A Midseason Look at the OAA Red

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The OAA Red has been an absolute treat to watch this season. This is without a doubt the most competitive league in Michigan right now, and I could realistically see any of these five teams making a run at Ford Field. First, I'll start this article off with team stats, when I'll go into team-by-team analysis where I'll comment on each team and point out a few key players. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Post Week 5 Standings </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Team</strong></td><td><strong>W-L (League)</strong></td><td><strong>PF-PA (League) </strong></td><td><strong>W-L (Total)</strong></td><td><strong>PF-PA (Total)</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>1. Rochester Adams</strong></td><td>2-1</td><td>74-52 (+22) </td><td>4-1</td><td>124-73 (+51)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>2. Clarkston</strong></td><td>2-1</td><td>68-63 (+5)</td><td>3-2</td><td>144-98 (+46)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>3. Lake Orion</strong></td><td>1-1</td><td>46-46 (0) </td><td>4-1</td><td>141-72 (+69)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>4. Oxford</strong></td><td>1-1</td><td>36-41 (-5)</td><td>3-2</td><td>118-84 (+34)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>5. West Bloomfield</strong></td><td>0-2</td><td>34-56 (-22)</td><td>2-3</td><td>133-84 (+49)</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Team-by-team Analysis</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rochester Adams</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The numbers show that Adams is playing the best team football in the OAA Red. Although other teams in the league have more "college prospects," Adams has a clear identity, and they're running the Veer offense to near perfection. Having watched their 4th-quarter against West Bloomfield, I can confidently say they were the more poised, confident team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, let's take a look at a few players moving the needle for Adams</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>QB/LB | [player_tooltip player_id='566987' first='Ryland' last='Watters'] | <a href="https://x.com/RylandWatters">@RylandWatters</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Built in a Veer QB Factory</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Incredibly tough runner</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Always falls forward</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Great run defender</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Very reactive defender; future college LB/S</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Leader</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>DE | Liam Kania | <a href="https://x.com/liam_kania" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@liam_kania</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Quick getoff</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Great anchor</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Active hands &amp; great run defender</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Big plays in big situations</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Team Captain </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Clarkston</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clarkston is in an incredibly promising spot midway through the season. Through five weeks, Clarkston has already faced some of the best teams in Michigan. They got punched in the mouth in week one against Belleville and have since gone on to only lose to Adams while maintaining a +46 point differential. The Wolves never seem to be the biggest or most talented squad, but they are almost always the toughest and most well-coached. This team is, without a doubt, in the State Championship conversation. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are a few standout players for Clarkston</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>QB | [player_tooltip player_id='1317918' first='Alex' last='Waszczenko'] |<a href="https://x.com/AlexWaszczenko"> @AlexWaszczenko</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Thrown into the fire and has done phenomenal </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Great off-schedule playmaker</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Minimizes mistakes</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Gets ball out quickly when schemed correctly</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Expecting to see massive improvement throughout season</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Is the key to Clarkston's 2024 ceiling</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>ATH | [player_tooltip player_id='1316908' first='Griffin' last='Boman'] |<a href="https://x.com/GriffinBoman"> @GriffinBoman</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Embodies GRIT</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Can play just about any position</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Hard runner who always falls forward</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Great run stopper </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Impressive athletic testing numbers</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Clarkston's best "prospect"</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lake Orion</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Dragons season is still young, and they're about to go on a critical two-week stretch against West Bloomfield and Clarkston. The Week 4 loss against Oxford would have deflated a lesser team, but Lake Orion bounced back this week with a shocking 28-25 win over Adams. Over the past few seasons, it's apparent to me that Lake Orion's culture has completely shifted. This program is at a completely different point than they were when I was in High School from 2015-2019. If Lake Orion keeps on improving, they could find themselves at Ford Field in these next couple of seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>LB | [player_tooltip player_id='1613682' first='Alex' last='Hensley'] |<a href="https://x.com/AlexHensley_"> @AlexHensley_</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Hard-hitting Linebacker</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Excellent inside run stopper</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Great highlights thus far</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Seriously lays the wood on every tackle</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Decent athleticism; amazing effort</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>DB | Grady Harban | <a href="https://x.com/GradyHarban">@GradyHarban</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Rare DB who loves to stop the run</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Several highlights with incredible effort</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Quick to react</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Works hard to get past blocks and get to ballcarrier</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Big part of this great Lake Orion defense</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Oxford</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's no question that Oxford has taken a big step forward. Over the past few years, Oxford has struggled, but now, they're once again a very competitive team in the OAA Red. This is a team that I really want to watch in person, and I'll highly consider attending a game this season. This week, they gave Rochester a beatdown. Last week, they beat Lake Orion by a field goal. During week 3, they fell to Clarkston by just one score. This team has a lot of momentum heading into week 6, so let's see how they stack up against Adams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are two Oxford players that I have an eye on</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>K/P | [player_tooltip player_id='899642' first='Drew' last='Cady'] | <a href="https://x.com/DrewCady4">@DrewCady4</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>One of the most underrated and outright most valuable players in the OAA Red</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Touchback machine</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Can make big kicks that decide close games</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Great punter who can pin teams deep</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Seriously, an elite kicker is GAME CHANGING for any program</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>RB | [player_tooltip player_id='602107' first='Luke' last='Johnson'] | <a href="https://x.com/luke_johnson31">@luke_johnson31</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Has worked extremely hard for years for this senior season</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Hard runner with the speed to break explosive runs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Pure 3-down back</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Lethal stiff arm</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Explodes through holes</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>At times exceptional contact balance</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">West Bloomfield </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although West Bloomfield has struggled this season, the numbers tell a slightly different story. If you look at the stat table, West Bloomfield still has a +49 point differential, while a -22 point differential in league play could definitely be worse. But to address the obvious, West Bloomfield is the most talented OAA Red team on paper. From a glance, they have the most talented quarterback, the best offensive line, the best wide receiver group, and arguably the best running back. Something is not clicking with this team, and they need to fix it if they want to win the Red. On an optimistic note, their two OAA Red losses have been against Adams and Clarkston; the top-2 teams in terms of standings right now. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two players I'm watching</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>QB | [player_tooltip player_id='247643' first='Beau' last='Jackson'] | <a href="https://x.com/BeauJackson_11">@BeauJackson</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>An absolute cannon for an arm</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Already has phenomenal highlights</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Has the talent to make any throw in any situation</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Unsure about football IQ</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Unsure about quick game</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Also a proven dual-threat; true Power 4 potential</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>LB | [player_tooltip player_id='398394' first='Vegas' last='Seay'] | <a href="https://x.com/Vegas_Seay">@Vegas_Seay</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Has worked very hard over 4 years to start at WB</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Promising LB highlights showing a ton of improvement</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Solid run-stopper</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Decent lateral movement</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Always puts himself to aid an inside run stop</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->