Written Saturday September 6th at 8:30 AM
Here are my thoughts on each team. I'll have more on my podcast on Monday.
Waterford Kettering (PANIC): The Captains have not been able to maintain people defensively which is a big concern. Waterford Kettering has allowed 104 points in the last two weeks which is not a good sign for a program that is looking to develop a culture. It is clear at Waterford Kettering, the defense has been the problem which is something they need to fix going forward.
Waterford Mott (PATIENCE): The Corsairs revenge tour is alive and well after a 28-27 win over Milford on Friday night. Waterford Mott has managed to stay healthy which is huge and they are getting much need contributions. If this keeps up the Corsairs have a shot at the Lakes Valley Conference crown before coming into the OAA next season.
Pontiac (CONCERN): The Phoenix have shown signs of progress despite falling 44-16 to Troy Athens. Pontiac has been competitive which is something Coach Wendell Jefferson wants. The Phoenix will be fine going forward despite the results.
Berkley (PANIC): The Bears have had things rough lately getting outscored 66-7 in the last two weeks which is not good if your trying to build a program. There are issues on both sides of the football which has to bother Coach Casey Humes. There is time to fix this especially with a strong junior varsity program that has been experiencing winning lately.
Royal Oak (CONCERN): The Ravens have been a really odd team to figure out, they beat St. Clair Shores Lake Shore 17-7 in week one only to get blown out 42-7 by Bloomfield Hills in week two. Royal Oak could be a mystery team because no one knows what to expect of them week to week.
Ferndale (PANIC): The Eagles have gotten off to a tough start to the season after falling to Troy 24-12 on Friday night. Ferndale has struggled on both sides of the football scoring 26 points while allowing 41 points is not a good sign. They still control their own destiny in the Gold but if they want to be a postseason team they have to grow up fast however there isn't a lot of time to do that.
Avondale (PANIC): The Yellow Jackets have not adjusted well especially offensively only scoring 13 points while the defense has really struggled getting outscored 101-13 in two weeks. This is not a good omen for first year Coach Jim Carlisle when both sides of the football are really struggling right now.
Troy (CONCERN): The Colts by many were projected to finish last in the Blue but they sit at 2-0 which is mind boggling after everyone they lost they are finding ways to win games. Troy could be a team to watch for especially when teams have doubted them heading into the season. Despite being 2-0 there are some warning signs with the Colts.
North Farmington (PATIENCE): The Raiders had a really tough loss to Walled Lake Western on Friday night. I think North Farmington will be fine despite the loss to the Warriors. Walled Lake Western will probably be the best team they see all season long. The Raiders have the Farmington Cup looming next week.
Farmington (CONCERN): The Falcons were riding high after beating Oak Park but they went to Holly where they were in a trap game before getting upset 20-18 by the Bronchos on Friday night. This has to be an embarrassing loss for Coach Jason Albright and Farmington which can't be too pleased heading into their game with arch rival North Farmington on Friday night.
Troy Athens (CONCERN): The Red Hawks bounced back after a tough 31-28 loss to Seaholm with an impressive 44-16 win over Pontiac on Friday night. Troy Athens has been putting points on the board which is a good sign but the defense is very concerning. The defense is the key to the Red Hawks season if they want to be a postseason team.
Oak Park (PATIENCE): The Knights bounced back in a big way with a 32-0 win over Berkley on Friday night. Oak Park put out a strong offensive performance after what happened to them in their 17-12 loss to Farmington. If they can put numbers like this every week then good things are on the horizon for the Knights.
Bloomfield Hills (PATIENCE): The Black Hawks got their first win of the Scott Merchant era with an impressive 42-7 win over Royal Oak on Friday night. Hopefully that performance is a glimpse of what Bloomfield Hills fans are looking forward into the future.
Seaholm (PATIENCE): The Maples are off to an impressive 2-0 start after winning 44-6 over Avondale. The veer offense has been the carrying card for Coach Jim DeWald who won his 100th game as Maples coach. Seaholm's defense has been solid as well. Seaholm is in a great spot right now in the Blue.
Southfield Arts and Tech (PANIC): The Warriors have a huge problem on both sides of the football which is why they are at 0-2. Southfield Arts and Tech has gotten outscored 80-8 in the last two weeks. So far it's the mental sickie of the Warriors has been the big problem and when your playing a tough schedule like Southfield Arts and Tech has that's not a good sign going forward.
Rochester (CONCERN): The Falcons had a tough one with Adams on Friday night falling 31-3 which is their 30th straight loss to the Highlanders (last win was 1996.) Rochester had trouble with Adams all night. The Falcons have to bounce back which they are more than capable of doing but next week is a much win against another desperate team in Lake Orion.
Groves (CONCERN): The Falcons had a really tough 24-21 loss to Oxford on Friday night. Groves seems to be heading in the right direction despite the loss to the Wildcats. I think the Falcons will be fine going forward but a big challenge looms with Harper Woods next week.
Harper Woods (PATIENCE): The Pioneers have made a statement to the State coming back from 21-0 down in Clarkston and stunned the Wolves 27-21 on Friday night. Clearly Nate Rocheleau has been the story along with Dakota Guerrant who was brilliant on both sides of the football but the defense has really stepped up holding a Wolves squad that has the Boman twins to no points in the second half. Harper Woods right now looks to be on a mission and it's showing why at the moment.
Stoney Creek (PATIENCE): The Cougars made a statement going into Lake Orion and winning 29-20 on Friday night. Stoney Creek used a lot of wildcat with Rose Telgadaes which caused problems all night for the Dragons along with a tough defense that was causing havoc. The Cougars lost Peyton Rummler to an injury which is a long term concern. Stoney Creek is riding with a lot of confidence right now.
West Bloomfield (PATIENCE): The Lakers earned their second straight 37-0 win in the Swamp over Southfield Arts and Tech but you really can't judge West Bloomfield considering that Dearborn Fordson and Southfield Arts and Tech are really struggling right now. Both sides of the football has played well thus far and Will Espy has became a player to watch for the Lakers. We'll know a lot about West Bloomfield when Adams comes to the Swamp next week.
Adams (PATIENCE): The Highlanders have been impressive however they are in the same boat as West Bloomfield. Adams has been really impressive offensively scoring 62 points in the first two weeks, a lot of that has been the play of Ryland Watters among others. The offensive line has been very good along with other skill players. The defense has been stout allowing 10 points in two weeks. The Highlanders have clearly looked the part of being one of the top teams in the State thus far. We'll know a lot about Adams when they head into the Swamp to play the Lakers next week. The Highlanders are who I thought they were beginning of the season.
Oxford (PATIENCE): The Wildcats have relied on a lot of experience and mental toughness which was proven in Beverly Hills on Friday night. Oxford survived 24-21 over Groves but the mental sickie of this team despite the changes has always been there. Jack Hendrix and AJ Krupa have been the catalysts on both sides of the football but others have stepped up as well. The Wildcats have been treading water but we'll know a lot about them when they play Clarkston.
Clarkston (CONCERN): I have said before the season that the defense was going to be a serious concern, man I was right and it showed against Harper Woods. The Wolves had a 21-0 lead in the first half then things went south quick. Harper Woods scored a touchdown then got an onside kick which led to 20 more points for the Pioneers in what was a shocking 27-21 home loss on Friday night. It is clear Clarkston leans on the Boman twins but it was troubling that the Wolves did not score a point in the second half, now credit to Harper Woods for that. The offensive line despite having a ton of proven experience has to be addressed however it's not the main issue, the defense has to be fixed if not trouble could be on the horizon as Doug Corless said on the podcast, the Wolves are as good as the Boman twins takes them.
Lake Orion (CONCERN): A lot of people did not think that the Dragons would start the year at 0-2. Lake Orion has three really tough injuries they are dealing with to AJ Catachenci, James Bambard, and Jayden Borrero. The former of the two could be season ending injuries. Lack of depth in the skill positions has hurt the Dragons but Coach Chris Bell has about 60-70 kids on the roster that he needs to look at for bigger roles, some that have not played a lot needs to see time on the field. Offensively they have to find answers scoring 33 points in two games with Anderson Adams scoring three of the team's four touchdowns is very troubling and there has been times that Adams has panicked which led to sacks and bad decisions. Defensively it's clear they have to get off the field, they have given up long drives in both their games against Stoney Creek and Northville. This is a program that has to get tougher (physically and mentally.) Like I said before the season started mental sickie and scheme were my biggest concerns with this program. This is clearly a program issue, is this fixable sure, there are a ton of playoff points that can be had but time is running out and Lake Orion needs to win some games if they want to save their season.
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