Best Returners and Biggest Shoes to Fill in the OAA Blue
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The OAA Blue is officially revamped, and the schedules are mostly set. Now, we can look at this league as a whole and see where things currently stand. Here’s every team’s best returner, plus each team’s biggest shoes to fill!…
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Continue ReadingThe OAA Blue is officially revamped, and the schedules are mostly set. Now, we can look at this league as a whole and see where things currently stand. Here’s every team’s best returner, plus each team’s biggest shoes to fill! This league has a ton of very underrated talent, and I can’t wait to see it take the field in 2022.
Avondale
Best Returner: RT Deshawn Robinson
Biggest Shoes: SB Gavin Betts
Avondale has a real good shot at winning the revamped OAA Blue. They lose a few key pieces, such as Gavin Betts, a versatile 2-way star who made critical plays in critical moments last season. The Yellowjackets also lose their ’22 QB Jake Herzog Jake Herzog 6'2" | 180 lbs | QB Avondale | 2022 MI and their high-upside ’24, WR Eric Christoff Eric Christoff 5'7" | 145 lbs | ATH Avondale | 2024 State MI , due to transfer. Though, Deshawn Robinson has been dominating for years and is one of the most underrated stars in the state. He’s a 6’3″ tackle with two all-region nods plus two all-state honorable mentions. They also have an emerging star Linebacker, Myles Moore Myles Moore 6'0" | 200 lbs | ATH Avondale | 2024 State MI , who I’m confident will have a phenomenal year. Avondale’s talent set to start is fresh, high-potential, but primarily unproven at the Varsity level.
Berkley
Best Returner: QB Sunny Kadlitz Sunny Kadlitz 6'0" | 155 lbs | QB Berkley | 2024 State MI
Biggest Shoes: DT Sean McKenzie
This is the only other team I can see winning the Blue, and if I had to be honest, they’re the favorites to do so. Losing a force on your front seven is never fun, and Sean McKenzie will be some mighty shoes to fill. Though, the Bears have talent that seems to be developing quite well. Sunny Kadlitz Sunny Kadlitz 6'0" | 155 lbs | QB Berkley | 2024 State MI looks to be much improved from a few months ago as he’s performed well at camps, while RB Savod Daniels is a seriously good-looking prospect with D1 potential.
Ferndale
Best Returner: RB Jabari McCune
Biggest Shoes: DE Jordan Malone
It was not an ideal 2021 season for Ferndale. They couldn’t get it done against anyone, and frankly, they didn’t look good. Jordan Malone was a bright spot that will be missed, while Jabari McCune is a great-looking weapon who’s quite powerful.
Pontiac
Best Returner: N/A
Biggest Shoes: N/A
Winless since 2018, Pontiac has been looking for a GR Union-type of a comeback. I can’t speak on the state of Pontiac football, but all I know is that there is potential. I genuinely hope for nothing but the very best for this program, though it is truly an uphill battle.
Royal Oak
Best Returner: RB Mekhi Jenkins
Biggest Shoes: TE Jesse Hoisington Jesse Hoisington 6'5" | 250 lbs | TE Royal Oak | 2022 MI
Another program looking to turn things around, Royal Oak, has good talent they need to utilize. The loss of Jesse Hoisington Jesse Hoisington 6'5" | 250 lbs | TE Royal Oak | 2022 MI is difficult solely because of the things a Tight End can do for a High School offense. RB Mekhi Jenkins offers a great skillet that is truly college-level. This is a team with potential, and we’ll have to see if they put it together.