Best Returners & Biggest Shoes to Fill in the OAA Red

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Back with the Returners &amp; Shoes to Fill series! This time, we'll be taking a quick look at the OAA Red. The Red is one of the most talented and competitive leagues in Michigan, and it's always a joy to see how this league plays out. So, let's see what the OAA Red has to offer! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Clarkston</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Shoes to Fill - [player_tooltip player_id='243468' first='Ethan' last='Clark']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is no replacing [player_tooltip player_id='243468' first='Ethan' last='Clark']. I'll keep if brief here, but Ethan ran wild last season, breaking a multitude of records for the Wolves. He truly led the offense on the way to a Semifinal appearance. He will be sorely missed as he heads to Princeton, and I'm honestly unsure who the new bell-cow back will be.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Best Returner - [player_tooltip player_id='253268' first='Desman' last='Stephens II']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I freaking love Desman. He's a Divison 1 DB talent on defense and is a force in all 3 phases of the ball. Desman, without a doubt, will be my most anticipated Clarkston player in 2023. Love the upside, and the overall production. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Adams</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Shoes to Fill - [player_tooltip player_id='241265' first='Parker' last='Picot']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parker left a true legacy at Rochester Adams. The best Veer QB I've ever seen, Parker played with the heart of a Lion and had multiple legendary performances in the regular season and playoffs. In terms of intangibles and effort, Parker is elite. He is a huge piece of MI High School Football that will be missed as he pursues a Baseball career at Alabama. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Best Returner - [player_tooltip player_id='248962' first='Brady' last='Prieskorn'] </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A no-doubter, Brady is Adams's best returner. He's a consensus top-3 player in this draft and just committed to Michigan. The future Wolverine sports ideal size for a TE, and is all-around experienced in blocking and receiving. Excited to see what Brady is able to do this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">West Bloomfield</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Shoes to Fill - [player_tooltip player_id='162651' first='Semaj' last='Morgan']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Early-season Semaj was a contender for Mr. Football. Semaj is crazy athletic and was simply uncoverable. He was a cheat code for WB, and he will be sorely missed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Best Returner - [player_tooltip player_id='80954' first='Brandon' last='Davis-Swain']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A lot of best returner candidates (per usual for WB), but I gotta go with the proven Davis-Swain. This guy is a beast on the D-Line, sporting amazing size at 6'4 230lbs. I don't know many offensive lineman who are going to be able to contain Davis-Swain, and come playoff time; he'll be a difference-maker on defense, especially if they face a team like Cass Tech again. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lake Orion</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Shoes to Fill - James Patterson Jr</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>By all accounts, James Patterson Jr was a very productive player for the Dragons, as well as a true leader. James was a team captain, 4.0 GPA, Chior officer, and president of the Black Student Union. Great character guy and great on-field production that will be very missed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Best Returner - [player_tooltip player_id='253269' first='Billy' last='Roberson II']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I really like [player_tooltip player_id='253269' first='Billy' last='Roberson II'] and what he can provide this fall. He's got good acceleration, can make guys miss, and is a very north-south runner. Looking at his T&amp;F stats, I see he just ran an 11.57 100M, and he's consistently improving. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Stoney Creek</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Shoes to Fill - Jon Fogler</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An all-Region guy last year and a great weapon. A bit of a Swiss army knife that will need replacing. Stoney Creek has been good at developing their athletes, better than most other OAA programs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Best Returner - [player_tooltip player_id='227296' first='Jacob' last='Kropchak']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jacob is one of the best linemen in the Red and has consistently and considerably improved year after year. He'll once again anchor the O-Line, and he'll lead by example. I imagine a lot of people look up to Jacob in that locker room, and it's his time to be a senior leader!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Oxford</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Shoes to Fill - Cameron Jarrett</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cameron was a playmaker on both sides of the football. As a OLB, he totaled 48 tackles and hit very hard. On offense, he played a few positions and was reliable when needed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Best Returner - Sean Wilson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sean has been a 2-way starter since his Sophomore season. Playing DE and OL, you better bet Sean is physical and tough as nails. I love his motor and overall workload, especially for a D1 school facing top competition. You better bet Sean will be a 2-way starter once again, and I'd love to see some senior leadership from him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->