Playoff Thoughts.

Written Saturday November 1st at 8:45 AM

Here are my postseason thoughts, I'll have more on this on the podcast. This will also be on the website https://aroundtheoaa.weebly.com/ and the ONTV blog.

Harper Woods: The Pioneers had no issues with Macomb Lutheran North winning 45-16 on Friday night. Harper Woods used their athletes and controlled the game. The Pioneers will see their city rivals Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy next and Dearborn Divine Child in the regional final most likely if they get by the Eagles. Harper Woods is in a good place right now.

Groves: The Falcons had no issues with Warren Mott winning 49-14 over the Marauders in Beverly Hills on Friday night. Groves had Jeremiah Whitley go off. He had 322 yards rushing and six touchdowns. The Falcons will see Warren Cousino in the district finals in Beverly Hills. If they get by the Patriots they could see St. Clair Shores Lakeview or Grosse Pointe South most likely on the road. The Falcons have been here before despite being a young team, they were on last season's team which had that deep run to the State Semifinals, could this team be the ones to get Groves to Ford Field, we'll find out.

Seaholm: The Maples tried to play time possession football in Warren on Friday night even taking a 7-0 lead but Warren Cousino answered and forced turnovers against Seaholm forcing them to throw and abandoned the veer which resulted in a 28-7 loss to the Patriots on Friday night. The Maples like to have the lead which most veer teams do but when they trail problems start to occur like they did in Warren. It will be a very interesting offseason for Seaholm and lets see how they bounce back from this tough loss.

North Farmington: The Raiders fell victim to the MHSAA unwritten rule when they were given a top seed in a district for a second straight year but they had to play Orchard Lake St. Marys. The Eaglets repeated last season's performance with a 35-7 win over North Farmington at Ron Holland Field. The Raiders lose Terrance James among others to graduation. They will have some questions heading into next season when they leave the OAA for the Lakes Valley Conference.

Waterford Mott: The Corsairs had a very rough second half getting outscored 31-8 in a shocking and stunning 51-15 loss to Midland Dow at Midland Community Stadium on Friday night. The Chargers were all over Waterford Mott up front and also in the air but the Corsairs kept fighting despite allowing five passing touchdowns to Midland Dow quarterback Wynn Diegel. Waterford Mott will enter the OAA with arch rival Waterford Kettering but there will be some questions for the Corsairs despite having Tori Robinson coming back next season. 

Farmington: The Falcons battled tough with Dearborn Fordson but ran out of steam in a 34-14 loss to the Tractors at Falcon Field on Friday night. Anthony Bailey had a touchdown run for Farmington but it was Dearborn Fordson that outscored the Falcons 14-0 in the late third and fourth quarters that made the difference. Farmington leaves the OAA for the Lakes Valley Conference next season, it will be very interesting to see how the Falcons do in the league next season.

West Bloomfield: The Lakers had a tough matchup with Brighton in the Swamp on Friday night but it was the Bulldogs that used field goals and a stout defense to end West Bloomfield's season winning 25-7. The Lakers offense could not get in sync mainly because of the Bulldogs defense which were focused on Jamal Shakespear, Will Espy, among other West Bloomfield skill players. The Lakers defense forced Brighton to make six field goals which they did. West Bloomfield will have a very interesting offseason to look forward too.

Stoney Creek: The postseason is a grind night in and night out. The Cougars earned a hard fought 35-31 win over their Macomb County rival Utica Eisenhower on Friday night. It was a back and forth game but the difference was the Eagles got a field goal however the Cougars got a touchdown and held on late getting a pass breakup in the end zone to seal it. Brodie Telegadas had four touchdowns. This is Stoney Creek's first postseason win since 2020 and they will move on to see arch rival Adams. The Highlanders survived the Cougars 26-20 in overtime and if they get by Adams they would go to Romeo but host Macomb Dakota. It's survive and advance mode for Stoney Creek right now.

Rochester: The Falcons made the postseason only to see their arch rival Adams. Rochester put up a fight but they were no match for the Highlanders experience in the postseason falling 34-10 on Friday night. Rochester allowed five touchdowns in five series, the last time they beat Adams was in 1996. The Falcons have some questions next season but they have Matt Dykie and Nate Tandy coming back. Rochester should be in the hunt for the postseason next season. 

Adams: The Highlanders earned their 30th straight win over Rochester winning 34-10 on Friday night. Adams has been here before and they took advantage with their experience. Adams had five drives and five touchdowns. The Highlanders will see Stoney Creek in the district finals which is a rematch of a 26-20 overtime win at Stoney Creek. If they win that game then they would see Macomb Dakota or Romeo at Highlander Stadium. Adams is in a good place right now.

Oxford: The Wildcats fell victim to the unwritten MHSAA rule. The MHSAA didn't care about the playoff points (Oxford had the sixth most points in Division One.) Oxford was given Grand Blanc in the first round which was a brutal matchup. Many playoff experts like myself had the Wildcats having a home game with Stoney Creek but it wasn't meant to be. The Wildcats fought even getting two long touchdown runs from Chris Pullman but the Bobcats offense was too much winning an offensive shootout 49-30 on Friday night. Oxford loses Jack Hendrix and AJ Krupa which will be big losses but they do have a lot coming back next season. The Wildcats deserved better from the MHSAA when it came to postseason matchups, they will be back.

Clarkston: The Wolves had an explosion and exposed a Davison defense which they were coached by former Waterford Mott Coach Chris Fahr for 52 points in an impressive 52-14 win over the Cardinals. Alex Waszczenko had a night through the air against Fahr's defense and Clarkston had a punt block for a touchdown as well. The Wolves will see Grand Blanc in what could be a shootout and if they win that game they could see Novi Detroit Catholic Central but the Shamrocks would come to Clarkston if they match up with one another.