Top Week 1 Matchups in the OAA Red
The 2023 High School Football season kicks off eight days from today, and it’s now time for some large-scale game previews. The OAA is one of the premier conferences in Metro Detroit, and this conference houses many potential State Championship…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe 2023 High School Football season kicks off eight days from today, and it’s now time for some large-scale game previews. The OAA is one of the premier conferences in Metro Detroit, and this conference houses many potential State Championship teams. This article will go over seven of the biggest games in the OAA Red!
Thursday, August 24
West Bloomfield vs. Chippewa Valley
(Xenith Kickoff Classic @ Wayne State)
This is undoubtedly one of the top games of week one! Both West Bloomfield and Chippewa Valley are considered State Championship hopefuls, and both schools house excellent college talent. There is no doubt that these teams will both make the postseason, so this serves as a great measuring stick game for both programs.
West Bloomfield has an elite defensive front seven and an elite group of athletes. Brandon Davis-Swain Brandon Davis-Swain 6'4" | 230 lbs | DL West Bloomfield | 2024 State MI , Montele Johnson, and Kari Jackson Kari Jackson 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB West Bloomfield | 2024 State MI are all players with Division 1 talent. Joshua Tillman, Elisha Durham Elisha Durham 6'1" | 150 lbs | WR West Bloomfield | 2025 State MI , and Kamren Flowers Kamren Flowers 6'0" | 170 lbs | WR West Bloomfield | 2025 State MI round out a complimentary group of receivers.
Chippewa Valley may have an even better group of weapons. QB Andrew Schuester has blown up this offseason and looks like a DII lock at the very least. The speedy Rayshaun Hester Rayshaun Hester 5'11" | 160 lbs | ATH Chippewa Valley | 2024 State MI heads into his senior season and should be a phenomenal two-way player. Deshaun Lanier Deshaun Lanier 5'11" | 165 lbs | WR Chippewa Valley | 2025 State MI is truly one of the best athletes in the state, and he’s a true gamebreaker. There’s no doubt this is going to be a game with a ton of fireworks!
Friday, August 25
Adams @ OLSM
I can’t wait to see how this one plays out! These two teams are expected to be extremely strong this season. Adams is coming off of a few great years, though they have some major shoes to fill due to 2023 graduates. OLSM has been a team that’s stacked when it comes to younger talent, and they’ll have a chance to showcase their skills here.
Adams is headlined by the #1 Tight End in the entire country, Brady Prieskorn Brady Prieskorn 6'6" | 230 lbs | TE Rochester Adams | 2024 State MI . He’s a guy who’s worked tirelessly to build himself into one of the top prospects in the country and the #1 prospect in Michigan. Ryland Watters Ryland Watters 6'2" | 205 lbs | ATH Rochester Adams | 2026 State MI is the new QB for Adams and will need to play good mistake-free football in the veer offense.
OLSM is headlined by Sophomores Landon DePew, Jack Janda Jack Janda 6'5" | 220 lbs | TE Detroit Catholic Central | 2026 State MI , Kareem Pruitt Kareem Pruitt 6'1" | 160 lbs | DB St. Mary's | 2026 State MI , and many others. They also have some incredible Juniors like Darrin Jones Jr Darrin Jones Jr 6'0" | 200 lbs | RB Orchard Lake St. Mary's | 2025 State MI . and Bryson Williams Bryson Williams 6'2" | 195 lbs | ATH Orchard Lake St. Mary's | 2025 State MI .
Saturday, August 26
Southfield A&T vs. Cass Tech
(Xenith Kickoff Classic @ Wayne State)
Lastly, we have the game of the week. Southfield A&T and Cass Tech met up during week 1 of last season, and we were treated to an incredible back-and-forth game which ended with A&T winning 58-56. With the talent on both teams, I would not be surprised if this game was similar to last season.
A&T is headlined by Kansas QB Commit Isaiah Marshall Isaiah Marshall 6'0" | 210 lbs | QB Southfield A&T | 2024 State MI , who torched Cass Tech last season. Davier Burt is a highly-touted RB that could perform super well this season. Jalen Todd Jalen Todd 6'1" | 170 lbs | DB Southfield A&T | 2024 State MI headlines the defense as he’s a sensational defensive back, also committed to Kansas.
Cass Tech is considered to be the #2 team in Division 1 behind Belleville. Corey Sadler Corey Sadler 5'10" | 170 lbs | ATH Cass Tech | 2026 State MI Jr is the #1 player in the 2026 class and he’s debuting as Cass Tech’s QB. They also have an elite offensive line with guys like Michigan offered Kaleif Canty Jr and Star Center Jaylen Washington Jaylen Washington 6'3" | 270 lbs | OL Cass Tech | 2024 State MI . There are countless names I could talk about, but just know this is an elite program.