Pivotal Week 3 Matchups in the OAA
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The OAA is soon kicking off league play! This means competitive matchups, league championships, and ax-sharpening for the playoffs. This week features six games that I am quite excited for from the OAA Gold all the way up to the…
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Continue ReadingThe OAA is soon kicking off league play! This means competitive matchups, league championships, and ax-sharpening for the playoffs. This week features six games that I am quite excited for from the OAA Gold all the way up to the OAA Red.
(2-0) Avondale vs. (0-2) Berkley
The OAA Gold seems to be a lot more competitive than previously anticipated. This early-season league matchup will likely have gigantic consequences for the end-of-season league standings. Last season at this time, Avondale and Berkley were considered to be the favorites in the Gold until Ferndale came out of nowhere to shock the league. Now, Avondale is the head-to-head favorite with a few wins under their belt with an awesome group of seniors. Don’t count Berkley out though, as they’ve handed Avondale in recent years past.
(2-0) Pontiac vs. (0-2) Ferndale
Pontiac being 2-0 is one of the biggest stories of the season so far. Honestly, I’m also surprised that Ferndale is 0-2 thus far. Still, all eyes are on Pontiac to see if they’d be able to knock off the defending league champs. I don’t know either of these teams too well. So I can’t comment much on potential standouts, but I’ll surely have a close eye on this final score.
(1-1) Seaholm vs. (0-2) North Farmington
The Maples and The Raiders have developed somewhat of a rivalry over the past few years. Yet again, this will be a game with major league and playoff implications. Seaholm’s reputation is still a bit up in the air. The win against Bloomfield Hills left no question, but their loss against an improved UD Jesuit team may have exposed some weaknesses. How will the Maples season compare to last year’s regular-season success? Seniors such as Kyle Robbins Kyle Robbins 6'2" | 190 lbs | ATH Seaholm | 2024 State MI , Colton Kinnie Colton Kinnie 6'2" | 225 lbs | QB Seaholm | 2024 State MI , Granden Kinnie Granden Kinnie 6'1" | 220 lbs | RB Seaholm | 2024 State MI , Sean Emerson Sean Emerson 5'8" | 180 lbs | ATH Seaholm | 2024 State MI , and Luke Thurswell will be paramount for a league victory here. As for North Farmington, they’ve started out the season 0-2, but they’ve played the D1 Runner-Up (Caledonia) and a D2 semifinalist (Groves), a grueling start. Thankfully, Cal and Groves are incredible games to get accustomed to the physicality of Seaholm. QB Ryan Shelby Ryan Shelby QB North Farmington | 2024 State MI will be the X-Factor in this one. I’m also looking to see DT/DE Brendon Rice Brendon Rice 6'3" | 275 lbs | DL North Farmington | 2025 State MI get some penetration against the Maple O-Line.
(1-1) Groves vs. (1-1) Farmington
New to the OAA White, Farmington has an infinitely more difficult road ahead than they did last season. They’ve started out the season 1-1, with an easy win over Ford followed by west-side loss against the ever-improving Muskegon Reeths-Puffer. This matchup against Groves serves as an opportunity to cement themselves in the White. Cameron Pettaway Cameron Pettaway 5'10" | 165 lbs | ATH Farmington | 2024 State MI is due for a sensational game, while other upper-classmen will need to step up to defeat the Falcons.
Groves on the other hand is 1-1 with a solid win against North Farmington and an expected loss to powerhouse West Bloomfield. Since Groves clawed their way to the state semifinals last season, they’re the definite favorites in this one. I don’t know enough about this year’s Groves team, though I expect to see a strong front 7 with playmakers at DB and WR.
(0-2) Bloomfield Hills vs. (0-2) Rochester
Both of these teams are looking to get in the win column following a rough start to the season. Bloomfield Hills began the season getting outmatched by Seaholm, then went on to get pounced on by Stoney Creek. On the other side, Rochester suffered another heartbreaking loss to Utica before getting demolished by rival Adams. Both teams coming off decisive losses, the question is how each will bounce back. Backs against the wall with playoff implications, I’m curious to see how this one eventually pans out.
(0-2) Clarkston vs. (2-0) Rochester Adams
If you want to see high-level football against two great programs, you’ve got it here. Clarkston and Adams have been atop the OAA Red for the past few seasons, and this will no doubt have major league implications. Clarkston opened the season at The Big House when they were upset by a rowdy Northville squad, but bounced back when narrowly losing 20-17 against Southfield A&T- who just defeated Cass Tech during week 1. The Wolves of course replace many key positions due to a strong 2023 class, so it’s my hope that the A&T game allowed them to get comfortable before the ever-important league matchups. Adams is a team that seems to be staying amongst the top of D1, even without several key players from their 2021 title run and their 2022 OAA Red League win. Ryland Watters Ryland Watters 6'2" | 205 lbs | ATH Rochester Adams | 2026 State MI has taken the reigns to the Veer offense and he’s executed tremendously. I’m also looking forward to seeing the elite TE matchup between Michigan commit Brady Prieskorn Brady Prieskorn 6'6" | 230 lbs | TE Rochester Adams | 2024 State MI and Indiana commit Brody Kosin Brody Kosin 6'6" | 225 lbs | TE Clarkston | 2024 State MI .