Boys Soccer State Semifinal Preview.

Written Tuesday October 31st at 7:30 PM

TROY ATHENS vs Northville: The Mustangs have had a strong season thus far but they will be heading north to Troy to take on the Red Hawks in a home game for Troy Athens on Wednesday night. Troy Athens is coming off a 3-1 win over Utica Ford II in the regional final and has wins over Berkley, Troy, and Adams. Northville is coming off a 3-1 win over Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit in the regional final and has beaten Saline as well. This should be a very interesting matchup to watch that is for sure. Whoever wins will take on either Rockford or Brighton on Saturday in the Division One State Finals at Grand Ledge.

Week Ten Thoughts.

Written Saturday October 28th at 10:05 AM

Harper Woods: The Pioneers needed a strong fourth quarter to beat Croswell-Lexington 20-13 on Friday night. Harper Woods trailed 13-6 after three quarters but the offense came alive with Stephone Buford scoring three total touchdowns (two air, one rush) including a winning 20 yard pass to Ramonty House. The Pioneers held Croswell-Lexington to zero second half points. Harper Woods has Marysville looming next week.

Avondale: The Yellow Jackets had a hard fought game with Holly on Friday night winning 34-24 at Dick Bye Field. Tyler Herzog was solid for Avondale and the ground game was also solid. They have a big one looming with Walled Lake Western next week.

Seaholm: The Maples have beaten Groves two straight weeks winning a Big Twelve shootout 56-49 on Friday night. Seaholm built a 35-7 halftime lead only to see Groves try and attempt to comeback but the Maples held on just enough to win. Colton Kinnie was dominant on the air and in the ground throwing to Louie Sullivan and Jack Lewis also found the end zone as well. Kinnie was responsible for five touchdowns in the game. Seaholm will have Waterford Mott or Livonia Franklin at home next week.

Groves: The Falcons saw Seaholm ruin their season in the last two weeks. The Maples won 56-49 in a wild shootout. Cayden Hardy did everything he could but the first half did not help Groves as they allowed 35 points. They won the second half 42-14 but it wasn’t enough. The Falcons lose Hardy to graduation but have the majority of their team coming back next season.

Southfield Arts and Tech: The Warriors had no problem with Dearborn Fordson winning 38-14 on Friday night. Isiah Marshall was solid for Southfield Arts and Tech. The Warriors defense played well limiting Dearborn Fordson all night. They have a big one looming with Detroit Cass Tech next week.

Adams: It was a rough night for the Highlanders on Friday night in the Swamp as they fell 42-14 to West Bloomfield. Adams had a rough night on both sides of the football. Rino Watters was picked off twice and was injured. Brady Prieskorn also got hurt in the game as well. It’s a rough way to go out for the Highlanders but Coach Patritto has an experienced group led by Watters coming back next season.

West Bloomfield: The Lakers showed their dominance in a shocking 42-14 blowout of Adams on Friday night at the Swamp. West Bloomfield had three interceptions and the offense had their moments of greatness. The Lakers have a big test looming when they head to Sweinhart to play Utica Eisenhower next week.

Clarkston: The Wolves stars showed out in a big way on Friday night with Clarkston winning 33-10 over Romeo and snapping a three game losing streak in the process.  The Wolves defense really stood out against a team that had equally played a brutal schedule. Desman Stephens had a 55 yard reverse touchdown, Brady Collins had his best game at quarterback on varsity of the season. He added a 14 yard passing touchdown and the Bowman twins combined for three rushing touchdowns. Clarkston has Lake Orion looming next week.

Oxford: The Wildcats were overwhelmed on Friday night by a potent Lake Orion offense falling 58-26. Oxford gave up 44 points in the first half which was shocking. Luke Johnson added a rushing touchdown. Jack Hendrix was solid throwing an early score to Jay Cady. The Wildcats were very young this season and have been through a lot. They will be back for sure next season.

Lake Orion: The Dragons offense was dominant on Friday night against their arch rivals from Oxford in a 58-26 win over the Wildcats. TR Hill was dominant in both passing and running the football. Billy Roberson had a solid night as well. Lake Orion put 44 points in the first half. The defense has been a concern in the last two weeks allowing 54 points. They have a big one looming with Clarkston next week.

Week Ten Recap.

Written Saturday October 28th at 9:30 AM

HARPER WOODS 20, Croswell-Lexington 13: The Pioneers showed their resolve on Friday night in a tough and physical game winning 20-13 at Harper Woods. The Pioneers scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter which ended up being the difference. Stephone Buford had three touchdowns, two from the air and one from the ground winning 20 yard passing score to Ramondy House. Harper Woods did lose Dakota Gurrant to an injury in the game, it is unknown if he will play next week. Croswell-Lexington gave everything Harper Woods can handle but playing the tough schedule the Pioneers have in the OAA came through for them. The Pioneers defense clamped down in the second half against a very stout Croswell-Lexington offense shutting them out in the second half. Harper Woods will host Marysville next week.

AVONDALE 34, Holly 24: It was a tight game at Dick Bye Field on Friday night between two teams that know each other quite well. The Yellow Jackets won 34-24 in a physical game of two teams that love to run the football. It was Avondale's first postseason win since 2012 when they were coached by Steve Deutch. Tyler Herzog had a huge game for Avondale against a very good Bronchos defense. The Yellow Jackets have a big one looming when they head to Walled Lake to play Walled Lake Western next week.

SEAHOLM 56, GROVES 49: This was a rivalry game that turned into a classic Big Twelve shootout when usually that is a defensive coordinator’s worst nightmare. The Maples beat the Falcons for the second straight week 56-49 in Beverly Hills. Seaholm had a 35-7 lead at one point but Groves fought back and made it a game. Colton Kinnie played well for the Maples. He had 22 carries for 121 yards and four touchdowns along with 52 yards passing and two scores both were to Louie Sullivan. Cayden Hardy was solid in his final game for Groves but the Falcons defense really struggled in both matchups against the veer and the proven experience of Seaholm. Groves has a ton of talent coming back next season. The Maples will either host Livonia Franklin or Waterford Mott next week.

SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH 38, Dearborn Fordson 14: The Warriors had no issue with Dearborn Fordson winning 38-14 on Friday night. Isiah Marshall had a solid game for Southfield Arts and Tech and the defense kept the Tractors in check all night. The Warriors have a big one looming with Detroit Cass Tech coming to Southfield next week.

WEST BLOOMFIELD 42, ADAMS 14: The Lakers had a great night especially defensively in a 42-14 win over Adams on Friday night in the Swamp. West Bloomfield had four turnovers including a pick six for a touchdown. Brandon Davis-Swain added two touchdowns, Rick Nance was solid, and Kam Flowers had a long rushing touchdown. What didn’t help things for the Highlanders is that they lost quarterback Rino Watters to an AC joint injury and Brady Prieskorn to a knee injury. Adams has a ton of proven talent coming back next season led by Watters. The Lakers will head to Sweinhart to play Utica Eisenhower next week.

CLARKSTON 33, Romeo 10: The Wolves probably played their best game of the season on Friday night by beating Romeo 33-10 at the Wolves Den. Desman Stephens had a monster night for Clarkston including a 55 yard reverse touchdown. Brady Collins played his best game of the season for the Wolves running and passing the football. He had a 14 yard rushing score and the Bowman twins Lukas (eight and one) and Griffin (10) combined for three rushing scores. The Clarkston defense was stout all night shutting down Romeo and their offense. The Wolves will play Lake Orion on the road next week. Clarkston fell 42-21 to Lake Orion in week seven. It should be a very interesting and fun atmosphere.

LAKE ORION 58, OXFORD 26: The Dragons offense exploded on Friday night against arch rival Oxford winning 58-26. Tristian Hill was a beast in the air and especially on the ground scoring three long rushing scores and a passing score to Raymond Payne. Billy Roberson had a solid game scoring twice. Luke Johnson added a touchdown run and Jack Hendrix connected on a play action score to Jay Cady on the night. Oxford has a ton of talent coming back next season. Lake Orion will host Clarkston next week in a rematch where the Dragons won 42-21 in week seven.