Week One Thoughts

Written Friday August 30th at 11:15 PM

West Bloomfield: The L-Boyz found a defense in a stunning 42-0 blowout of Chippewa Valley in the Swamp on Thursday night. Corey Pittman took one back to the house and West Bloomfield never looked back. Jamal Shakespeare also had an interception as well. Josh Tate had a great game at running back for Coach Zach Hilbers as well. The Lakers looked like they found a defense especially in the secondary which should please Hilbers. They should be tested when they head to Beverly Hills to play Groves next week.

Lake Orion: The Dragons had to overcome a late Northville rally and hung on to beat the Mustangs 21-13 on Thursday night in Northville. TR Hill had a strong game that Coach Chris Bell needed from his three year starter. He ran for a touchdown late in the second quarter and connected with Ryan Rocheleau which proved to be the dagger for the Dragons. Jahmari Cooper had a huge touchdown in the middle of the third quarter which gave Lake Orion a spark and a 14-0 lead at the time. The defense was solid all night keeping a highly explosive Mustangs team in check for first year defensive coordinator Russ Purdy. Northville is a really good team that Lake Orion beat. The Dragons have Stoney Creek looming next week.

Clarkston: The Wolves had a really interesting game with Belleville on Friday afternoon. Clarkston made some mistakes early like fumbling on their own 14 yard line and letting Bryce Underwood go for 37 yards on a rushing touchdown. The Wolves had some life when Griffin Bowman scored a six yard rushing score giving them a 7-6 lead. Bowman added a second score from six yards out to make it 20-14 Belleville but the Tigers scored on an 80 yard run and got the two point conversion to make it 28-14 Belleville. Lukas Bowman added a one yard rushing score to make it 28-20 Belleville. Clarkston’s defense forced a fumble giving themselves one final chance and they converted with Alex Wasczenko connecting with Hank Hornung for 84 yards and a two point conversion from Brady Beck throwing a halfback pass to Grayson Clark tying the game at 28-28. Underwood then took over on the next drive running for 55 yards by himself giving Belleville a 35-28 lead. Underwood had seven carries for 177 yards and two scores for Belleville. The Wolves had another chance but fumbled late and Belleville recovered sealing the game with the Tigers winning 35-28. Coach Justin Pintar’s team came back from two scores to tie the game which is a confidence booster for the team. There is a lot to like about the resiliency of the Wolves. They found their quarterback in Wasczenko who looked solid, in control, and didn’t turn the ball over. Clarkston will be fine going forward. The Wolves have a really interesting matchup looming with Southfield Arts and Tech next week.

Adams: The Highlanders had a back and forth with Romeo at Dan Baranbo Field on Thursday night. The game needed overtime after Adams blew a 14-0 lead to force the extra session. The Bulldogs started off and took a 21-14 lead after their first possession of overtime but Adams behind their veer attack along with Rylan Watters and Lalachin Tillison along with the rest of the Highlanders never gave up and scored on their possession to make it 21-20 Romeo but Coach Tony Patritto decided to go for the win and it paid off giving Adams a stunning 22-21 win at Dan Barnabo Field. Watters went seven for eight for 93 yards with the game winning two yard pass on the two point conversion. He also had 21 carries for 156 yards and two scores. Adams has Rochester looming next week.

Oxford: It was rough for the Wildcats at Swinehart Field on Thursday night against Utica Eisenhower. Oxford fell 33-16 in a stunning result which didn’t start well with a kickoff return for a touchdown which put them behind the eight ball to start and they could not contain Bryce Hurley who had a big night for Utica Eisenhower running and receiving the ball. Hurley accounted for all five scores and grabbed two picks off Jack Hendrix for the Eagles. There are more opportunities ahead for Coach Zach Line and the Wildcats. They have a tough matchup looming with Harper Woods at Wildcat Stadium looming next week.

Harper Woods: The Pioneers had their game with Redford Union postponed after severe weather affected the area and played on Saturday morning. Harper Woods earned a hard fought 43-21 win over Redford Union opening up their State title defense in Division Four. The game was tied at 21-21 after a weather delay but the Pioneers managed to outscore the Panthers 22-0 to win the game. The defense had their moments where they struggled but they found a way with their high octane offense. Coach Rob Oden has a tough one looming with Oxford next week..

Groves: The Falcons had a dominant first half on Thursday night in an impressive 35-14 win over Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit on the road. Groves led 28-0 and never looked back. This is a huge win for Coach Brendan Flaherty against a proven Catholic League power house. Noah Sanders had a solid game including a 70 yard touchdown run. Ryan Counts had a passing and a rushing touchdown, 160 yards passing, and had a perfect completion percentage in his quarterback debut for the Falcons. Groves has a big one looming with West Bloomfield next week.

Stoney Creek: The Cougars opened the Coach Rick Powell era with a very impressive 42-21 win over Warren Cousino on Thursday night. Stoney Creek used an offensive explosion behind quarterback Brandon Gergics and never looked back. Gergics had three touchdowns, two in the air and one on the ground. Sam Fogler added a rushing score and the Cougars got a pick six from Brody Telegadas along with a rushing score from Telegadas as well. Powell will have a huge test when Lake Orion comes to Rochester next week.

Rochester: The Falcons never looked back and looked very impressive in a 38-7 win over Fraser on Hall of Fame night at Rochester. Jack Lower had three rushing touchdowns for the Falcons who led 28-0 at the half and never looked back. Coach Eric Vernon might have figured some things out on both sides of the football. Rochester has a big one looming with Adams next week in the Falcon Frenzy game.

Southfield Arts and Tech: The Warriors started their Division One State title defense with an impressive 46-0 win over Flint Beecher on Friday night. It’s basically a new roster with a new coaching staff for Southfield Arts and Tech. The Warriors had no issues against the Bucs. Coach Kurtis McKenzie will have a huge test awaiting them when they play Clarkston next week.

Farmington: The Falcons defense showed in a big way holding a good Oak Park team to six points in an impressive 17-6 win over the Knights on Thursday night. Farmington will look to keep improving on both sides of the football with another tough matchup looming with Holly next week coming to Falcon Field.

North Farmington: The Raiders had to battle back at times on Thursday night against Livonia Stevenson trailing the Spartans at one point 21-8 but they roared back to take a 22-21 lead but gave up a late score giving Livonia Stevenson the 27-22 win over North Farmington. Livonia Stevenson also had two goal line stands keeping the Raiders off the board and the defense couldn’t get that critical stop on fourth down and one which iced the game for the Spartans. Duke Blanch had 76 yards rushing while Terrance James went eight for 11 for 70 yards and two scores and an interception along with rushing for 89 yards and a score. North Farmington needs to bounce back as they play Ferndale next week.

Oak Park: The Knights had a tough outing on Thursday night against Farmington falling 17-6 at Falcon Field. Oak Park had chances but Farmington looked very good against them. Coach Greg Carter will have this team ready next week when they play Royal Oak.

Troy: The Colts were dominant on Thursday night against Bloomfield Hills winning 35-7 on the road. Troy got balance from Noah Oury who ran and threw to Jalen Peacock. Jackson Barrett added a touchdown and JP Makarewicz added a score. The Colts got two picks as well in the game which has to please Coach Chris Frasier. Troy has Pontiac looming next week.

Troy Athens: If the alarm bells aren’t ringing then they have to be loud and clear. The Red Hawks were shutout by Seaholm 40-0 on Thursday night. It is clear that Troy Athens is really struggling and the stats prove it. Coach Tom Cook needs to fix this and quickly. They have Berkley looming next week.

Seaholm: The Maples showed their dominance on Thursday night dominating Troy Athens 40-0 on their home field. Kyle Moore had two touchdowns while Aiden Moore and Hondo Raugh also caught touchdowns. Both quarterbacks were solid with Patrick Hughes throwing for a touchdown while Finn Rowland ran and threw for a score. Seaholm looks like they could be in the drivers seat despite having some questions. They have Avondale looming next week.

Bloomfield Hills: It was a rough outing for the Blackhawks in which they fell 35-7 to Troy. The Colts were the better team in this game. This is something that Coach Dan Loria needs to correct and quickly if they want to make some noise. Bloomfield Hills has Dearborn Divine Child looming next week.

Avondale: This was a shocker for me seeing the Yellow Jackets fall 20-14 to Cedar Springs at Troy Athens on Thursday night. Both defenses were very good but the Red Hawks had just enough offense to win this game. This is not a good way to start if your Coach Bob Meyer and Avondale. They have Seaholm looming next week.

Ferndale: The Eagles had a tough outing against Madison Heights Lamphere falling 27-18 on their home field on Thursday night. Ferndale trailed 27-0 after three quarters but couldn’t comeback. The Eagles have a ton of experience which had Coach Eric Royal excited but they have not been able to find that consistency against a good opponent. If the Eagles want to be a postseason team they can’t afford to lose anymore. They have North Farmington looming next week.

Berkley: The Bears defense was great on Thursday night but the offense had a ton of struggles in a game that needed overtime but it was Walled Lake Central who got the best of Berkley for the second straight year winning 7-0 in overtime. The defensive effort is a start for the Bears but they need to get the offense going. They have a really interesting matchup with Troy Athens looming next week.

Royal Oak: This was a trap game for the Ravens taking on a really good Detroit Lincoln King program and the Wolves continued their winning ways by beating Royal Oak 38-13 on Thursday night at Royal Oak. The Ravens defense was torched by Detroit Lincoln King Academy who has had wins over Hamtramck and Memphis last season. Coach Collin Campbell needs to fix a ton of things especially on defense with Oak Park looming next week.

Pontiac: The Phoenix had the only win in the Gold this week dominating Detroit Fredrick Douglass 40-0 on their home field on Thursday night. Kayne Donaldson had an impressive game for Coach Wendell Jefferson’s team. Pontiac has a big one looming with Troy next week but they are off to a great start.