Can Rochester Adams Strike Gold again?
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Rochester Adams was the cinderella of the 2021 season. After going 3-5 in 2020, nobody expected Rochester Adams to steamroll West Bloomfield during week 1, win the OAA Red, and make their first State Championship since the early 2000s. Last…
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Continue ReadingRochester Adams was the cinderella of the 2021 season. After going 3-5 in 2020, nobody expected Rochester Adams to steamroll West Bloomfield during week 1, win the OAA Red, and make their first State Championship since the early 2000s. Last year’s team was remarkable, and this year could be similar with a significant amount of returning talent with a few question marks due to 2021 graduates. In this Preview, I’ll list Adam’s last five seasons, discuss players to watch, list a few hurdles they need to jump and outline critical regular-season matchups.
Last 5 Seasons
2017: 9-2, 2nd-Round L vs. Utica Eisenhower
2018: 6-4, 1st-Round L vs. Lakeland
2019: 7-3, 1st-Round L vs. Utica Eisenhower
2020: 3-5, 2nd-Round elimination vs. Davison*
2021: 14-1, State Championship L vs. Belleville
Players to Watch
QB Parker Picot Parker Picot 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Rochester Adams | 2023 State MI
A player of the year finalist in 2021, Parker Picot Parker Picot 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Rochester Adams | 2023 State MI set the High School Football scene ablaze with his play. He’s a unique talent, being a Veer QB committed to Alabama for Baseball. Picot performed exceptionally well in the Veer system, as he didn’t turn the ball over, made great reads, and ran like a freight train. He’s a highly competitive kid who will again have a lot of eyes on him.
TE Brady Prieskorn Brady Prieskorn 6'6" | 230 lbs | TE Rochester Adams | 2024 State MI
One of the best Tight End prospects in the country, Brady Prieskorn Brady Prieskorn 6'6" | 230 lbs | TE Rochester Adams | 2024 State MI , had received dozens of Power-5 offers this offseason. He’s perfect for the Veer system, as he gets excellent reps blocking and receiving. Prieskorn will be a nightmare this coming season, and he could post as many pancakes as he does touchdowns.
SB/DB Dj Greer
With some vital defensive losses, Adams needs a few guys to step up. Greer could be that guy as he’s decently athletic but fundamentally very fluent. He’s not the fastest player in the world, running the same 100M time as I did in High School at a 12.87, but he hits top speed fast and, again, has the fundamentals to do great. Greer is one of the players that will play a more prominent role on both sides of the ball, and it’s ultimately players like Greer that will dictate the future of this team.
Hurdles to Jump
Expectations
The pressure is as high as ever for Rochester Adams as they went to their first state championship since the early 2000s. Playing in the OAA Red, Adams faces elite teams on a week-to-week basis. Their schedule is demanding, and I worry about their confidence if they drop a few games early on.
West Bloomfield
If Adams is going to make another State Championship, they’ll more than likely face West Bloomfield twice. This is precisely what happened last season, as Adams shocked the world with their week 1 victory, then had a gritty playoff win against the Lakers to send them to the semifinals. West Bloomfield is a State Championship contender every year, and if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.
Important Matchups
Week 2 vs. Rochester
Adams has held control of the crosstown rivalry, but Rochester has some significant talent of their own. Adams will be favored, but this could be an early-season trap game.
Week 5 vs. West Bloomfield
This is the biggest regular-season game of the year. Adams defeated the Lakers twice last season, but not without significant resistance. West Bloomfield, on paper, looks like a state championship team, and Adams needs to bring their A-Game.
Week 7 vs. Stoney Creek
Not only is this a rivalry game, but it’s an interleague game. This matchup could play a significant role in playoff seeding and overall team confidence.
Week 9 vs. Sterling Heights Stevenson
Adams needs to end the season strong against a 2021 semifinalist. Stevenson is an excellent team that seldom gets blown out, and you can almost guarantee this to be a great matchup.