Season Recap: Rochester Adams

Introduction Rochester Adams is a team that I began closely following since their dominant week 4 victory against Rochester, and I kept close tabs on this team all the way up until their state championship loss to Belleville. Adams seemingly blew up out of nowhere, beginning their season with a shocking win over West Bloomfield, then climbing the rankings week after week, being undefeated going into the state championship game. It was a truly incredible season for the Highlanders, and this was a truly special team that will be remembered for a long time. A Historic Season Rochester Adams has had the reputation of being a great, but not elite program over the years. Having been in the OAA White for quite a while, Adams has stayed very competitive with only 2 losing seasons since 2013, though 0 times were they regional champs in that span, until this season. Adams finally got over that hump that so many teams have trouble with, and that is winning in the playoffs. Now, because of this state championship run, they have the momentum as a program to reach even greater heights. No run like this could be possible without great players, coaches, and a strong community. Let’s take a look at those factors now. Coaching [caption id="attachment_242821" align="alignright" width="256"]<img class="wp-image-242821 " src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/IMG-3195.jpg" alt="" width="256" height="268" /> Photo: Jason Crenson, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RochesterAdamsFootballForever/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adams Football</a>[/caption] Head Coach Tony Patritto is the winningest coach in Adams history having been with Adams since their 2003 championship season. In fact, he has 149 wins under his tenure which is more than every coach in Adams history combined. He’s one of the longest-standing coaches in Michigan having been at Adams since I was 2 years old, and his Adams career is older than most, if not all of his athletes. Patritto can be seen sporting Khakis, a white dress shirt, and a gold tie to each game, making him one of the most formal and well-dressed coaches out there. Adams is also coached by Defensive Coordinator Mark MacFarland, who was named Assistant Coach of the Year by the Coaches Association back in 2019. Other coaches include Scott Sawyer, Josh Heppner, Jamie Jackson, Tom Roncelli, Tom Offer, Jeff Schmitz, Jeff Springer, Mark Patritto, Chris Tillotson, Jason Battershell, and Tony Mikulec. Magic of the Veer Offense Patritto runs the Veer offense, a triple-option run it down your throat old school offense. The Veer is a vital part of the Adams culture and offseason, as there is an annual overnight weekend-long Veer camp with schools around the state such as Seaholm, Muskegon, and others. Having played for Seaholm and having attended Veer camp back in 2015 and 2016, I can tell you it was much harder than any two-a-days, but man oh man as long as the culture isn’t rotten, a weekend like that can really bring a team together. I have a feeling that Veer camp and other offseason activities really drew the team closer, and this made running the perfect Veer offense possible. I witnessed the Veer being run to perfection in Adams semifinal matchup against Grand Blanc. Adams ran it and ran it, chewing the clock and controlling the pace of the game on an extremely cold afternoon with freezing rain. As the Veer does, it kept Grand Blanc’s offense off the field, as their bodies became cold and muscles got tight, resulting in panicked, uncoordinated play whenever they had a chance on offense. This strategy also made the opposing defense incredibly upset. Running it down their throat for only about 4-5 yards per carry with the occasional surprise pass, the Grand Blanc defense grew incredibly frustrated and tired as the clock dwindled. The Players #11 QB [player_tooltip player_id="241265" first="Parker" last="Picot"] The Alabama Baseball commit exploded onto the scene this year earning all-state honors alongside Rockford’s [player_tooltip player_id="54861" first="Zak" last="Ahern"]. Though, unlike Ahern, Picot’s football talent is still incredibly underappreciated. Picot is everything you’d want in a veer quarterback. A leader, Selfless, smart, quick-thinking, calm under pressure, incredibly hard runner, and a viable passer. Without Picot, I honestly don’t think Adams could have won some of their big games. Here’s Belleville Head Coach Jermain Corwell with high praise for Picot, and other players on Adams. https://youtu.be/jFD8IkljrfE If we’re going by what Picot did on the field, his performance can be compared to the likes of Ahern, Moore, and other great QB’s with big-time offers. #79 DE/T <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/9810401">[player_tooltip player_id="164642" first="Alex" last="DeGrieck"]</a> [caption id="attachment_242833" align="alignright" width="327"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/IMG-3197-crop-971x638-1638424806.jpg"><img class="wp-image-242833 " src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/IMG-3197-crop-971x638-1638424806.jpg" alt="" width="327" height="215" /></a> Photo: Jason Crenson <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RochesterAdamsFootballForever/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adams Football</a>[/caption] Degrieck was a captain this season and a difference-maker on the Adams defense. The Harvard Football commit seemed to play better the more important the situation was as he often came up with big tackles for loss or sacks in close games down the stretch. He has a nasty combination of speed and power where he can be seen running right past tackles, then the very next play driving the same lineman back 5 yards. The Captian provided a sense of leadership for the defense and will be sorely missed as he continues his amazing academic and football career at Harvard. #3 DB/WR <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11569423/Christian-Schomer">Christian Schomer </a> As Crowell said, #3 can play. Schomer was incredibly impressive against Grand Blanc, a team that torched Rockford's defense the week prior. Schomer played flawless man coverage and displayed excellent technique, speed, and DB fundamentals with a pick and multiple tipped passes. Offensively, Schomer can get it done with exceptional route running and again, speed. He also had an excellent offensive performance in the state championship game. #4 RB/WR/DB/OLB <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11563839/Marco-DiCresce">Marco DiCresce</a> Another team captain, DiCresce had an incredible season on offense as a back/WR, and on defense as an OLB/DB. Defensively, DiCresce racked up an insane 93 tackles, 2 interceptions, 5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and 3 pass breakups. He showed stellar awareness and speed, plus he wasn’t afraid to hit hard. On the offensive end, he scored 6 touchdowns on the year as he was a vital veer read. #13 SB/DB/KR <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11638193/Joey-Shallow">Joey Shallow</a> <img class="wp-image-242839 alignleft" style="font-size: 1rem;" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/IMG-3203-1.jpg" alt="" width="204" height="195" />   Last but not least, Shallow was another senior Captian. Shallow was very versatile on offense, scoring 7 touchdowns on the year as a veer opinion and a receiver who averaged 24 yards per catch. Shallow had over 600 all-purpose yards on the year, with at least 350 of those being rushing yards. Defensively, Shallow posted 24 tackles with an interception and forced fumble. Shallow displays quickness, great hands, and an overall high level of competitiveness. He was a catalyst for this team.   The Community The community supported this team the whole way, though and through. The support at their semifinal matchup was incredible, with students, parents, alumni, etc coming out to cheer on and support the squad. At the state championship game, the crowd was one of the largest out of any team, as they had a massive student section with an even more massive amount of other supporters cheering them on. They were also backed by photographers Kimberly Vokal and Jason Crenson, who I have been fortunate enough to meet, and use their photos throughout the season. Having met them at the Grand Blanc game, they were the most inviting and lively people I’ve met on the sidelines all season.<img class="wp-image-242835 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/IMG-3198.jpg" alt="" width="387" height="258" /> Looking Ahead The big question is if Adams can repeat what they did this season. They have lots of athletes graduating, but the team MVP in [player_tooltip player_id="241265" first="Parker" last="Picot"] will be returning for his senior season. Big coaching turnover doesn’t seem likely, but it’s always possible. Other than that, Adams looks to be at worst near the top of the OAA White once again next season, and at best back at Ford Field. I’m excited to see what the Rochester Adams Highlanders can do in the future.