Buy Stock in these Two OAA Programs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking at the OAA, there are two teams that I feel are on the rise. One team that seems to eb and flow year after year, and another team that's been struggling significantly as of late. Here are the two OAA programs I'm buying stock in for the short and long term. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Birmingham Seaholm</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The definition of a team that does more with less. Nothing flashy about Seaholm Football. Practically everyone playing for Seaholm grew up in the community, watched The Maples growing up, and care deeply about carrying on the winning tradition. This program went through some growing pains in the mid-late 2010s, but ever since 2019, it's been an extremely reliable program. That 2019 season was a special semifinal run. Then, Seaholm fell back down to earth, going 1-8 in 2021. Fast forward to 2023, and Seaholm went right back to beating Groves and being a legit contender. They ran into an excellent Waterford Mott team in '23, but I thought they were every bit as good as their '19 squad. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season, Seaholm went 7-4. Considering the class of 2024 departures, I came away impressed with Seaholm's 2024 season. They absolutely reached their ceiling as a team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This season, I'd be surprised if they didn't win the OAA Blue. A returning QB, some returning weapons, and some promise on the defensive line. They've got some legit pieces who will likely be All-OAA players. It's going to come down to the role players. Last season, I thought the O-Line was below average to their standards. I also thought the defense showed promise, but good offenses were able to exploit them. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm buying stock in Seaholm this season. On paper, I see them improving from last season. I also see Groves taking a step back, making them a much more manageable rival and potential playoff matchup. Here's who'll be pushing the needle at Seaholm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DT/OL | [player_tooltip player_id='1298755' first='Max' last='Kruger']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>I'd argue that Max is the most important player on both sides of the ball.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>A potentially excellent senior leader. Has an opportunity to lead this team.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Excellent stuff on both sides of the ball. Impressed with Max's motor and physicality.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>If Max is at his best, this team is at it's best. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ATH | [player_tooltip player_id='1298735' first='Will' last='Forberg']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Really high upside speed-in-space player.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Promising contact balance.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Good vision. Home-run threat.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Looking for vast improvements on defense. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Should take another jump this season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB | Jack Hughes</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Returning QB in a Veer offense is always a good sign.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Reported to have improved significantly in pass game.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Faster and more athletic than Seaholm's usual QB.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Still needs to find more power this season. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>If Jack is taking care of the football, Seaholm is winning games.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bloomfield Hills</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The comeback starts now. Over the past few seasons, Bloomfield Hills has massively underperformed. Honestly, they were getting the brakes beaten off of them. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The hiring of Scott Merchant makes me extremely confident in this program's trajectory. Previously Chippewa Valley, Scott led a talented, year-in-year-out Division 1 contender. Chippewa Valley was not a team to mess with, and they were a consistent winner in one of Michigan's toughest leagues. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a long-term stock that I'm buying. Will Bloomfield Hills make the postseason this year? I wouldn't go that far. Will they show noticeable improvement? Absolutely. Give it a couple of years, and Bloomfield Hills should be back to competing with the best of the OAA White and Blue, with a long-term OAA Red trajectory. Here's who'll push Bloomfield Hills to success this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ATH | [player_tooltip player_id='1185143' first='Mason' last='Hitchcock']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>As high of a ceiling as anyone in the state</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Amazing size and length</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Will be an excellent offensive weapon, especially deep downfield.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Developing hands. If Mason can develop good hands and body control, he'll be an elite deep threat. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>High upside on defense. Will be a major factor. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Excited to see Mason's development this coming season. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB | Bryant Snyder</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Promising linebacker. Not afraid to get his nose dirty. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Decent IQ and has ability to get into backfield. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>A bit timid and fails to drive ballcarriers backwards.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Flashes some great stuff. Needs to play faster, more confidently. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>I can tell the IQ is there. Bryant just needs to up get after it. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Great potential at LB. Should be a good senior leader. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->