OAA Blue 2021 review

The entire season and postseason is now a wrap for the OAA Blue in what was quite an interesting year for the conference. We had disappointing seasons, amazing seasons, highs, lows, and everything in between. Let’s recap the 2021 standings and quickly recap how each team did this season. <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Standings</strong></span> <ol> <li>(8-0) Bloomfield Hills</li> <li>(7-1) Troy</li> <li>(6-2) Berkley</li> <li>(4-4) Farmington</li> <li>(4-4) Avondale</li> <li>(4-4) Athens</li> <li>(2-6) Royal Oak</li> <li>(1-7) Ferndale</li> <li>(0-8) Pontiac</li> </ol> <strong>Bloomfield Hills </strong> The Blackhawks had a sensational regular season that was a huge improvement from 2020. Winning every game with little resistance, Bloomfield hills soured to 1st place in the OAA Blue before being demolished in the playoffs by Catholic Central. Unfortunately, such a great season ended so abruptly, but I suppose it was just the luck of the draw in the playoffs. Bloomfield Hills had the #2 offense and the #2 defense in the Blue. Offensive MVP - <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13309625">CJ Jackson</a> Defensive MVP - <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11653517">Oscar Jankowski</a> <strong>Troy</strong> The Colts came in as the favorites to win the Blue and fell just short in that goal. This team was also much improved from 2019 and 2020 as the colts had a combined record of 4-13 in those two seasons. It was a shame that after such a season, they got blown out in the playoffs by Chippewa Valley. Troy posted the #6 offense and the #1 defense in the Blue. It should be interesting to see how the Colts perform next season. Offensive MVP - <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12842167">[player_tooltip player_id="30347" first="Darius" last="Whiteside"] II</a> Defensive MVP - Xavier Newell <strong>Berkley</strong> The Bears were impressive this season going 6-3 with all 3 losses being by one possession or less. Another team that has not performed well in the past, Berkley shined, scratching and clawing their way to the bitter end before losing 19-13 in OT to Waterford Mott in the playoffs. Berkley had the #4 offense and #3 defense this season Offensive MVP - <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11157514">Jake Domzalski</a> Defensive MVP - <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11157526">Sean McKenzie</a> <strong>Farmington</strong> The Falcons were a team that came on just too late, narrowly missing the DII playoffs. Starting the season 0-5, their season looked grim, though they jumped into action winning their last 4. Moving from the White to the Blue this season was a big change for Farmington that proved to be a necessary one. Farmington posted the #2 offense and #4 defense in the league. Offensive MVP - <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/8190813">[player_tooltip player_id="30243" first="Jacob" last="Sanders"]</a> Defensive MVP - <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13220593">Aaren McCray</a> <strong>Avondale</strong> The Yellowjackets had a season very similar to last season- they started slow but seemed to piece things together as the season went on. This team had some high hopes that didn’t live up to expectations, as well as some lighting in a bottle instances that they can build off of. Avondale performed 5th in league offense and defense. I’m really looking forward to seeing how the young coaching staff is going to build off this season, as well as how some of the underclassmen step up next season. Offensive MVP - <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11127185">Gavin Betts</a> Defensive MVP - <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15074044">Denzel White</a> <strong>Athens</strong> Athens really fell apart after beginning the season 4-0. The Red Hawks just couldn’t get it done against the best the OAA Blue had to offer, though they got awfully close against crosstown rival Troy. This team seems to have a large graduation class, so it should be interesting to see who rises to the occasion next season. Athens ranked #2 in league offense and #6 in defense. Offensive MVP - <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10934307">Trey Vincent</a> Defensive MVP - <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10980478">Andre Shelton</a> <strong>Royal Oak</strong> Not a good season for Royal Oak as their only true win was week 1 against Ferndale (Pontiac FF). Not much else to say as most of their games weren’t competitive. A silver lining to this team is that they have lots of young talent coming up through the ranks. I’m looking forward to seeing Royal Oak’s offseason progress. Offensive MVP - <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12979821">Mekhi Jenkins</a> Defensive MVP - <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13128301">Jordan Wood</a> <strong>Ferndale</strong> This is a surprise as I had falsely expected this team to improve from last season. Not much worked for Fernale as both the offense and defense were really, really bad ranking 8th in offense and 7th in defense. Let’s just hope that Ferndale can improve come next season. Offensive MVP - <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15145203">Jabari McCune</a> Defensive MVP - <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11926168">Jordan Malone</a> <strong>Pontiac</strong> This is a difficult review to write just because of the low point Pontiac is in right now. Pontiac hasn’t won a game since week 1 of the 2018 season, but oh boy did they get close against Ferndale this season. I truly hope that Pontaic is able to pull some wins together in the coming years and really rebuild the program. Offensive MVP - <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16208975">Teveion Etchen</a> Defensive MVP - N/A