holly scoring a three yard rushing touchdown from Michael Hermon whom also picked off a pass as well but the Broncos behind their proven senior experience and the coaching of former Troy Athens and Berkley coach Billy Keenest and former Lake Orion defensive coordinator Dave Tooley scored 35 unanswered points winning 35-7 over Royal Oak. If the Ravens play like they did in the first half defensively then maybe Coach Collin Campbell may be on to something. Royal Oak has Taylor looming next week.

Pontiac: The Phoenix made a statement in Coach Wendell Jefferson’s debut as head coach. They snapped a 42 game losing streak in a stunning 52-22 win over Madison Heights Bishop Foley on Friday night. The 52 points was half of the points they scored last season in a stunning 52-22 win over Madison Heights Bishop Foley. The 52 points was also the most they scored since 2021 and they tied that mark scoring 52 points against Royal Oak in 2011. The most the program has scored was 66 against West Bloomfield in 2010. Kayne Donaldson had a big night for Pontiac scoring six touchdowns. The next lesson for the Phoenix is to sustain success which is something Jefferson will address his team, don't get to high and not too low. They have some confidence heading into their game with Detroit Lincoln King Academy next week.