Week Three Thoughts. Concerns, Serious Concern, Good Spot, Patience.

Written Saturday September 13th at 9:00 AM

Here are thoughts on each team after week three.

Waterford Kettering: SERIOUS CONCERN: The Captains defense is the story in a rough 45-6 loss to Milford on Friday night. Balance has also been a troubling spot as well for Waterford Kettering. It has been a challenging second year for Coach Brian Barnes which is about to get tougher with the schedule ahead.

Waterford Mott: GOOD SPOT: The Corsairs now control their own destiny in the Lakes Valley Conference after a 42-34 win at Walled Lake Western on Friday night. The defense is a bit of a concern for Waterford Mott and something to watch going forward.

Pontiac: PATIENCE: The Phoenix had a rough loss to Berkley 43-0 at home on Friday night. Pontiac is in the process of building something. They are taking some lumps right now but long term this program will be fine.

Royal Oak: CONCERN: The Ravens had a tough 46-14 loss to Ferndale and this is the second straight week the Ravens have given up 40 points or more. Royal Oak needs to figure things out especially defensively going forward.

Avondale: SERIOUS CONCERN: The Yellow Jackets are in huge trouble after falling 50-7 to Macomb Lutheran North on Friday night. The defense has allowed 151 points in three games which is a very troubling sign. No one expected this type of drop off from Avondale, there are serious concerns with the Yellow Jackets direction going forward.

Berkley: PATIENCE: The Bears bounced back in a big way winning 43-0 over Pontiac on Friday night. Berkley was dominant all night on both sides of the football. They need to continue that if they want to make some noise in the Gold this season. 

Ferndale: GOOD SPOT: The Eagles bounced back exploding for 46 points in an impressive 46-14 win over Royal Oak on Friday night. The offense was stout which is a good sign heading into the future for Coach Donovan Jackson.

Troy: PATIENCE: The Colts have seemed to have this thing figured out winning 28-14 over Flint Powers on Friday night. Offense has been solid while the defense has been stout for Troy allowing 14 or less in three straight weeks. Maybe there is something brewing in Troy with everyone counting them out. Can they keep it up is the question.

Troy Athens: CONCERN: The Red Hawks defense is a serious concern right now in a 44-17 loss to Oak Park on Friday night. Troy Athens has been up and down lately but the defense needs to be seriously addressed if they want to turn things around going forward.

Farmington: CONCERN: The Falcons bounced back after a tough 20-18 loss to Holly by getting the Farmington Cup back in a stunning 35-22 win over North Farmington on Friday night. Farmington took a 35-0 lead and never looked back. The Falcons have been trending in the right direction but there are still some concerns when looking at Farmington.

North Farmington: CONCERN: The Raiders took a very rough 35-22 loss to their arch rivals Farmington on Friday night. North Farmington trailed 35-0 at one point in the third quarter. It wasn't a good night for Coach John Herstein and the Raiders, now they've opened themselves up to questions after this tough loss.

Bloomfield Hills: PATIENCE: It was going to take some time for the Black Hawks to get things in the right direction but Bloomfield Hills had a tough 28-7 loss to Seaholm on Friday night. There are some questions that Coach Scott Merchant needs to address but you got to be patient with this program.

Seaholm: GOOD SPOT: The Maples defense was dominant in their impressive 28-7 win at Bloomfield Hills. Patrick Hughes had three touchdowns for Seaholm. The Maples are rolling right now with confidence and program strength has been treading in the right direction thus far.

Oak Park: PATIENCE: The Knights are starting to turn things around after an impressive 44-17 win over Troy Athens on Friday night. The offense has played well since their loss to Farmington in week one while the defense has to still get better. Oak Park has suddenly started to turn things around and is trending in the right direction.

Southfield Arts and Tech: SERIOUS CONCERN: The Warriors are in trouble falling 40-18 to Stoney Creek on Friday night. The Southfield Arts and Tech defense has allowed 120 points in three weeks, that's not a good sign. The offense showed some promise which is a good sign. They need to continue their growth and improve each week going forward.

Groves: CONCERN: The Falcons had a rough loss to Harper Woods falling 35-8 on Friday night. Groves has a young team after losing a lot of proven talent last season. The Falcons should be fine going forward despite the loss to a very good Pioneers team.

Harper Woods: GOOD SPOT: The Pioneers are in a really good spot after a 35-8 win over Groves on Friday night. Harper Woods had been waiting two years to get the Falcons back which they did. The Pioneers are clicking on all cylinders right now. 

Rochester: PATIENCE: This was the Falcons best win in a long time upsetting Lake Orion 23-21 earning their first win over the Dragons since 1996. This is Coach Eric Vernon's best win in his legendary coaching career at Rochester. Nate Tandy had a really good game for the Falcons. The sub varsities are a concern but things are riding high with Rochester right now.

Stoney Creek: GOOD SPOT: The Cougars are rolling after a 40-18 win over Southfield Arts and Tech. Stoney Creek is gaining a lot of confidence as we speak and are clicking on all cylinders. Their sub varsity programs also got wins as well. Coach Rick Powell has built a machine with the Cougars.

West Bloomfield: GOOD SPOT: The Lakers defense was the story in their 12-6 win over Adams. They got timely plays from Jaxon Carver and Jamal Shakespear along with Jeremiah Benson making plays but the defense shut down a vaunted veer offense holding the Highlanders to six points. West Bloomfield is rolling right now.

Adams: CONCERN: The Highlanders had a rough night offensively falling 12-6 to West Bloomfield. Adams did not have Ryland Watters play and Nolan Farris got hurt forcing the Highlanders to turn to Brady Lindstrom. The defense held the Lakers to 12 points but it's the offense especially the offensive line that needs to be addressed. There are some concerns but Watters needs to come back and soon. 

Oxford: PATIENCE: The Wildcats had some things that didn't go their way after a 38-17 loss to Clarkston on Friday night but they were in it trailing 17-10 after three quarters but were outscored 21-7 in the fourth quarter. There were some bright spots despite the loss to the Wolves. Oxford is better than people think but there are some questions going forward.

Clarkston: GOOD SPOT: The Wolves bounced back in a big way winning 38-17 at Oxford in a hard fought game. Clarkston scored in every phase of the game including a 103 yard pick six which basically sealed it for the Wolves. Clarkston played well but know they can improve well. The program also had a strong week winning both their sub varsity games this week. The Wolves are in a pretty good spot both now and in the future.

Lake Orion: SERIOUS CONCERN: Pretty much the Dragons have hit rock bottom after falling 23-21 to Rochester which sent them to 0-3. It's the first loss to the Falcons since 1996. Penalties, lack of discipline, missed assignments, injuries hurt Lake Orion in this game. The lone bright spot was Brody Thompson who played well while everyone else struggled. Everything from inside the program to the youth levels has to be seriously questioned. It is clear something has to change.