Written Tuesday July 28th at 11:46 AM
Here are some early week one thoughts heading into the football season.
CLARKSTON vs South Lyon @ Ann Arbor: This is shaping to be a very interesting matchup between two teams that haven't seen each other a lot. The Wolves lost a ton of talent from last season. The Lions have a lot of talent coming back. The last time Clarkston was in Ann Arbor they fell 23-10 to Northville in 2023. This should be a good test for Coach Justin Pintar and the Wolves playing a very good South Lyon program in Ann Arbor.
ADAMS vs Romeo @ Ann Arbor: This is a rematch of two Highlanders wins over the Bulldogs which included the postseason when Adams won 29-13 in the regional finals last season. The Highlanders have won the last four meetings over the Bulldogs. These are two regional proven powerhouses. Could this be the year that Romeo solves the veer offense that Adams has or will the Highlanders continue their dominance???
SEAHOLM vs Milford @ Ann Arbor: This could be the Maples greatest test in Ann Arbor. The Mavericks have a high-octane offense with a very good quarterback that Coach Jim DeWald and the Maples are going to have to deal with. Seaholm can't afford to trail or get down early in this game or it will spell trouble with Milford's offense. The key for the Maples is to slow the game down and play veer football.
GROVES vs North Farmington @ Wayne State: These are two former OAA rivals going at it with legendary coaches everywhere in this game and it's been neck and neck with both schools winning two games each since 2020. Falcons Coach Brendan Flaherty was recently inducted into the Michigan Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame then there is former Harrison Coach John Herrington who is an assistant under current Raiders Coach Jon Herstein. The Falcons are bringing in a new quarterback and has defensive concerns but has Jeremiah Whitley at running back. North Farmington has a solid quarterback in former Detroit Cass Tech standout Elijah Cobb at quarterback. This will be a good test for Groves going up against a proven program.
ROYAL OAK vs St. Clair Shores Lake Shore: This is a rematch of a 17-7 Ravens win in St. Clair Shores last season. Royal Oak has to replace their quarterback and has some questions that Coach Colin Campbell needs to answer. The Shorians had a rough year last season but should be better this season. Royal Oak had one bad loss which cost them a trip to the postseason. This should be a very interesting game.
BERKLEY at Livonia Franklin: The Dan Earls era begins at Berkley and for his first game is a trip to Livonia to play Livonia Franklin. The Patriots beat the Bears 34-7 at Hurley Field last season. Livonia Franklin was a postseason team last season. Earls is known for offense but the defense will get a stiff test against a Patriots offense that was really good last season.
SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH at East Kentwood: Warriors will get tested right away for first year coach Antwon Robinson. East Kentwood blew out Southfield Arts and Tech 43-8 and made the Division One State Semifinals falling to Novi Detroit Catholic Central last season. The Falcons have a high-octane offense and a ton of experience. This is going to be a very tough matchup for the Warriors.
WEST BLOOMFIELD at Dearborn Fordson: The Lakers will head to Dearborn for an early test with the Tractors. West Bloomfield won 37-0 over Dearborn Fordson at the Swamp last season. The Tractors have gone through a transition period, but this will be a test. Lakers Coach Zach Hilbers will have his hands full but trust him I do.
STONEY CREEK vs Utica Eisenhower: This is a rematch of a 35-31 Cougars win over the Eagles in the first round of the postseason at Stoney Creek last season. These two schools are separated by five miles across the Oakland/Macomb County line. Stoney Creek has a ton of experience coming back. Utica Eisenhower will be tough as always. This is a tone setter game between the Cougars and Eagles to see who starts off strong.
AVONDALE at Walled Lake Northern: Both teams had very miserable 2025's last season. The Yellow Jackets have a new coach with a ton of questions. The Knights went through a coaching transition last season. This is a key game for Avondale to start strong for new Coach JayRamond Hall and forget last season in a big way.
ROCHESTER vs Macomb L'Anse Creuse North: Falcons Coach Eric Vernon likes going into Macomb County to play Macomb County schools. The Crusaders had it rough, they went 0-9 last season. The Falcons have a quarterback/wide receiver duo in Matt Dyki and Nate Tandy. Macomb L'Anse Creuse North should be better this season. This should be very interesting to see before the Falcon Frenzy Game the following week.
BLOOMFIELD HILLS vs Macomb L'Anse Creuse: This is a very interesting matchup of two schools that struggled last season. Black Hawks Coach Scott Merchant is in his second year which usually means big results. The quarterback spot is the question mark for Bloomfield Hills. Macomb L'Anse Creuse should be much improved. This should be a good test for the Black Hawks.
WATERFORD KETTERING at Livonia Clarenceville: The Bob Meyer return tour starts for the Captains. Meyer coached at Livonia Clarenceville before taking the Avondale job. Waterford Kettering won 14-0 last season in week five. That was probably one of the Captains best games after a rough year last season.
OXFORD at Hartland: This is a rematch of a 23-7 Wildcats win over the Eagles last season on the blue turf. Oxford is very experienced except for the quarterback spot. Hartland has a very talented lineman in William Tobin. This game could be on 93.5 WHNI in Livingston County. This should be a very interesting game in Hartland.
WATERFORD MOTT at TROY ATHENS: This is a very interesting matchup of two different styles. The Corsairs are young, athletic, and quick. The Red Hawks have the line play. This game comes down to the coaching staffs and to see which team's weaknesses get shored up the best wins this game.
PONTIAC vs Detroit Community: Detroit Community was a postseason team last season. It's going to be a tough assignment for Coach Wendell Jefferson and the Phoenix to prepare for. Pontiac though has played a much tougher schedule, and the game is at Pontiac.
HARPER WOODS at Chelsea: What a tough opener for the Pioneers. The Bulldogs are coached by former Lowell Coach Noelle Dean who is known for running the Wing T. Hopefully Harper Woods can figure out their quarterback situation during their scrimmage and practices. The Pioneers have proven athletes and depth everywhere, but Chelsea is tough and physical. This will be a tough game for Harper Woods.
OAK PARK vs Grand Rapids Catholic Central: This is as tough of a matchup as you can get for the Knights. The Cougars are talented, well balanced, and can travel. Oak Park has experienced skill players but questions up front. This is going to be tough for the Knights, but the game is in Knight Valley.
TROY vs Grosse Pointe North: These are two teams that had things rough in 2025. The Colts haven't been the same team since September 19th when they went 0-6 and scored 21 points in that span. The Norseman allowed over 40 points five times including allowing 35 points or more in their three games last season. Whoever wins this game will gain some confidence heading into their seasons. This is a big game for both teams with the trajectory of their seasons going forward.
FERNDALE vs Madison Heights Lamphere: This is a rematch of a 17-14 Rams double overtime win in week one last season. Madison Heights Lamphere has a new coach and a transition period ahead. The Eagles should be motivated for this season and especially this game.
LAKE ORION at NORTHVILLE: These are two schools that are no strangers to one another. The Mustangs won 14-13 over the Dragons at Wayne State last season after the Dragons won 21-13 at Northville in 2024. Lake Orion has more experience offensively but defensively will be the test. Northville likes to run the ball, but their defensive secondary faces a stiff test. This should be a fun matchup between two future OAA rivals.
NOVI at Traverse City Central: Coach Logan Pawloski (Traverse City West alumni) makes his return to Traverse City and Thirby Field. This is also a rematch after the Wildcats got blown out 46-3 in week one by the Titans in Novi last season. I like what Pawloski is doing with team bonding and going to Traverse City early. It will be a good test for Novi in Grand Traverse County.
CLAWSON vs Detroit Pershing: The Trojans and Doughboys are no strangers to one another. Clawson won both meetings although tight with Detroit Pershing. Coach Steve Haney has some experience coming back although there are questions with depth. Both these schools were postseason teams in Division Six last season. This should be a fun game in Clawson.
GRAND BLANC vs Belleville: The Bobcats are coming off a very disappointing 42-22 loss to Clarkston in the district finals after having an unbeaten regular season last season. Grand Blanc was an offensive machine in 2025 scoring over 50 points five times last season. They will have a pretty young team when Belleville comes into Genesee County. The Tigers were blown out 38-7 by Clarkston in week one at Wayne State and really wasn't the same program despite winning seven straight games. Belleville had three losses including to the Wolves where they allowed 30 or more points. They allowed 57 points in a 57-36 loss to Howell in week nine and were upset 30-29 by Brownstown Woodhaven in the first-round with both games being at Belleville last season. Grand Blanc has a new quarterback along with a ton of questions. This should be a very interesting matchup for the Bobcats going up against a talented and athletic Tigers program.
DAVISON vs Roseville: This is a rematch after the Cardinals won 38-21 over the Panthers in Macom County in week one last season. Davison have to replace a ton of talent from last season. Roseville is well coached and well-disciplined but they have to make that long drive to Cardinal Stadium to play Davison. The Cardinals have questions at quarterback plus defensively as well. This should be a good test for Davison.
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