Football Top Ten Rankings.

Written Friday August 16th at 2:45 PM

 

These are the Around The OAA Top Ten Rankings to start the season. These are be released weekly to start the season.

 

1. Harper Woods: The Pioneers won the Division Four State crown last season and they are loaded again heading into this season. Harper Woods has a lot of experience back led by quarterback Nate Rocheleau, running back Cobly Bailey, wide receivers DeAndre Bidden and Dakota Gurreant and a proven offensive line among others. The defense is loaded especially up front and the linebackers, among others. The defensive secondary is a bit of a concern for Coach Rob Oden. The Pioneers have a tough non conference schedule. Harper Woods should be a team to watch this season with the proven talent coming back.

 

2. West Bloomfield: The Lakers went to the Division One State Semifinals last season but had a tough loss to Southfield Arts and Tech on the final play last season. West Bloomfield added two transfers in linemen Jay Gardenhire from New Jersey and quarterback Beau Jackson from Novi Detroit Catholic Central. Gardenhire joins a very proven offensive line that looks to make some noise while Jackson looks to make his mark. Jackson has proven pass catchers in Elijah Durham and Kamren Flowers and that's not mentioning Josh Tate at running back. Coach Zach Hilbers has a ton of proven players on it's roster ready to make some noise. The Lakers have a tough schedule with every team they have made the postseason last season. Look for West Bloomfield to continue their winning ways.

 

3. Adams: The Highlanders will look to turn last season's disappointing year despite making the postseason into having a deep run this postseason. Adams has Ryland Watters at quarterback, Matteo Humbert at running back/linebacker, and Lachlin Tillison coming back at wide receiver. They are very strong up front with Rowan Kawa and Liam Kania leading the lines. The defense should be much improved this season. Coach Tony Patritto has done a wonderful job making the Highlanders into a State power. The Highlanders do not have an easy schedule but it's very manageable in the non league.

 

4. Lake Orion: The Dragons had a great year last season. They lost three key players to graduation but they have the majority of their team coming back. Lake Orion has TR Hill at quarterback along with proven wide receiver Jackie Vasquez. The power rushing attack will be a question mark for Coach Chris Bell but he feels confident they will score a ton of points. The defense is loaded up front and in the defensive secondary. The linebackers are a big concern for Bell this season. Lake Orion is loaded up front. If the Dragons can stay healthy, this is a very dangerous team.

 

5. Clarkston: The Wolves were around 500 last season but they got into the postseason after playing a really difficult schedule. Clarkston will look to have a much better year this season. The Wolves have the Bowman twins, Griffin and Lukas coming back at running back, defensive back/linebacker along with Brady Beck in the defensive secondary, and Drew Ball playing on both offensive and defensive lines. The quarterback spot is very concerning after quarterback Brady Collins transferred to Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit this offseason but Coach Justin Pintar is really confident in Alex Waszczenko and Mick Mahaffey can both carry the load at quarterback. The Wolves schedule is very challenging especially early. If Clarkston can shore up some things on defense, they should be back in the conversation again.

 

6. Oxford: The Wildcats made the postseason with a losing record but they got some big wins to get in last season. They have a boatload of experience coming back. Oxford is led by running back/linebacker Luke Johnson, kicker Drew Cady, and quarterback Jack Hendrix, among others. Coach Zach Line has done a phenomenal job with the Wildcats building the program and creating a culture in Oxford. The schedule is absolutely brutal for the Wildcats but that's what Line and Oxford likes, there's no days off for the Wildcats.

 

7. Groves: It was a very disappointing year for the Falcons losing twice to arch rival Seaholm by a combined 14 points last season. Groves has a ton of experience led by quarterback Ryan Counts, along with two proven running backs in Mario Campo-Lavisco and Noah Sanders, proven pass catchers in Noah Woods, Nick Hardy, Ben Hanzel, and Chris Little. Coach Brendan Flaherty has a proven experienced defense coming back with Teddy Abbot, Aidan Leung, and Paul Hubbard along with proven linemen in Ray Glory-Ejoyoah, Mattia Andriano, Issac Gjolaj, Josh Hammonds, Colin Vincent, and Avery Gach. The Falcons have a really tough schedule early and a manageable schedule late in the year. They have a ton of experience to make some noise.

 

8. Avondale: The Yellow Jackets had a great year under Coach Bob Meyer but they had a tough district final loss to Walled Lake Western. Avondale is loaded everywhere except for quarterback. Meyer has done a great job building this program and will keeping looking to make his mark in the younger levels. The schedule is very challenging especially the non league but most of them teams come to Auburn Hills. The defense looks very good and the offense will be on the rise. Once they get the quarterback thing figured out, look out.

 

9. Stoney Creek: The Cougars struggled at times last season in the Red and is now in the White. They have a new coach in Rick Powell taking over the program. Stoney Creek is loaded up front with Spencer Beckeman and Peyton Rummler along with running back Sam Fogler and linebacker Brendan Dobos, among others. The Cougars have questions at quarterback and wide receiver and in the defensive secondary. Stoney Creek has a tough schedule going against rivals and being in the White. The Cougars should be a program to watch especially with their program strength on the rise.

 

10. Farmington: It was a really disappointing year for the Falcons winning two games last season but there is a ton of optimism for Farmington going from the White to the Blue this season. The Falcons have a lot of proven talent coming back led by quarterback Julian Johnson along with other talented players on both sides of the football. Depth is a concern for Farmington. The Falcons have a favorable schedule if things go right. Coach Jason Albrecht should have this team ready to go heading into the season.