Week Nine Thoughts.

Written Saturday October 26th at 9:55 AM

West Bloomfield: The Lakers had a tough 49-48 overtime loss to Roseville on Friday night. West Bloomfield trailed 28-7 and 35-14 at one point but came back and forced overtime. The Lakers got a touchdown but the Panthers answered and got a two point conversion to win the game. This was a tough loss for Coach Zach Hilbers and company. West Bloomfield is most likely looking at Novi at the moment which would be a great matchup for the Lakers but Novi Detroit Catholic Central remains an option.

Lake Orion: The Dragons offense really looked out of sync in a stunning 8-7 loss to Saline on Friday night. The Lake Orion defense played really well shutting down the Hornets offense but it was a fourth and 10 and they went 80 yards on a crazy catch for a touchdown. Saline shut down the Lake Orion offense as mentioned. The Dragons are looking at either playing Oxford or Clarkston at the moment. I would be surprised if they see Stoney Creek or get a top seed in their district. Coach Chris Bell and his offense need to fix some things offensively and quick if not, they are in deep trouble.

Clarkston: The Wolves pulled off what was a surprise result in dominating Utica Eisenhower 32-3 on Friday night. The Bowman twins had a big night and Clarkston shut down the Eagles offense which was really impressive considering what Utica Eisenhower has done all season. The Wolves are looking at going north to see Davison which would be a very interesting matchup or going east like last season to play Lake Orion. There are options for Clarkston when it comes to the postseason but I’m seeing the northern option into Genesee County to be the scenario at the moment.

Adams: The Highlanders had a crazy hard fought 31-28 overtime win over New Baltimore Anchor Bay in New Baltimore on Friday night. Adams is guaranteed at least two home postseason games. The Highlanders are looking at Stoney Creek at the moment but there is a chance they could rematch Romeo although it’s not likely. The Highlanders are in a good spot right now.

Oxford: The Wildcats had a rough 28-0 loss to Macomb Dakota on Friday night. The loss shouldn’t damper on Oxford’s success this season. The Wildcats have a few scenarios which they look like they will be on the road to start. Oxford could head south and see arch rival Lake Orion, a team they won 21-18 earlier in the season or they could go north and head to Davison to see the Cardinals which would be a really tough matchup for them. There are postseason options for Coach Zach Line and the Wildcats but they will most likely be starting on the road first.

Harper Woods: The Pioneers had no issue with Detroit East English Village Prep winning 49-0 and sending them out of the postseason on Friday night. Harper Woods has a very interesting path in Division Four. I see them going to Redford Union in the first round despite the Pioneers winning 43-21 in week one at Harper Woods. It would be a really interesting matchup and if they win that matchup then they could see Madison Heights Lamphere in the district finals most likely. It will be really interesting to see how Coach Rob Oden plays this knowing most likely the Pioneers could be on the road to start their Division Four title defense.

Groves: The Falcons had a very impressive 35-0 win over Seaholm on Friday night securing multiple home games for the postseason. Groves is most likely looking at Ferndale first but there is still that Orchard Lake St. Marys component which is a difficult matchup for Coach Brendan Flaherty which is still possible. It will be very interesting to see what the MHSAA does with the Falcons but what is for sure is they will start the postseason at home.

Stoney Creek: The Cougars have been playing really good football in the last two weeks which included a 51-7 win over Ann Arbor Huron on Friday night. Coach Rick Powell has this program believing in his vision and it got him a trip to the postseason in his first year. Stoney Creek is looking at either going to Lake Orion or Adams in the first round. I would be shocked if they were sent to Swinehart although it is not likely especially with Romeo being the possible option to play Utica Eisenhower. The Cougars are a dangerous team no matter where they are sent in the postseason.

Rochester: The Falcons finished the season strong with a 45-8 win over Walled Lake Northern on Friday night. Rochester was the better team this night finishing the season at 4-5. There will be a ton of what if’s for Coach Erik Vernon and his program heading into the offseason but winning two games to finish is a start heading into next season.

Southfield Arts and Tech: The Warriors had a really disappointing season concluding against Detroit Renaissance. Southfield Arts and Tech won 26-22 over the Phoenix finishing their season at 2-7 in a rough year for Coach Keith McKenzie in his first season. It will be very interesting to see what McKenzie does this offseason with the Warriors.

Farmington: The Falcons had a struggle with Dearborn Heights Crestwood on Friday night but found a way and won 34-22 over Dearborn Heights Crestwood. Farmington can now focus on the postseason which there are a ton of options. The Falcons could go on the road which is the worst case but they could also host Orchard Lake St. Marys or Livonia Franklin which seem possible. Coach Jason Albright’s team has options when it comes to the postseason.

North Farmington: The Raiders knocked Troy out of the postseason with an impressive 35-7 win on their homecoming night. North Farmington has turned things around under Coach John Herstein to which they could host multiple postseason games. I have them playing South Lyon East at the moment but Orchard Lake St. Marys is another option. The Raiders are in a great spot to make some noise in Division Two.

Oak Park: The Knights had a season of what ifs on Friday night winning 32-21 over Bloomfield Hills on Friday night. You have to wonder what if Oak Park was in Division Three and not in Division Two, it could have been different. There will be a ton of questions for Coach Greg Carter and his team come this offseason.

Troy: The Colts had a tough 35-7 loss to North Farmington keeping them out of the postseason for a second straight season. Troy loses a lot of proven talent and they will be a different team next season for Coach Chris Frasier. There will be a ton of questions this offseason.

Troy Athens: The Red Hawks had a rough season finishing at 2-7 but went out on top with an impressive 42-7 win over Fraser on Friday night. There will be some questions heading into the offseason for Troy Athens about the direction of the program but for Coach Tom Cook it’s about looking forward to the offseason.

Seaholm: The Maples have not been the same team in the last three weeks since the North Farmington game. They fell 35-0 to arch rival Groves on Friday night. Seaholm is reeling at the moment but are still in the postseason field. The Maples might see the Falcons again in the postseason. It is most likely they see Warren Mott first but Orchard Lake St. Marys is still out there. It will be a tough road regardless for Coach Jim DeWald and company.

Bloomfield Hills: The Blackhawks have a lot of questions heading into next season after a 32-21 loss to Oak Park on Friday night. Bloomfield Hills saw some strides at times offensively but they struggled when they played good teams. There will be questions for Coach Dan Loria after finishing 1-8 this season.

Avondale: The Yellow Jackets earned a 28-7 win over Carleton Airport on Friday night taking the Jets out of the postseason. Avondale has a couple of options in Division Three. The big one is what happens if Waterford Kettering makes the postseason field. The MHSAA could send the Yellow Jackets to Fenton or host Redford Thurston which is the worst case meaning they would have to see Walled Lake Western in the district finals or give them two postseason games at Dick Bye Field with Garden City, Redford Thurston, and Warren Fitzgerald, or send them to Port Huron. There are plenty of options for Coach Bob Meyer and his team.

Ferndale: The Eagles earned their way into the postseason winning 10-0 on senior night over Utica Ford II to send its record to 6-3. Ferndale is most likely looking at Groves in the first round. It’s a huge accomplishment for Coach Eric Royal and his program with all that experience to get into the postseason.

Berkley: The Bears had an improving year under first year coach Casey Humes despite falling 45-0 to Madison Heights Lamphere on Friday night finishing at 2-7 this season. Berkley should keep improving heading into next season under Humes. They are in a much better place than they were last season.

Royal Oak: The Ravens kept Clawson from making the postseason with a 21-7 win on Friday night finishing the season at 3-6. Royal Oak should be a very interesting to watch in the future. They had some great and not so great moments this season. It will be very interesting to see how Coach Collin Campbell handles this offseason.

Pontiac: The Phoenix closed the season with a 28-0 loss to Detroit Lincoln Park Academy on Friday night finishing the season at 1-8. Depth was an issue for Pontiac all season. They lose a ton of talent including quarterback Kanye Donaldson. It will be very interesting to see what Coach Wendell Jefferson does this offseason.

 

 

Standings After Week Nine

Red

2. Oxford 3-1, 6-3

3. Lake Orion 2-2, 6-3

4. Adams 2-2, 7-2

5. Clarkston 2-2, 6-3

6. West Bloomfield 1-3, 4-5

 

White

1. Groves 4-0, 9-0

7. Harper Woods 3-1, 6-3

8. Stoney Creek 2-2, 5-4

Rochester 1-3, 4-5

Southfield Arts and Tech 0-4, 2-7

Blue

9. North Farmington 6-0, 6-3

Seaholm 5-1, 6-3

Farmington 4-2, 6-3

Troy 3-3, 4-5

Oak Park 2-4, 2-7

Troy Athens 1-5, 3-6

Bloomfield Hills 0-6, 1-8

Gold

10. Avondale 4-0, 6-3

Ferndale 3-1, 6-3

Berkley 1-3, 2-7

Royal Oak 1-3, 3-6

Pontiac 0-4, 1-8