Top Week 4 Matchups in the OAA

It's week 4, and that means interleague matchups are in full swing! This week we have two matchups in each OAA League that I find very intriguing. These eight matchups will surely have massive implications on league titles as well as playoff points!   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Gold</h2>   (1-2) Ferndale @ (3-0) Avondale   This matchup will likely decide the league champion. Ferndale won this league last year, though they currently sit at 1-2 with their only "win" being a no contest forfeit against Pontiac. I know that there is a new coaching staff at Ferndale, but there's also a new staff at Avondale. If Ferndale wants to win this game, they'll have to defend the pass well while winning at the line of scrimmage.   The Yellowjackets are in a phenomenal spot right now. They sit at 3-0, coming off a decisive 35-0 league victory against Berkley. The Jackets have a few other decent wins against 2-1 Warren Cousino and 1-2 Brandon. The Jackets passing attack led by [player_tooltip player_id='216986' first='Tyler' last='Herzog'] should lead this team to victory.   (1-2) Royal Oak @ (2-1) Pontiac   Pontiac shockingly began the season 2-0 for the first time in what seems like an eternity. It's one of the most notable storylines of the entire season, and there were multiple players looking to make a name for themselves. Last week's forfeit against Ferndale is worrisome, as it reminds me of Pontiac teams of the past. It especially worries me that Pontiac had to forfeit a game that could have propelled them into first place in the Gold. Nonetheless, Pontiac is looking at a very winnable matchup against Royal Oak.   Royal Oak needs a win here. They're coming off a big loss to Troy, and their one win was against a similarly weak Taylor team. I'm hoping Royal Oak can grow into a respectable program in the OAA, and it could start with a good game against a rising Pontiac team.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Blue</h2>   (1-2) Troy Athens @ (0-3) North Farmington   Even though both teams have played three games, the identity of each team has yet to be determined. Troy Athens is at 1-2, though both of their two losses (Fraser and Oak Park) have been decided by one score. North Farmington on the other hand is 3-0 with losses to three incredibly strong teams (Seaholm, Caledonia, & Groves). So, especially for North Farmington, I have no idea what to expect from them for the rest of the season. It will be interesting to see which team comes out on top!   (3-0) Troy @ (1-2) Oak Park   This should be a good matchup. Give Troy some credit for being undefeated thus far, though their three wins have been against teams with a combined 1-8 record. On the other side, Oak Park is coming off a solid win against Troy Athens, though they have their sights aimed higher. This will be an excellent measuring stick matchup that will be huge in deciding playoffs.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">White</h2>   (2-1) Groves @ (3-0) Southfield A&T   This is one of the biggest games in all of Metro Detroit, and I know that Groves is hyping this game up quite a bit. The Falcons have been a rising team really ever since I was in high school attending Seaholm, and this team is coming off an impressive State Semifinal run. Still, Groves falls just short of the state powerhouse classification that Southfield has. Groves has had a ton of college talent over the past few years, with many of them contributing greatly at the D1 or DII levels. [player_tooltip player_id='899493' first='Avery' last='Gach'] headlines the current group as one of the most decorated linemen the OAA has ever seen. Other players such as QB [player_tooltip player_id='602122' first='Ryan' last='Counts'] and DB Zach Rogers will play pivotal roles in this matchup.   A&T has little to prove here, but don't be shocked if the final score is close. [player_tooltip player_id='77216' first='Isaiah' last='Marshall'] alongside [player_tooltip player_id='247706' first='Tashi' last='Braceful'] could do some major damage once again, while defensive players like [player_tooltip player_id='667460' first='Jalen' last='Todd'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1036563' first='Reggie' last='Gardner'] will be majorly disruptive. There are some people who believe this could be A&T's year to make a title run, and a win here would further silence the folks who thought they wouldn't be as strong.   (0-3) Bloomfield Hills @ (1-2) Farmington   Both of these teams still have a lot to prove in the ranks of the OAA White. Bloomfield hills has struggled, as they sit at 0-3, falling to a few strong teams. Farmington has taken some lumps as well, having lost a few matchups against Groves and Muskegon Reeths-Puffer. If I had to pick this game, I'd say that Farmington outmatches Bloomfield Hills, though this could go either way.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Red</h2>   (1-2) Clarkston @ (1-2) Stoney Creek   I expect this to be an awfully close matchup. Clarkston and Stoney creek have been two of the better programs in D1 over the past several years, and both have more than earned their right to play in the OAA Red. Thus far, both of these teams have gotten off to a less than stellar start at 1-2. Stoney has looked solid, though they've lost in 2-possession matchups against Harper Woods and West Bloomfield, while destroying Bloomfield Hills. Clarkston began the season at The Big House with a shocking loss against Northville, followed by a 3-point loss to Southfield, and an incredibly impressive win over Adams.   (3-0) West Bloomfield @ (3-0) Lake Orion   It's normal to see West Bloomfield succeed in the Red, but seeing Lake Orion sitting at 3-0? That's a great development. Led by running back [player_tooltip player_id='253269' first='Billy' last='Roberson II'], Lake Orion looks to ground and pound their way to an OAA Red championship. The Dragons have other good pieces that will be vital in securing an upset win here.   West Bloomfield is still a state powerhouse with several college-ready players. [player_tooltip player_id='249012' first='Reqez' last='Nance'] really impressed me during Week 1 against Chippewa Valley, which the majority of the receiving core having D1 offers as well. [player_tooltip player_id='80954' first='Brandon' last='Davis-Swain'] is a game-wrecking defensive end who will be great at Colorado, while the rest of their front 7 is extremely reactive and the secondary is solid. The battle in the trenches will be the most important aspect of this game, and I'm looking forward to seeing the final score!

It's week 4, and that means interleague matchups are in full swing! This week we have two matchups in each OAA League that I find very intriguing. These eight matchups will surely have massive implications on league titles as well as playoff points!