Boys Soccer Districts.

Written Sunday October 4th at 9:11 AM

Here are the Boys Soccer Districts. Anthony Taormina and myself will give our thoughts on these district matchups. This will be updated with Ant's thoughts.

District 5 at Grand Blanc

4. Flushing vs. 5. DAVISON

2. Saginaw Heritage vs. 7. OXFORD

3. Midland Dow vs. 6. Lapeer

Flushing/DAVISON vs. 1. GRAND BLANC

SAM THOUGHTS: This is looking like it will be an interesting district. I like where Oxford is despite getting a seven seed and going against Saginaw Heritage. The Wildcats have played a much tougher schedule than anyone in the Saginaw Valley League. Oxford looks prime to have a deep postseason run and possibly get to the district final where they could see Grand Blanc. The Bobcats barring any upset should get to the district finals.

ANT THOUGHTS: Grand Blanc looks to be the favorite, but Oxford may be the most dangerous. Can see the Wildcats get by Heritage then Flushing or Davison. The benefits of playing teams like Troy, Troy Athens, Seaholm, and Clarkston will help Oxford when it comes to this district. Only Grand Blanc is a little more or a little less tested than Oxford. Grand Blanc is favored but don't be surprised if Oxford gets out of it too.

District 6 at Clarkston

4. BLOOMFIELD HILLS vs. 5. Birmingham Brother Rice

2. Lakeland vs. 7. Walled Lake Central

3. Walled Lake Northern vs. 6. WEST BLOOMFIELD

BLOOMFIELD HILLS/Birmingham Brother Rice vs. 1. CLARKSTON

SAM THOUGHTS: The Wolves have home field and they have a favorable draw in the district. They know Bloomfield Hills well pending if they get by Birmingham Brother Rice. Clarkston should have no issue winning this district although Lakeland could give them a challenge. Home field and familiarly favors the Wolves in this district.

ANT THOUGHTS: This district really is all Clarkston's to lose. Home field and familiarity are big advantages the Wolves have. Yes, Brother Rice faces the like of Catholic Central but Clarkston is more battle tested facing life in the OAA Red. Clarkston should come out of this district.

District 7 at North Farmington

4. Walled Lake Western vs. 5. North Farmington

2. Livonia Stevenson vs. 7. SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY

3. NOVI vs. 6. Farmington

Walled Lake Western/North Farmington vs. 1. NORTHVILLE

SAM THOUGHTS: This is an interesting district. Northville stands out but it's possible we could see a Northville/Novi district final pending if the Wildcats get by Livonia Stevenson. It's going to be tough for Southfield Arts and Tech in this district. It looks like with the Mustangs and Wildcats coming into the OAA next season Boys Soccer will be much stronger in the league.

ANT THOUGHTS: We are looking at a preview of what life will be in the OAA next year when Northville and Novi enter the OAA, most likely landing in the OAA Red. Livonia Stevenson has had a great season in their first year in the Lakes Valley. The Novi/Livonia Stevenson likely semifinal matchup will be interesting (Stevenson won their regular season matchup 3-2). Northville got the better draw and should be the favorite coming out of the district.  

District 13 at Troy

4. TROY ATHENS vs. 5. ROYAL OAK

2. SEAHOLM vs. 7. Detroit Renaissance

3. BERKLEY vs. 6. GROVES

TROY ATHENS/ROYAL OAK vs. 1. TROY

SAM THOUGHTS: Imagine Troy vs Troy Athens in a district semifinal, that is possible, both teams tied 1-1 when they played. Royal Oak is not an easy matchup for the Red Hawks. Seaholm and Berkley could be an interesting district semifinal. This district sees four teams maybe five teams having a shot in this really tough district.

ANT THOUGHTS: This district is always a very tough district. Four OAA Red giants' year in and out. Troy, Seaholm, Berkley, and Athens. All four are more than capable of winning the district and quite possibly the state championship. A lot of times the state champion has come out of this district. Royal Oak and Groves have also had solid seasons in the White which makes this district very competitive and interesting. Troy is the favorite, they have home field, has been ranked one of the top teams in the state of Michigan and even nationally but you can't underestimate a very experienced Seaholm, a very hungry Berkley, and rival Troy Athens. Not counting Royal Oak and Groves, both of whom can play spoiler.   

District 16 at Romeo

4. Romeo vs. 5. STONEY CREEK

2. ADAMS vs. 7. Utica

3. ROCHESTER vs. 6. LAKE ORION

STONEY CREEK/Romeo vs. 1. Utica Eisenhower

SAM THOUGHTS: Utica Eisenhower has had a really strong season and looks primed for a deep postseason run. I look at this district and say Lake Orion could make a run to the district final despite their goal scoring issues. They fell 2-0 to Rochester earlier in the season and tied Adams 1-1. Stoney Creek and Romeo are very interesting with the winner getting Utica Eisenhower in the district semifinals. This is anyone's district to take.

ANT THOUGHTS: Once again, this district is going to be challenging. Utica Eisenhower should be the favorite, but you can never count out either Adams or Romeo. Adams has benefitted from being down in the White for a year and should move back up to the Red. Adams may come out the winner since Ike and Romeo may possibly see each other in the semifinals and has far easier matchups going into the championship game. Ike is the favorite but don't count Adams out by a longshot.   

District 28 at Waterford Mott

4. AVONDALE vs. 5. Holly

2. PONTIAC vs. 7. WATERFORD MOTT

3. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood vs. 6. WATERFORD KETTERING

AVONDALE/Holly vs. 1. Orchard Lake St. Mary's

SAM THOUGHTS: This could be a very interesting district. Orchard Lake St. Marys is the early favorite, but Avondale or Holly could give them fits in the district semifinals. Pontiac and Waterford Mott are a very interesting first round matchup. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood vs Waterford Kettering is also very interesting. This should be a very interesting district to see.

ANT THOUGHTS: With this district it can go anyway. A lot of tremendous matchups that could spell upset all over. Avondale/Holly, Pontiac/Mott, and Cranbrook/Kettering are very intriguing matchups. All of which can go either way. Pontiac has had a very strong year and has competed against Bloomfield Hills and OLSM. The Eaglets are the early favorite but anyone can come out of this district.

District 30 at Hamtramck

1. Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit vs. 8. OAK PARK

4. FERNDALE vs. 5. Center Line

2. Hamtramck Oakland International Academy vs. 7. Warren Fitzgerald 

3. Hamtramck vs. 6. Madison Heights Lamphere

SAM THOUGHTS: Ferndale might have a shot to make some noise in this district if they can get past New Haven but Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit is a tough matchup for anyone. Hamtramck Oakland International Academy and Hamtramck should be an interesting game pending if they win their respective first round matchups. The Cubs are the early favorite to win this district.

ANT THOUGHTS: The Cubs are the early favorite and should be after tying Brother Rice and powerhouse Detroit Catholic Central but don't be surprised if Ferndale gives them a challenge. Ferndale won the OAA Blue this season and can play against anyone. Ferndale has to get by Center Line who is solid as well. U-D Jesuit is the favorite and will probably get out of this district. 

District 45 at Clawson

4. Marine City Cardinal Mooney vs. 5. New Haven

2. Hazel Park vs. 7. Algonac

3. Richmond vs. 6. CLAWSON

Marine City Cardinal Mooney/New Haven vs. 1. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep

SAM THOUGHTS: This is a very interesting district. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep is the favorite to win this district but don't count out Clawson, they have home field despite having an interesting first round game with Richmond and if they win that they could see Hazel Park. It will be very interesting to see but I feel six teams have a chance to win this district.

ANT THOUGHTS: Notre Dame Prep is one of the best teams in Division 2 and for good reason. Hazel Park may give the Fighting Irish a challenge, but this district is really Notre Dame Prep's district to lose.