Rams humble Dragons in State Finals in three games.

Written Saturday November 19th at 7:52 PM

It wasn't a story book ending for the Dragons volleyball team hoped for on Saturday.

The second ranked Rockford Rams (60-9) used it's size and firepower to beat the seventh ranked Dragons in three games 25-21, 25-23, 25-10 in the Class A State volleyball finals at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek on Saturday afternoon.

The Rams out killed the Dragons 49-27 which proved to be a huge difference.

The Rams held the Dragons major players in check holding them to under four kills. Dragons senior Liz Kalugar played her worse game of the season, only being limited to three kills. Junior Sophie Murdock had four kills. Senior Shannon Murdock was the only bright spot she had 13 kills to lead the Dragons.

The Dragons finished the volleyball season at 54-13-3, which was the best in team history. Lake Orion had a great run in the state tournament by eliminating three state ranked teams (Birmingham Marian (No. 3), Macomb Dakota (No. 6), and Clarkston (No.4)

Next season it could be possible that the Dragons volleyball program could be back in Battle Creek despite losing eight seniors. "We made it to the final day. That’s something to be a proud of. No team from our league has been able to that," Dragons Coach Bob Howey said to reporters about being the first team from the OAA to be in the state finals in the conference."We had a great group of girls. We set the bar."

Class A Preview State Finals.

Written Friday November 18th at 12:47 AM

The State Finals are set and the match up has been announced. Anyway here is the prediction the Dragons Den is going with this game.

#7. Lake Orion vs. #2. Rockford: This is usually a football state final, it happened in 2008 with the Rams beating the Dragons 26-14 at Ford Field. This time it will be on the volleyball court. This will be the first time that both teams are in the state finals for volleyball. Both the Dragons and the Rams are senior heavy teams (Lake Orion: eight seniors, Rockford: seven seniors.)

Rockford is 2-1 this season against Lake Orion. Both teams played in Wixom in the East/West showcase when the Rams beat the Dragons earlier in the season. Rockford and Lake Orion then played in a tournament a few weeks later in Kalamazoo County in the Portage Central Invitational. The Dragons won the pool play match but the Rams got revenge in the final over a tired and exhausted Dragons team (whom had to play four consecutive games in a row) that day in Portage.

Rockford is a big in size, athletic, and feature multiple weapons that they can show on the court. The Rams are led by two division one recruits in senior middle hitter Andrea Kacsits and senior setter Halle Peterson. Kacsits is going to be a Buckeye next fall and is one of the finalists in the Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year award. Peterson is a future Spartan for volleyball next fall and is also a dangerous player.

Rockford does have other players besides Peterson and Kacsits that are very capable as well in senior's Jessica Majerle, Jennifer VanCuren, Murphy Heyer, Rachel Henry, and Sidney Rodriguez. The path the Rams has took has not been strong though with some of the west side schools are down this season. Rockford has wins over two state ranked teams to get to the championship game. The Rams beat the ninth ranked Richland Gull Lake Blue Devils in four games in the State Quarterfinals Tuesday night in Caledonia. Rockford beat the tenth ranked Temperance Bedford Kicking Mules in three games 25-22, 25-14, 25-20 on Thursday night at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek.

Lake Orion meanwhile also has multiple weapons to feature on the court as well. The Dragons are led by the Murdock sisters, senior Shannon Murdock and junior Sophie Murdock but that is not all they have. The Dragons have capable players that can give havoc like they have all season long in senior's Taylor Hargraves, Angelica LeDonne, Maddie Hutchinson, Gwen Motley, Liz Kalugar, Dana Schrauben, and Kristina Hill. Junior Melanie Heath is a threat to score from the outside and sophomore Gabby Kalugar can get an ace or two. Besides a murderous regular season the Dragons have played this season(teams included were fourth ranked Clarkston, Birmingham Seaholm, top ranked Farmington Hills Mercy, third ranked Birmingham Marian, ninth ranked Richland Gull Lake, tenth ranked Temperance Bedford, second ranked in Class B Fruitport, among others.)

The Dragons path in the playoffs has been a adventure of brutality. Lake Orion beat four state ranked teams to get into the championship game. The Dragons beat third ranked Birmingham Marian in the regional semifinals on their home floor in four games. On Tuesday night the Dragons went into Macomb County and St. Clair Shores Lake Shores and beat the sixth ranked Macomb Dakota Cougars in five games. On Thursday night at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek Lake Orion gained revenge on arch rival and the OAA Red Champion the fourth ranked Clarkston Wolves 25-17, 16-25, 25-16, and 25-22 in four games.

For Rockford to win: The Rams do have the star power and notoriety especially with Peterson and Kacsits, their two Big Ten recruits along with others. If the Rams get going with the size advantage Rockford that has then Lake Orion is in trouble. Geographically favors Rockford, they could bring in the numbers from Kent County on down into Calhoun County but the problem could be it's fan base. The Rams fan base will likely be split in the Battle Creek area between Kellogg Arena and Battle Creek Central, (Rockford's football team plays Novi Detroit Catholic Central on Saturday at 1:00 PM at Battle Creek Central while the volleyball game is at 2:00 PM.) The Rams will try and use it's size to beat the Dragons and if they do then they could win it's first state title in volleyball.

For Lake Orion to win: The Dragons clearly has the team aspect believing in each other and not all on one person. Lake Orion needs to limit the mistakes, play smart, don't make any service errors, force Rockford into making service errors, and use the Rams size against them. The Dragons need to keep the ball away from the two Big Ten recruits, execute on offense, and play strong defense. The Dragons need Liz Kalugar, Shannon Murdock, and Sophie Murdock to kill the ball like they have been doing all season long and not make mistakes. If they are on their game then the Dragons could win it's first state title in volleyball. Lake Orion needs it's fans to be loud and vocal, like they were against Clarkston on Thursday night.

Pick: This has 15-13 written all over it but the team that has had the most difficult path to the State Finals will win this one in a wild finish. PICK: #7. LAKE ORION IN FIVE.

Dragons gain revenge, eliminate Wolves from playoffs. Await Rams for the crown.

Written Friday November 18th at 12:34 AM

In the terms of the late Randy "Macho Man" Savage. "Oh Revenge is Sweet"

Revenge was the term the Dragons volleyball team had in mind.

The seventh ranked Dragons put the hammer to the medal on Thursday night in the MHSAA Class A State semifinals in Battle Creek as they defeated the fourth ranked Wolves 25-17, 16-25, 25-16, and 25-22. The Dragons made up for that loss on October 18th when the Wolves beat the Dragons in five games on Seniors night in Lake Orion.

"This is so much better. Obviously, we could care less about our league championship now. We’re going to the STATE championships. It’s like such a bigger deal than leagues. It’s awesome," Lake Orion senior Shannon Murdock said to reporters. "Every single game that we win, just feels so much better, because we’re that much closer to winning states. And we just have one game left, and hopefully, we can pull it out."

Lake Orion is now 54-12-3 will now advance and face the second ranked Rockford Rams (59-8) on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 PM for the Class A State Championship at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek. The second ranked Rams behind two Big Ten recruits swept the tenth ranked Temperance Bedford Kicking Mules in three games 25-22, 25-14, 25-20. The Dragons are the first team in the Oakland Activities Association to have a chance at a State Championship in volleyball. Ferndale was the last team to do so in 1976 but the Eagles weren't a member of the OAA. The OAA was formed in 1994.

Dragons Coach Bob Howey along with his staff dressed up in shirt and ties for the match up with Clarkston will likely wear it again on Saturday. "I've said this before, but at the end of last year, we knew we had a special group coming back. And we talked about what we could accomplish with that, and the rest of the team," Howey said to reporters. "This was our goal, and we've made it this far although I don’t think anyone thinks we’ve reached the final goal yet.

Rockford is 2-1 against the Dragons this season The Dragons and Rams have played each other in two tournaments. The first one was in the East/West showcase in Wixom. Rockford won that showdown but most notably both teams met in the Portage Central tournament in Portage. The Dragons won the pool play match over the Rams but Rockford won the tournament by beating Orion in the finals of that tournament. "They are 1-2 against us so I think it’s our turn again," Howey added to reporters about facing Rockford again.

In the first set the Dragons controlled tempo. They dominated the Wolves early by going up 16-8 then Clarkston and Lake Orion went 9-9 in the frame. The Dragons outplayed the Wolves winning 25-17, giving the Dragons a 1-0 lead.

In the second set it was role reversal. The Wolves dominated the Dragons early by going on a 6-2 run. Orion answered by tying the score up 9-9. However the Wolves responded by going on a 16-7 run to close out the second set 25-16 tying the set 1-1.

In the third set the Dragons controlled the game by going on a 6-1 run. At one point the score got out of hand that the Dragons led 20-10. Lake Orion won the third game 25-16, the win gave the Dragons a 2-1 lead.

The fourth set was drama, Clarkston built a 7-4 lead then Lake Orion answered by overcoming a 17-15 lead and taking a 20-18 lead. However the Wolves answered by taking a 21-20 lead before Howey called a timeout. After the timeout the Dragons rolled after that, outscoring Clarkston 5-1, taking the match in four games.

The Dragons were led by senior Liz Kalguar's 16 kills and 19 digs. Junior Sophie Murdock had 11 kills and six blocks. Sophie's older sister Shannon had 14 kills. Seniors Dana Schrauben (29 assists) and Gwen Motley (23 assists) combined for 52 assists on the night and senior liberio Maddie Hutchinson had 45 digs to lead the green attack.

The Wolves (56-6) were led by senior liberio Maddie Lightfoot who had 31 digs while junior Kaley Konjarevich added 13 kills for the blue and yellow.

"I just feel like Orion was on top of their match. They rarely made mistakes, and when they did, they didn’t make mistake upon mistake. They made one mistake, and then they’d answer back with five great attacks at us," Clarkston coach Kelly Avenall said to reporters. "They brought all their firepower tonight. Swinging hard. We struggled to pass, and when we could pass, we struggled to attack. It just wasn’t a good combination for us tonight, playing down, and them playing up. It was tough."

The Dragons live on and play another day on Saturday. Tonight the Dragons earned revenge now they have a chance to be the best team in the state.

Class A Preview State Semifinals.

Written Wednesday November 16th at 11:25 AM

These are the previews from the Dragons Den for the Class A State Volleyball semifinals, not the finals yet but it should be interesting. All games are Thursday night.

#7. Lake Orion vs #4. Clarkston: 7:15 PM. Both of these teams came off five dramatic games. The Dragons at St. Clair Shores Lake Shore over #6. Macomb Dakota and Clarkston over #5. Plymouth Canton. This match up is a good one, both have very strong and good players. The Dragons should be well motivated for this one after what happened on October 18th when the Wolves stunned the Dragons on Seniors night in Lake Orion in a five game thriller for the OAA Red championship. The Dragons should be well motivated and able to gain revenge but it will be another classic of two arch rivals. PICK: #7. LAKE ORION IN 5.

#10. Temperance Bedford vs #2. Rockford: 5:30 PM. Everything has been going well for Rockford sports lately with the Rams in the State semis for football (play Novi-Detroit Catholic Central on Saturday at Battle Creek Central and volleyball. The Kicking Mules have had an easy path to the state semifinals including a four game win over Livonia Stevenson on Tuesday. Rockford won over #9 Richland Gull Lake on Tuesday in four games. The Rockford fan base will be divided if the Rams get to the State finals on Saturday. The Rams have played a tougher schedule and their path to the playoffs has been much tougher, got to go with the Rams in this one. PICK: #2. ROCKFORD IN 4.

Dragons punch first ever ticket to Battle Creek, defeat Cougars in five games. Play the arch rival Wolves in Battle Creek next.

Written Tuesday November 15th at 11:56 PM

The Lake Orion Dragons theme this season is "Refuse to Lose."

With the fans from Macomb County, the referees, most from Macomb County were against them. It seemed like everything was against them and lets not add to the fact that the Dragons were down two sets to none to the Macomb Dakota Cougars heading into the third game.

People would originally thought that the Dragons would panic, fold, and prepare for next year but this isn't your ordinarily team, this team is something special.

The seventh ranked Dragons (53-12-3) went on and defeated the sixth ranked and Co Macomb Area Conference Red Division champion Cougars (32-13-2 and shared the MAC red championship with Marysville) in a five game thriller 26-28, 21-25, 25-14, 25-22, and 15-13 in the Class A State quarterfinals at Lake Shore in St. Clair Shores.

The Dragons now advance to the Kellogg Center in Battle Creek in the Class A State semifinals and play a familiar foe in arch rival and the fourth ranked Clarkston Wolves (57-5) at 7:15 PM on Thursday night. Clarkston eliminated fifth ranked Plymouth Canton in a five game thriller in which one call changed the entire outcome.

Now back to the game in St. Clair Shores Lake Shore, every set was close except for the third game where the Dragons seemed to change tempo in a rowdy game featuring both student sections.

Both the Dragons and Cougars went back in fourth in the first game. The Cougars were led by sophomore Carli Snyder who matched Dragons senior Shannon Murdock kill after kill. The game went either way but the Cougars and Snyder found a way to survive set one despite bad officiating 28-26 and going up one game to none.

Set two went to the Cougars 25-21 and they went up two games to none. Macomb Dakota controlled tempo, forcing Lake Orion to make some crucial mistakes with side outs and serving errors and also Snyder took control of the game as well for Macomb Dakota.

With the Dragons down two sets, Dragons Coach Bob Howey told his team that they have been down this path before. “After that second game we told them to take it one game at a time. We’ve been here before. Just find our game. We can’t keep playing their game.” Howey said to reporters.

Set three went to the Dragons, with their backs against the wall. Lake Orion went on a 13-1 run led by aces by senior Gwen Motley and kills by Murdock and fellow seniors Liz Kalugar and Taylor Hargraves and ran way with a 25-14 victory making the match at two sets to one in favor of Macomb Dakota.

Dragons junior Sophie Murdock knew that after the third game her teammates started to gain the confidence they needed. "They were really vocal, we all said, stay strong. Stay motivated. We can’t get down. We wouldn’t let ourselves get down and we came back and won (the third set and eventually the match). “That third game gave us a lot of confidence. It gave us momentum and took it away from them.” Murdock said to reporters.

Macomb Dakota coach Tracie Ferguson knew that game three was going to be tough but they did force the Dragons to call timeouts, so it wasn't all bad. "Our serve-receive kind of collapsed and one thing led to another in that third game," Ferguson said to reporters. "We’ve talked about mental toughness all year and being able to shake things off, but sometimes it gets a little tough. They still fought. We made them call timeouts in the third game."

Set four was dramatic, both sides were even during the contest. The only negative was a yellow card on assistant coach John Kalugar, which did not make the Orion faithful happy. The largest lead any team had was four when the Dragons took a 15-11 lead but the Cougars answered by tying the score up at 19-19 and then going ahead 21-20 before Howey called a timeout calming his team down. Lake Orion then responded by going on a six to three run to close the fourth set and win 25-22, tying the game up at two games a peace.

Set five was also dramatic. The Dragons built a nine to five lead early. Then the Cougars answered by cutting the game within two points. The Dragons then built their lead yet again to 13-8 thanks to kills by Kalugar, Shannon Murdock, Sophie Murdock, and senior Maddie Hutchinson but the Cougars yet again responded, going on a 5-0 run to tie the score up at 13-13 a piece but the Dragons behind Murdock and Kalugar got the final two points and won 15-13, sending the Orion crowd in a crazy madhouse.

Lake Orion was led by Murdock's 21 kills, three blocks, three aces and 13 digs. Murdock's sister Sophie had nine kills and four blocks. Kalugar had 11 kills and 18 digs. Senior Angelica LeDonne had four kills, all four of them came from the middle of the court. Hutchinson added 32 digs, senior Dana Schrauben had 27 assists and fellow senior Gwen Motley had 24 assists.

Macomb Dakota was led by Snyder's 18 kills, four blocks, and 22 digs. Snyder is also being looked at by scouts to go to possible Division One schools for volleyball as a sophomore. Junior Megan Downey had 11 kills while fellow junior Kylie Churches had seven kills and four blocks. Senior Jessica DeVriendt had 17 digs and senior Danielle Spicuzzi and junior Megan Manierski combined for 36 assists.

Ferguson added that "They were the better team tonight. They have a lot of weapons and we just came up a couple points short. We came out strong and to keep up that momentum might seem easy, but it’s not. Knowing the way we played them this season, we knew they wouldn’t give up. If they know what’s working for them, they’ll do anything and everything to make sure it keeps happening until we adapt. We just adapted a little too late today."

The Dragons and the Wolves are very familiar with each other despite the fact they are rivals. The Dragons in tournament play have beaten the Wolves twice while the Wolves have beaten the Dragons once in tournament play but the Wolves took the OAA Red Championship in a five game thriller over the Dragons on October 18th in Lake Orion. That game will have the Dragons motivated and wanting a bit of revenge for that loss.

We'll see what happens but the Dragons live another day and a trip to Battle Creek is in the very near future.

Dragons win first regional championship since 1988. Await Cougars next in Macomb County.

Written Thursday November 10th at 11:15 PM

The Dragon volleyball players weren't even born the last time the Dragons won a regional championship.

Now in 23 years the Dragons can celebrate a regional championship.

The seventh ranked Dragons celebrated their first regional championship since 1988 and beat the Colts of Troy in three games 25-17, 25-21, 25-21 at in the Dragons Lair however the game wasn't a blowout. "It’s amazing," Dragons head coach Bob Howey said to reporters. "We thought we were going to have a shot after last year. We knew who we had coming back this year. We’ve just kept working and working and working. It was a little bit of a struggle tonight, but we got it done."

The Colts hung in there with the Dragons but the experience and being at home helped the Dragons tonight.

Lake Orion (52-12-3) now advances to the MHSAA State Quarterfinals in a wide open Class A and face the sixth ranked Macomb Dakota Cougars on Tuesday at St. Clair Shores Lakeshore.

The Dragons did not play their most statistical game but took advantage of timely kills and some Colts miscues.

Lake Orion senior Shannon Murdock had seven kills while senior Liz Kalugar added two kills and nine digs. Senior Maddie Hutchinson led all players with 11 digs.

The Dragons have had big crowds in their two previous contests, and hope the big crowd accompany them to St. Clair Shores on Tuesday. "Hopefully, we did enough tonight to get some of them to come out to St. Clair Shores," Howey said of the Lake Orion student section to reporters.

"We’ve never had student sections like we had this week," said Murdock to reporters. "It’s awesome to see how much support we have from our school. We take a lot of pride in our sports here, and we’re just really excited to keep going."

The Colts battled until the very end. Troy came in with a very good game plan, and that was to shut down the middle attack that the Dragons and especially junior Sophie Murdock had that worked against Birmingham Marian in the regional semifinal. "I was very proud of how our girls played," Troy head coach Ed Ruhl said to reporters. "Lake Orion served lights out tonight. I thought our game plan worked great against them. We had to make sure we played our game. The crowd got into it tonight, and I think maybe our girls got a little excited. They’ve got a good team over there."

The Dragons know that their path and their goal is near and the sixth ranked Cougars stand in their way toward their path to Battle Creek. The path may have gotten easier with top ranked Farmington Hills Mercy falling to fifth ranked Plymouth Canton in four games in Brighton. If the Dragons win Tuesday over the Cougars there is that possibility that the Dragons could play fourth ranked Wolves of Clarkston in Battle Creek in the state semifinals depending if the Wolves get past the Chiefs and the Dragons beat the Cougars.

The Dragons have been a focused bunch all season and want to win the whole thing. "We all want it so badly. We’ve all been working so hard. We just refuse to lose." Murdock added to reporters.

Tonight the Dragons lived and get to play another day and get ready for a Oakland County vs Macomb County, a classic OAA Red vs MAC Red battle but we'll see what happens on Tuesday.

Dragons Stun Mustangs, await Colts next at Orion.

Written Tuesday November 8th at 11:30 PM

The previous two playoffs the third ranked Birmingham Marian Mustangs won back to back state championships and were looking to win their third straight state championship and looked like they were well on their way of doing but then came Tuesday night.

Tuesday night proved to be the Perfect Storm for the Mustangs.

Birmingham Marian, the Catholic League runner up (57-14) could not get past that road block, that was the seventh ranked Dragons of Lake Orion who were the OAA Red runner up 20-25, 27-25, 25-16, 27-25 in a hostile regional semifinal at Lake Orion High School.

The win was perhaps the biggest in Dragons coach Bob Howey's career. "It was huge," Lake Orion head coach Bob Howey said to reporters. " I think we were down 24-19 after the second game. You know what. We put together as tough of a schedule as we could possibly play this year, and that’s why. I think that’s the difference. We had a tough loss against Clarkston, (five game loss, three weeks ago) but I think it taught us to have poise for that."

The schedule Howey put together was brutal and what was called doomsday to many experts. The schedule included top ranked Farmington Hills Mercy, second ranked Rockford, third ranked Birmingham Marian, fourth ranked Clarkston, fifth ranked Plymouth Canton, and ninth ranked Birmingham Seaholm, whom the Dragons had to all play this season, whether it was the regular season or in tournaments.

The seventh ranked Dragons (51-12-3) advanced to the regional final on Thursday Night at Lake Orion against a very determined Troy Colts team. The Colts needed 64 minutes to eliminate the Southfield Blue Jays in three games 25-16, 25-12, 25-16. Lake Orion will attempt to win it's first regional championship since 1988. That year the Dragons went to the Final Four of the State tournament.

The win for the Dragons was revenge after what happened last season in Oxford when they fell to the Mustangs in three games. The difference was the match was at Lake Orion. "It’s what we’ve been working for all season," Dragons Senior Shannon Murdock said to reporters. "We played Marian in the regionals last year and lost and we’ve been looking for revenge. It feels so good to finally get it."

The Mustangs fell into the perfect storm like the gales of November when ships went down sinking on the Great Lakes.

The first set was interesting and good to watch. The Mustangs took control early after some unforced errors by the Dragons and perfect serving on the Mustangs part. The Dragons did respond and took an early 10-7 lead but unforced errors and mistakes let the Mustangs come back and take down the Dragons 25-20. It looked early on like Birmingham Marian was going to take early control like they did against Birmingham Seaholm at Beverly Hills last Friday night.

The second set was intense drama. Lake Orion was about to trail two sets to none and the crowd was quiet. Birmingham Marian had a 24-19 lead but the Dragons answered with a rally of their own. Lake Orion scored five unanswered points to tie the game at 24-24. After that, the game turned to a back in fourth seesaw. Birmingham Marian scored the first point to take a 25-24 lead, then the Dragons responded. After tying the score up at 25-25 the Dragons scored the next two points and won 27-25 to tie the games up, one set a piece.

The win in the second set turned the Dragons Lair into a madhouse. The second game set the tone for the rest of the match. "We let them back into it," said Birmingham Marian coach Irick Gardner to reporters. "We let the crowd back into to it. I think the second game was the difference. If we get that point, then we lead 2-0 and can play differently against them. All we needed to do was get one point and we couldn’t do that. You can’t take away anything from Lake Orion because they are a good team. They found a way to come back."

The third set was all Dragons. The Mustangs were rattled, vulnerable, shocked, and stunned. Early on both the Dragons and Mustangs fought for control of the set but the Dragons found some huge breaks that went their way in the contest. The Dragons stormed past the Mustangs in set three 25-16 for a two games to one lead. The Lake Orion faithful realized that maybe could the changing of the guard and that Birmingham Marian was beatable.

The fourth set was a classic. Both teams called timeouts early and with no timeouts on each side. It was intense drama, Birmingham Marian was fighting for their season took an early 14-10 lead and then the tide turned. The Dragons battled, tying the game up at 15-15. Eventually the Dragons went into a back and fourth tug a war with the Mustangs.

Birmingham Marian did have a chance to win the fourth set on two separate occasions. The Mustangs led 24-23 at one point and possibly force the game to a fifth set but it wasn't meant to be. The Dragons answered the call with a Murdock kill to tie the game up at 24-24. The Mustangs final points came when they took a 25-24 lead and then Murdock added another kill to tie it up at 25-25 all. Senior Maddie Hutchinson then finished off the Mustangs with two things, first with a serve that was killed by Murdock and then an ace to pull of the greatest win in Dragons volleyball history.

The final score on the scoreboard was Lake Orion 27, Birmingham Marian 25 and three games to one.

The Lake Orion volleyball team screamed emotionally, cheered, hugged each other, and fell to the court in celebration after the final serve was made in front of a shocked madhouse. After a quick get together with the coaching staff, the Dragons volleyball team went into the madhouse and celebrated with them on the floor with hugs and happiness. Birmingham Marian coaches and players watched with tears and sadness knowing their season was done.

The madhouse was the Dragons crowd were dressed in white for the white out. They were in the game all night long and constantly was making life miserable for Birmingham Marian servers and players. They were most vocal especially when the Mustangs had to go to the north end for sets two and four that was where the madhouse was.

The Dragons were led by Murdock's 17 kills and 21 digs. Murdock's junior sister Sophie had 13 kills and three blocks. Senior Liz Kalugar had 10 kills and 16 digs while Senior Dana Schrauben had 34 assists. Senior Angelica LeDonne had four blocks while Seniors Gwen Motley had 18 assists and Hutchinson had 35 digs and 23 serve receives to lead Lake Orion.

For Birmingham Marian this a sudden shock to end their season. They expected to be in Battle Creek and win it's third state championship but that will not happen this season. The Mustangs play in one of the toughest leagues in the state, the Catholic League. Next season Birmingham Marian will still be one of the best teams in Oakland County and in the state and that league is no easy picnic.

Whenever teams play Birmingham Marian, teams tend to break and crack, especially with public school teams instead of persevere. That is one of the main reasons how the Mustangs win games because of intimidation. It happened at Birmingham Groves on Friday against Birmingham Seaholm. The Maples psychologically were intimated by the Mustangs with their experience, reputation, and per-segue and lost the final two games 25-14, 25-15 after losing 27-25 last Friday night.

Teams psychologically, especially with public schools change their game plans and approach against Catholic teams like Birmingham Mercy, Birmingham Detroit Country Day, Orchard Lake St. Marys, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, Novi Detroit Catholic Central, Birmingham Brother Rice, Farmington Hills Mercy, etc. The Catholic schools recruit players to play for them all around the state. Parents pay a lot of money for them to go to their school and play for them with the promise that they would land a Division One Scholarship.

Tonight however proved that public school teams can rise up, especially against the Catholic League and play them tough. Maybe this could be the possible changing of the guard.

For Lake Orion, it's retribution on a team that has caused them pain for years however the team only has 24 hours to celebrate this win and then get ready to play Troy Thursday night. Some will look at this match up with the Colts as a possible letdown game for the Dragons after the emotional win over Birmingham Marian. Others say it's a coincidence but it was meant to be.

Howey is confident in his team that they can win this regional and move onto the state quarterfinals for the first time since 1988, the goals are still there but they have to beat Troy first. "We haven’t won the regional yet, but to beat the two-time defending state champs here is very big. I think we’ll be ready Thursday (for the regional finals). I don’t think that will be a problem."

We'll see what happens Thursday against the Colts.

Tonight the demons was lifted and the Mustangs is the team that is going home while the Dragons live to play another day.

Dragons tame Falcons, await Mustangs next in Orion.

Written Saturday November 5th at 8:20 PM

Experience and size matters on some days, however Saturday afternoon at Rochester, both were on display.

The seventh ranked Dragons (50-12-3) overcame a gutsy and young Falcons (12-20-8) team, as well as terrible officiating to win in three games 25-18, 25-21, 25-18 over the host Rochester Falcons and will now move on to a war with third ranked Birmingham Marian (57-13) in a regional semifinal on Tuesday night at Lake Orion.

The win gave the Dragons their second district championship in 16 years and back to back crowns.

Lake Orion struggled with it's serving, consisting a lot of service errors in the contest and kept Rochester in the game.

The Dragons were led by senior Liz Kaulgar with ten kills and 13 digs. Senior Maddie Hutchinson had 19 digs while senior Dana Schrauben added 17 assists. Junior Sophie Murdock added eight kills and 14 digs.

Dragons coach Bob Howey knows that his team has to do better if they want to beat Birmingham Marian but his girls are ready for the task in hand. "We're just trying to get to a certain level, and the next game it will be intense," Howey said to reporters. "(My players) are fired up for it, it's what they've been looking forward to."

Dragons sweep Highlanders, await Falcons in Rochester on Saturday.

Written Thursday November 3rd, at 11:18 PM.

One word for the first two games that could explain Lake Orion Volleyball Dragons. Dominant. The third game, not so much.

The Dragons did manage to survive the third game after Rochester Adams tied the game up at 21-21, however a service error by Adams led the way for Lake Orion that ended up sweeping the Rochester Adams Highlanders, 25-11, 25-10, 25-23 at Rochester High School on Thursday night.

Dragons coach Bob Howey liked the way his team played tonight against Rochester Adams. "I really like what I saw tonight, especially in the first two games, I thought our hitters and our setters were on their games. That was some good volleyball from us."

The Dragons (49-12-3) will move on and play the host school, the Rochester Falcons on Saturday at noon. The Dragons will attempt to try and win their second straight district championship and second in 16 years.

Lake Orion was led by it's strong senior class once again, Liz Kalugar and Shannon Murdock combined for 17 kills in the contest while junior Sophie Murdock added nine kills of her own. Senior's Dana Schrauben and Gwen Motley combined for 28 assists."I thought it was going to be hard for us to keep up the same energy level that we had in the first two games," Howey said. "Adams definitely came out strong in that third game. They put up a really good fight."

The Falcons survived a five game thriller with their eastern city rival, the Stoney Creek Cougars, whom won the Rochester City Championship for volleyball. Rochester beat Stoney Creek 16-25, 17-25, 25-21, 25-23, 17-15 to get into the championship game on it's home court. Earlier in the season the Dragons won 25-20, 25-12, 25-17, and swept the Falcons on that day.

Saturday is going to decide a district champion but it's going to actually be a road game for the Dragons. Howey wants to make sure his team doesn't overlook toward Birmingham Marian (Tuesday at Lake Orion), if they win Saturday against Rochester. "We’re looking ahead to Saturday now. We just have to make sure we keep taking it one match at a time. If you overlook someone and come out flat, your season could be over. I love my group because I don’t have to tell them that very often. They know that they can’t look past anybody. They know that there won’t even be a regional match against Marian if they don’t take care of business in districts. It’s really a great group of kids."

Dragons regroup with win over Wildcats. Awaits Highlanders Next.

Written Wednesday November 2nd, at 10:00 AM

To some, some view this match Tuesday night with Oxford as redemption. Some view as getting back on track. Some refer it one game at a time. That's what happened Tuesday night in the Pre-District of the post season MHSAA girls Volleyball tournament at Lake Orion High School.

The Dragons handled the Wildcats 25-18, 25-16, 25-19 in a loud Dragons field-house, and will move on to Thursday's district semifinals with Rochester Adams at 5:00 PM at Rochester and that winner will move to the district finals with a noon tilt on Saturday against either the Rochester Falcons or the Stoney Creek Cougars.

The term redemption is a term that most people view as swift justice but when the Dragons lost the OAA Red to Clarkston two weeks ago in a five game thriller at Lake Orion. The loss left a bad taste in the mouth of the players, coaches, and fans. It was time to get back on track and prove people wrong.

"Tonight was a good start for us," Dragons coach Bob Howey said to reporters after the Oxford game. "This was the kind of win we needed to get back on track. The girls really wanted to win the league. It was tough for them to get over that and get ready for playoffs. It took a little bit for them to bounce back, and that is why I think tonight was so key for us."

Lake Orion was led by a heavy senior class in Shannon Murdock's 11 kills, Maddie Hutchinson's 23 digs, Dan Schrauben's 21 assists and Glen Motley's 16 assists. However not all was led by the senior class, juniors Sophie Murdock and Melanie Heath had 18 kills combined in the Dragons victory tonight.

The Dragons next opponent is Rochester Adams. The Highlanders and the Dragons met earlier in the season at Lake Orion with the Dragons winning in three games. "We’re expecting Adams to bring their best," Howey added to reporters. "It seems like a long time ago since we’ve played them. I know that we’ll be ready, though."

Maybe this was the best thing to happen to the Dragons but nobody knows. Maybe faith has the Dragons going places deep into the playoffs, but we'll see what happens.

Dragons eliminated from playoffs after loss to Walled Lake Central 20-17

Written Saturday October 29th at 9:27 PM

This whole entire season the Dragons could not get that one big stop and it was fatal Friday night.

Time possession and the fake punt, everyone in the stadium knew hurt and the Lake Orion Dragons were eliminated from the playoffs 20-17, on a field goal by Brian Maxwell with three tenth's of a second left in the game at a stunned Dragon Stadium.

Lake Orion lost a rare three straight games to close the season at 6-4 overall and shared the OAA Red Championship with Clarkston.

The Dragons could not stop the veer option offense that the Walled Lake Central Vikings provided and let Walled Lake Central senior quarterback Matt Liembach control tempo the whole game.

The Vikings got a field goal early from Maxwell that gave them a 3-0 lead then got a pick on Dragons quarterback Sean Charette extended the lead to 10-0 after a three yard touchdown from running back K.J. Schultz early in the second quarter.

The Dragons then started to rally behind Charette took the ball down the field and running back Jacob Miller scored from one yard out to get the Dragons on the scoreboard at 10-7. Orion then added a 25 yard field goal by Jeremy King to close out the half 10-10.

In the second half the Vikings got the ball and drove down the field using their veer option attack, leading to a 26 yard touchdown run by Leimbach giving the Vikings a 17-10 lead.

The Dragons answered the Vikings touchdown by going down the field, leading to a nine yard touchdown by Charette tying the game back up 17-17 in the third quarter.

Orion did have a chance, they recovered a fumble but did not convert thanks to two big penalties, forcing them back to midfield. They tried a fake punt by Zach Arnold on a fourth down and 30 but was tackled by Leimbach that cost them to turn the ball over on downs. That mistake led to Walled Lake Central's final drive.

The Vikings went down the field and on a fourth and seven the Vikings connected on a fake punt, taking it to the Dragons 29 yard line. The Vikings led by Leimbach and Schultz took the ball to the Dragons red zone. Orion tried icing Maxwell twice but got stronger every-time a timeout was called. Maxwell then hit a 20 yard field goal for a 20-17 lead.

The Dragons did have one last chance on a kickoff return but it wasn't meant to be. The Vikings celebrated their victory over the Dragons by singing their fight song while the Dragons looked on in sadness and tears. For Walled Lake Central it was a bit of revenge after the Vikings fell to the Dragons 35-28 in double overtime on a Roger Allison interception in 2002 at Dragon Stadium.

The Vikings (7-3: 4-1 KLAA North) will advance to the district finals in Clarkston, against the Wolves (7-3: 6-1 OAA Red) on Friday night.

This season was a very tough season for them, after coming off the State Championship season, the team was young with only four returning starters but that's no excuse. The Dragons fate was determined on stopping the big play that they failed to do on so many of their losses. In two of those losses, (Clarkston and Walled Lake Central) the Dragons allowed points on each of the final drives of the game. Orion has had chances but could not close the deal down.

Lets not forget that the Dragons have not seen a veer option attack like they saw in the Walled Lake Central game in the regular season. Lake Orion did not play Rochester Adams, a team that would have given the Dragons a strong look at what they were going to see. Adams runs the veer option offense very similar to Walled Lake Central and maybe it would have helped them prepare for Walled Lake Central's version of the veer but you couldn't control who you played but playing Adams probably would had helped a lot for this team.

The Dragons lose a lot of seniors, including quarterback Sean Charette, whom was the Dragons all time passing touchdowns leader. Charette's record playing in games was 35-11 when he started games and 37-11 in his career, if you count the two games he was out last season with the broken foot. This class has been through a lot, including the state championship crown that no one would forget.

Charette has won Orion some big games in his career. His first game against Rockford at Eastern Michigan and ever since he started almost every one of them. Charette lead the team to a 6-1 start then there was the five weeks of hell when the Dragons had to face and beat Rochester Adams, Clarkston, Utica Eisenhower, Romeo, and Stevenson. He became the first freshman to start at quarterback in a State Championship game when the Dragons faced the Rams yet again at Ford Field in the State Finals, sadly losing 26-14. Against the Titans, Charette led the drive when he threw a pass play to Charles Fleck, which set up the winning field goal from Jeff Heath, 38-36.

Charette in his junior season was lost to a leg injury in the Utica Eisenhower game but led the Dragons to a 8-1 record, only loss was to Farmington Hills Harrison and a 3-0 record in the postseason. Backup quarterback and wide receiver Cole Schaenzer along with Marques Stevenson, Dan Ney, and company led the Dragons to the 2010 State Championship while Charette cheered his team on, even though was in pain of not being in there for his team.

Next season the Dragons will have questions on offensive line and quarterback. The team has Jacob Miller, Jeremy King, and Chaz Miller and half of the secondary coming back along with a strong JV class who went 7-2 this season. The defense will still be a question mark heading into 2012 but this team is expected to be one of the state's top teams yet again. The Red next year will be tough with Troy Athens and Clarkston will also be very good.

Division 1-3 Preview/Projections

Written Monday October 24th, at 12:35 AM

Division 3:

Region 1 District 1
Cadillac (5-3) at Mount Pleseant (9-0): Mt Pleasent should be in good shape in this game, better not look ahead toward Petoskey. Pick: Mt Pleasent 35, Cadillac 14.

Bay City John Glenn (6-3) at Petoskey (8-1): Poor Bay City John Glenn having to travel north, could be a long ride home after this one. Pick: Petoskey 28, John Glenn 14.

Region 1 District 2
Haslett (5-4) at Dewitt (8-1): Haslett, it's been a good run but got to go with a hot Dewitt team. Pick: Dewitt 45, Haslett 7.

St. Johns (7-2) at East Lansing (7-2): Good matchup, East Lansing won the regular season game, this could be one of the best games in Ingham County. Pick: East Lansing 24, St. Johns 14.

Region 2 District 1
Kenowa Hills (6-3) at Christian (9-0): The Eagles should have no problem against the Knight, they should be looking forward to a possible matchup with the Pioneers next week. Pick: Christian 45, Kenowa Hills 0.

Fruitport (7-2) at East Grand Rapids (6-3): The Pioneers are down but don't count them out of anything. Pick: East Grand Rapids 27, Fruitport 14.

Region 2 District 2
Holland (7-2) at Lakeshore (7-2): Good match-up but edge goes to the home team. Pick: Lakeshore 28, Holland 24.

St. Joseph (7-2) at Zeeland East (8-1): The Chix has played a tough schedule but edge once again goes to the home team. Pick: Zeeland East 28, St. Joseph 14.

Region 3 District 1
Hastings (7-2) at Battle Creek Harbor Creek (9-0): Hastings is good but Harbor Creek is a dangerous ball club. Pick: Harbor Creek 35, Hastings 14.

Strugis (7-2) at Mason (8-1): Mason is a good team, and should be a force after knocking off Crosswell-Lexington last week. Pick: Mason 31, Strugis 21.

Region 3 District 2
Adrian (5-4) at Carleton Airport (8-1): Airport is a good team, will give Adrian problems. Pick: Airport 24, Adrian 7.

Chelsea (7-2) at Riverview (8-1): Another good match-up but edge still to the home team. Pick: Riverview 24, Chelsea 21.

Region 4 District 1
Avondale (5-4) at Lapeer East (7-2): Dangerous match-up for the Eagles but which Yellow Jackets team will show up. Pick: Avondale 28, Lapeer East 21.

Linden (5-4) at Lapeer West (6-3): Rematch of two Metro teams but West is at home and the edge should go with the Panthers over the Eagles. Pick: Lapeer West 24, Linden 21.

Region 4 District 2
Lahser (6-3) at Thurston (8-1): Thurston should get ready for the Eaglets, the Knights are in trouble. Pick: Thurston 45, Lahser 7.

Pershing (7-2) at St. Marys (7-2): The Eaglets are mad, and should not have a problem with the Doughboys and the rest of the field. Pick: OLSM 49, Pershing 6.

Division 2:
Region 1 District 1
Marquette (7-2)at Fenton (7-2): The Redmen had a tough loss last week to Camulet but their reward for losing was going to be traveling all the way south into Genesee County and deal with the Tigers for the first round of the playoffs. It's going to be a long bus ride home for Marquette. Pick: Fenton 24, Marquette 7.

Okemos (6-3) at Bay City Western (7-2): The Chiefs had a great year and is rising but the Warriors are at home in this one. Pick: Bay City Western 31, Okemos 14.


Region 1 District 2
Forest Hills Central (6-3) at Lowell (8-1): The Red Arrows will advance in this one handily over the Rangers. Pick Lowell 49, Forest Hills Central 0.

Muskegon (7-2) vs Mattawan (8-1): The Big Reds play in a brutal division and should prepare for the Red Arrows next week. Pick: Muskegon 42, Mattawan 30.


Region 2 District 1
Milford (6-3) at Walled Lake Western (8-1): The suspensions and distractions from an alleged hazing incident could affect the Warriors playoff chances, this is a perfect opportunity for the Mavericks to get the upset. Pick: Milford 21, Western 14.

South Lyon (7-2) at Holly (7-2): Welcome to the playoffs Lions, too bad the run will end against a very good Bronchos team in a great game. Pick: Holly 24, South Lyon 20.

Region 2 District 2
Brandon (5-4) at Port Huron (8-1): The Big Reds are on a run since knocking off Eisenhower but they should not overlook a good Blackhawks squad. Pick: Port Huron 27, Brandon 14.

Adams (6-3) at Oxford (7-2): The Highlanders lost 22-16 in overtime on homecoming to the Wildcats but can the Highlanders stop Prescott Line on the blue turf???, nope. Pick: Oxford 35, Adams 14.

Region 3 District 1
Seaholm (6-3) at Harrison (9-0): The Maples are good but the Hawks are in another world right now to face the Warriors. Pick: Harrison 56, Seaholm 0.

Brother Rice (5-4) at North Farmington (7-2): The Raiders got a home game but they got to play a Catholic League power in the Warriors, ouch. Pick: Rice 31, North Farmington 7.

Region 3 District 2
Farmington (5-4) at Detroit Henry Ford (7-2): Don't put your pads away yet Falcons you earned another week and maybe another one. Pick: Farmington 35, Detroit Henry Ford 18.

Southfield (6-3) at Groves (6-3): Congrats Falcons for making the playoffs, too bad the Jays will cut it short. Pick: Southfield 42, Groves 12.

Region 4 District 1
Lincoln (6-3) at Roosevelt (8-1): Roosevelt should be fine in this one against a team that made it for the first time. Pick: Roosevelt 42, Lincoln 14.

Woodhaven (6-3) at Anderson (7-2): Anderson is at home for this one, should be a good one. Pick: Anderson 35, Woodhaven 28.

Region 4 District 2
Garden City (6-3) at Allen Park (7-2): Welcome back to the playoffs Jaguars. Pick: Allen Park 40, Garden City 24.

King (6-3) at Grosse Pointe South (6-3): King wants to take it's frustrations out on someone, that someone will be the Blue Devils. Pick: King 25, South 19.

Division 1:
Region 1 District 1
West Ottawa (6-3) at Rockford (8-1): The Rams are built Dodge tough, should handle the Panthers. Pick: Rockford 42, West Ottawa 21.

Grand Ledge (7-2) at Grand Haven (8-1): The Buccaneers will get their rematch with Rockford next week but this game with the Comets will be a battle of the Grand's. Pick: Grand Haven 35, Grand Ledge 28.

Region 1 District 2
Holt (5-4) at Grand Blanc (7-2): The Rams lost a good one last week to Grand Ledge but with the Bobcats anything can happen. Pick: Holt 27, Grand Blanc 24.

Carman Ainsworth (6-3) at Midland (8-1): The Chemics have a big offensive line and depth should give big problems for the Cavaliers. Pick: Midland 34, Carman Ainsworth 14.


Region 2 District 1
Bedford (6-3) at Brighton (8-1): The Bulldogs got the best part of the draw and Bedford has to pay the price. Pick: Brighton 28, Bedford 14.

Monroe (7-2) at Pioneer (7-2): The Pioneers beat the Trojans in the regular season, maybe not this time around. Pick: Monroe 27, Pioneer 20.

Region 2 District 2
Canton (7-2) at Plymouth (8-1): No home field advantage here but the Chiefs have something to prove and a win will do it over their rival Wildcats. Pick: Canton 28, Plymouth 27.

Northville (8-1) at Detroit Catholic Central (8-1): This has street fight written all over it and wild shootout is near with the Mustangs winning in double overtime over the Shamrocks. Pick: Northville 35, Catholic Central 28, two overtimes.

Region 3 District 1
Pontiac (6-3) at Clarkston (6-3): The Phoenix are back in the playoffs, too bad it will be an early exit by the Wolves but it will be a wild one. Pick: Clarkston 42, Pontiac 35.

Walled Lake Central (6-3)at Lake Orion (6-3): Even new Walled Lake superintendent Ken Gutman, who came over from Lake Orion can't save the Vikings this week. Also add to the fact that the Dragons want the Wolves in the worst way in a district final. Pick: Lake Orion 35, Central 14.

Region 3 District 2
Macomb Dakota (6-3) at Utica Eisenhower (8-1): Best match-up of the weekend but Storm Hudson will play a huge roll on the sidelines for the Eagles in a wild one with the Cougars. Pick: Eisenhower 21, Dakota 14.

Romeo (7-2) at Troy Athens (7-2): The Bulldogs and Red Hawks have a defense but the Red Hawks have an offense are at home, despite the fact the Bulldogs have been improving lately on offense. Pick: Troy Athens 27, Romeo 13.

Region 4 District 1
Fordson (5-4) at Dearborn (7-2): The Tractors upset the Pioneers in Dearborn but this time the tide will switch. Pick: Dearborn 27, Fordson 20.

Detroit Cass Tech (6-3) at Livonia Churchill (6-3): The Techinians have had a dissapointing season but the postseason is always a new season. Pick: Detroit Cass Tech 24, Churchill 14

Region 4 District 2
Roseville (6-3) at Warren De La Salle (7-2): Welcome to D1, Pilots. Warren De La Salle should win handily over Roseville. Pick: De La Salle 35, Roseville 14.

Warren Cousino (6-3) at Warren Mott (6-3): The Marauders has played in a tougher division in the MAC Red and that experence should get them into round two over the Patriots. Pick: Mott 28, Cousino 20.

Dragons fall to Wolves in a thriller, draw Walled Lake Central in the playoffs

Written Sunday October 23rd, at 10:28 PM

What a wild one that took place on Friday night in Clarkston, however for the Dragons it was a sad one.

Already up 31-21 with 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Dragons saw their lead blow away as the Wolves came back with a late touchdown by quarterback Mitch Benagier with 59.1 seconds remaining in the game and stunned the Dragons 38-31 and saw Clarkston not only share the OAA Red championship with the Dragons but get into the playoffs and were rewarded with a home game with Pontiac.

Senior quarterback Sean Charette had three passing touchdowns, Junior wide reciever Chaz Miller had two touchdown passes from Charette. Junior running back Jacob Miller did add a touchdown against a good Wolves defense in the loss.

Add to that the Wolves (6-3, 6-1 OAA Red) get to host the entire district round, if they get past the Phoenix.

The Dragons finished the year at 6-3 overall and 6-1 in the OAA Red division drew the Walled Lake Central Vikings in the playoffs. The match-up is set for Friday night at 7 PM at Dragon Stadium. The last time these two teams met in the playoffs was 2002 when the Dragons defeated the Vikings 35-28 at Lake Orion. The Vikings come into the playoffs at 6-3 and 4-1 in the Kensington Lakes Athletic Association North Division, which was good for second place behind arch rival Walled Lake Western.

The Vikings are a running team with a Wing T offense along with a veer offense as well, something the Dragons have not seen all year. The Vikings feature quarterback Zac Leimbach, Leimbach is a senior and is Walled Lake Central's best player and their leader. Leimbach is a three sport athlete (football, basketball, and baseball,) he does have a strong arm, good speed, and he's tough. Leimbach did have to deal with some adversity in his life. His father Mark Leimbach passed away after a ten year battle with cancer last spring before the regional in Baseball.

Walled Lake Central does feature other good players and they do have a good defense. Central has lost some tough games. They lost two weeks ago to Brighton 28-24 and in week six lost to arch rival Walled Lake Western 18-11 for the KLAA North and in week one, got crushed by Plymouth Canton 42-14. So Friday Night with Orion and Walled Lake Central should be a good one to watch at Lake Orion.

Dragons fall to Wolves for the Red but playoffs are another story.

Written Tuesday October 18th, at 11:40 PM.

There were tears of sadness in the Dragon players and fans, tears of joy in the Wolves players and fans, and excitement as the OAA Red Championship was on the line in front of two spirited fan bases on Tuesday Night at Lake Orion High School. Tuesday Night proved to be better than advertised.

In a wild one the fourth ranked Clarkston Wolves survived the fifth ranked Dragons 26-24, 25-23, 21-25, 18-25, and 15-10, claiming the OAA Red Division championship for the sixth time in nine seasons and fifth straight in a playoff like setting as part of Dragons-Wolves week. They do meet in football on Friday in Clarkston and possibly in the boys soccer playoffs as well in Grand Blanc. This playoff atmosphere is something that both these teams should get used too.

"This one aged me, I kind of expected this game, this match could have gone either way." said Clarkston coach Kelly Avenall, referring to the five game match.

Dragons coach Bob Howey expressed disappointment for the Dragons seniors in their final regular season game. "This should had been our year, what are you going to do" Howey said to reporters after the loss.

The Dragons however do have one more guaranteed home game though, the district at Rochester has a play in game, and the Dragons are home for that one, on Monday November 5th against the Oxford Wildcats.

Orion was led by senior Shannon Murdock's 21 kills, senior Liz Kalugar had 15 kills, senior Maddie Hutchinson added 41 digs and senior Gwen Motley had a season high 51 assists and 11 digs. "I don’t think she (Shannon Murdock) was at her very best in the first two (games), but she’s probably the main reason we were in the match," Howey added.

The Dragons fall to 38-11-5 overall and 6-1 in OAA Red play with a game to play against North Farmington on Thursday Night in Farmington Hills then are in the North Branch tournament before districts start in a few weeks.

This was a devastating loss for the Dragons, but is this playoffs???, no not yet even though both the Dragons and Wolves are in different parts of the draw, Clarkston (48-4-1, 8-0 OAA Red) goes north while Lake Orion goes south. It hurts now and it's something the Dragon ladies never want to feel again.

Dragons fall to Harrison but hope is still not lost.

Written Friday October 14th, at 11:48 PM

Usually losing is not a good thing, but this loss came at a price Friday night at Lake Orion against the Farmington Hills Harrison Hawks. The Dragons fell in a tight 28-7 game to the Hawks, which the game was much closer than the score. People ask what was the difference, it's plain and simple.

The Dragons didn't take advantage of their opportunities. The Hawks had ten penalties including some personal foul calls during the game.

Lake Orion had five trips inside the red zone, and yet didn't come away from any points. Also involved in the game was a touchdown by junior Chaz Miller that was taken back thanks to a horrible holding penalty by the referees. If that touchdown stood it would had been 21-14, Hawks but instead Farmington Hills Harrison stopped the Dragons on four downs and eventually scored a touchdown to put the game out of reach.

Farmington Hills Harrison took a 21-0 lead into the half but the Dragons continued to fight back. Senior quarterback Sean Charette found senior wide receiver Robert Aiello from four yards out for a Dragons touchdown to cut the gap to 21-7 but the opportunities didn't come through during the night.

Let's look at the bright side for the Dragons, the Dragons are in the playoffs and have a chance to win the OAA Red Championship outright but the Dragons need to get better and back to the drawing board as soon as possible and we all know Dragons coach Chris Bell and the rest of the coaches on the staff real well. If the Dragons (6-2, 6-0 OAA Red) can beat the Clarkston Wolves in Clarkston on Friday night, they would not only win the OAA Red outright but they could knock out the Wolves from the playoffs, even though there is a possibility that the Wolves will get into the playoffs at 5-4. Clarkston comes into the showdown with the Dragons at 5-3 overall and 5-1 in OAA Red play, after they lost to Oxford 42-35 on Friday Night.

Dragons sweep Wildcats, await Wolves next.

Written October 14th, at 10:14 AM

The Lake Orion Dragons girls volleyball team felt the pain of losing four in a row last season that cost them a spot for the OAA Red title and they did not want to feel that pace.

Setting up with a league showdown with Clarkston on Senior Night I might add on Tuesday night, the Dragons took care of some business Thursday night by sweeping the Oxford Wildcats 25-18, 25-17, and 25-16 to force the showdown of two unbeaten powers.

The Dragons were balanced all night with kills, assists, and digs. They were led by senior Shannon Murdock's ten kills. Senior Taylor Hargraves added six kills along with sophomore Sophie Murdock who also added six kills. Senior Maddie Hutchinson added 14 digs and a 2.6 serve rating with her 14 service points. Senior Liz Kalugar added six kills, five service points, and six digs while seniors Gwen Motley and Dana Schrauben combined for 36 assists in the contest.


The Dragons depth has been a benefit to coach Bob Howey and they will need that when the Wolves come to town Tuesday Night. "We do have a lot of depth, which I think has helped us all season" Howey said to reporters after the game.

Orion (37-8-2, 6-0 in the OAA Red) now sets the stage with Clarkston, also unbeaten in the OAA Red. If the Dragons can get past the Wolves and the Raiders next Thursday Night, the Dragons could have their first OAA Red title ever.

Howey knows this team needs to improve quickly with Clarkston coming in but they did just enough to get this one in the win column. We didn’t play great. We just did what we had to do to win," said Howey to reporters. "We’re going to have to play better (against Clarkston). I think the girls know that. We have been going hard at it since August. We’ll fix some things this Saturday at a tournament."

The Wildcats (22-16-1) did not do bad themselves either, even though they knew they had to play the perfect game to beat the Dragons saw the future bright in sophomore Darien Bandel. Bandel had eight kills and 14 digs to lead the Oxford attack. "I’m not unhappy with the first part of the games. We just need to learn how to stick it out. We were always chasing," said Oxford coach Kristi McDevitt to reporters.

Both the Dragons and the Wildcats will play each other in the first round of districts in a few weeks (Monday November 7th) at Lake Orion with the winner facing Rochester Adams at Rochester on Wednesday November 9th at 5:30 PM. "I just told the girls to store this feeling. This is the team that we’re seeing the first round of districts," McDevitt concluded to reporters.

Dragons win Homecoming, bring on top ranked Hawks.

Written Friday October 7th, at 11:55 PM

Homecoming has it's advantages, the alumni come back to watch the young generation continue the tradition that is Lake Orion Football.

However this wasn't your typical homecoming game.

The Dragons used a ground assault on the Red Hawks in rout to a 28-14 victory in Lake Orion on Friday Night.

The star of the game was junior running back Jacob Miller. Miller had the game of his life, had 33 carries for 285 yards and three touchdowns. "Jacob’s a workhorse," Bell said of Miller to reporters. "He’s been waiting for this game for his whole life. We came out in the second half knowing that we wanted to run the ball. We stayed with it because it was working."

Besides Miller who came to play, so did the Dragons bend, don't break defense. The defense shut down the Red Hawks offense most of the night. The only two mistakes the defense made was a 77 yard touchdown run with two minutes left in the game by running back Sam Haskell and a six yard touchdown from running back Lonnie Bolden with 20 seconds left in the second quarter.

Troy Athens tied the game 7-7 at the half but on the first series Miller carried the team on his back, and eventually scoring on a three yard touchdown to give the Dragons the lead for good at 14-7.

Miller would then strike again, following a Red Hawks punt, Miller ran the ball for 66 yards deep into Red Hawks territory, then once in the red zone he added a four yard touchdown which would be the winning score up 21-7.

The defending MHSAA division one state champion, Dragons move to 6-1 overall and 6-0 in the OAA Red. The team clinched a share of the OAA Red Championship and a playoff spot with this win tonight over Troy Athens.

The next game for the Dragons is Friday Night against the unbeaten, 24th ranked team in the Country according to Rivals.com, defending state champions for division two, and top ranked team in the state in Farmington Hills Harrison (7-0, 6-0 OAA White.) The Hawks feature a core of star players going to division one schools and this may be the best Farmington Hills Harrison team under Hawks coach John Herrington in his 41 years coaching in Farmington Hills based on skill, speed, and talent.

Last season in the 40th year reunion of Hawks Football, Farmington Hills Harrison beat Lake Orion in a battle of unbeaten's 28-6 on Saturday Afternoon, that would be the last time in that year the Dragons had lost a game.

Dragons survive hostile environment and beat Maples

Written Tuesday October 4th, at 11:25 PM

It has been an interesting few days for the Lake Orion Girls Volleyball team.

On Saturday the third ranked Dragons competed in the Birmingham Marian Invitational. Orion fared well knocking off Seaholm, West Bloomfield, and seventh ranked Clarkston to make it to the finals. The Dragons suffered a tough loss to Birmingham Marian in the championship game.

Lake Orion in pool play split with the Maples but knew that they would play Seaholm on Tuesday night with the Maples that featured Miss Michigan Volleyball candidate Paige Neuenfeldt with the chance for the Dragons to stay unbeaten in the OAA Red.

The Dragons went on and did just that, they beat the Maples in a four game set, 25-18, 25-21, 20-25, and 25-20 to stay unbeaten in OAA Red play in front of a rocky jammed pack gym in Birmingham. Lake Orion struggled with serving, a problem that has haunted Dragon coach Bob Howey all season long and made close games with the Maples. "Our servicing could have been better tonight," Howey said to reporters.

Lake Orion did a good job on Neuenfeldt, not letting her take over the game and only limiting her to 14 kills. Her teammate senior Kathy Quigley had 12 kills in defeat for Seaholm.

Birmingham Seaholm coach knew that this match was going to be tough for her team but credited her players for competing tonight. "We know that we can play with anyone.We came out with some confidence in the third game. We took a step back and said we need to win now or it’s going to be over.I really give our girls credit for not giving up tonight," Lippert said to reporters after the match-up.

The Dragons were led by senior Shannon Murdock and senior Liz Kaulgar with 13 kills each while senior Gwen Motley added 28 assists and senior Maddie Hutchinson had 23 digs against the Maples. Howey credited his eight seniors for his team's success and messing together as a unit. "I've got eight seniors this year. A lot of them played a good amount last year, and they’ve gotten more mature and have really developed their talents." Howey said to reporters.

The third ranked Dragons is now 35-8-1 overall and 4-0 in OAA Red play. Tied with seventh ranked Clarkston who is 6-0 in OAA Red play and 31-4 overall. The next matches for the Dragons is on Thursday when the team returns home to play the Farmington Falcons. Lake Orion travels to Farmington Hills and plays the North Farmington Raiders on Tuesday and host the Oxford Wildcats next week on Thursday. Then Lake Orion wraps up the league with state ranked Clarkston at home on October 18th. So stay tuned everyone.

Dragons Sing In the Rain and win in Troy

Written Saturday October 1st, at 12:00 AM

This type of year you got to be prepared for anything, especially weather wise.

Friday night was nothing different for everybody else including the Dragons and the Colts. Rain was falling all over the place and the Dragons, with a bend, don't break defense beat the Colts 17-7 in Colts Stadium.

Both teams struggled all night, it was a sloppy game to say the very least. Troy struggled throwing the ball, relaying on their running attack. Lake Orion struggled with penalties killing drives in Colts territory along with dropped passes most of the night. "Tonight was really hard fought," Lake Orion coach Chris Bell said to reporters. "I thought we were a little sloppy, but I thought our defense made some key stops when they needed to. Troy is a good team, and when you play good teams, you’ll take a win anyway that you can get it."

The scoring started when Lake Orion running back Jacob Miller scored from nine yards out for a 7-0 Dragons lead in the first quarter after an 80 yard drive opened the game up. In the second quarter the Dragons struck again when quarterback Sean Charette connected with wide receiver Chaz Miller for a 23 yard touchdown pass from the right side of the end-zone and things were looking really good for the Dragons at 14-0.

The Colts did have an answer for their own late in the half, after forcing the Dragons to turn the ball over on downs. Troy went to the ground with the combination of quarterback Justin Losey and running back Oliver Jiang. Losey and Jiang did most of the running attack with the quarterback option or the running back option that the Colts use in their spread set scored with a quarterback keeper one yard touchdown run by Losey to cut the lead in half to 14-7.

The Dragons closed the game out after a scoreless third quarter but in the fourth quarter after a Dragon defensive stop on fourth down. Miller took the ball to the Colts 20 yard line, where Orion's offense was stopped from scoring a touchdown by the Troy defense so Bell decided that he would take his chances with a 20 yard field goal by junior kicker Jeremy King. King connected with the field goal, sending the Dragons up two scores at 17-7.

Bell knows the Dragons can play better, making too many mistakes just won't get the job done especially down the line in big games. "There’s a lot that we need to do better." Bell added. "We’re going to learn from this, but we’re definitely excited to get out of here with the win. It puts us in great position."

Losey and the Colts offense could not figure out the bend and don't break Dragon defense. The Colts missed two field goals, got stopped three times on fourth down deep in Dragons territory and turned the ball over once on a fumble also deep in Dragon territory. "We had chances," Troy coach Gary Griffith said to reporters. "There were three times that we were down deep in their end, and we came away with nothing. We improved on some things from last week, but we let them get away with some big plays that killed us."

The loss sends the Colts to 3-3 overall and 3-2 in OAA Red play. Troy now knows that they need to win out just to have a shot at the playoffs. The schedule is manageable, they play Pontiac next week for their homecoming game and host the OAA Crossover opponent and finish the season at Troy Athens against the Red Hawks. Griffith is very confident that his Colts know what is at stake for them. "It’s kind of simple, we either run the slate or we collect equipment after that last game. It’s right there in front of us."

The Dragons improve their record to 5-1 overall and 5-0 in the OAA Red. The Dragons have a chance to clinch a share of the OAA Red Championship and make the playoffs with a win over the Troy Athens Red Hawks on Friday night for homecoming.

This is yet another big game for the Dragons, the Red Hawks come into Orion with a 5-1 record overall and 4-1 in the OAA Red. Troy Athens won 27-17 in their homecoming game against West Bloomfield last week. Bell and his crew are looking forward to the challenge of the Red Hawks coming into the Dragons Lair. "I know that Athens is huge up front. "It’s going to be a good challenge for us, but we’re looking forward to it."

Dragons finish second in Portage, take frustrations out on Rochester

Written Tuesday September 27th, at 11:08 PM

The Dragons volleyball team continued to have success this season, but sometimes second place has been very difficult to deal with and frustrating.

This weekend the Dragons went to Portage Central in Portage, near Kalamazoo to compete in a very tough pool in the Portage Central Invitational tournament, and this weekend they proved why they are ranked third in Class A.

Lake Orion knocked off six top teams in the state of Michigan from three different classes. They include Livonia Ladywood (fourth in Class B), Richland Gull Lake, Rockford (top team in Class A), Birmingham Marian (fourth in Class A), Plainwell (top team in Class B, and Fruitport (fifth in Class B) to get to the championship game against top ranked Rockford.

Sadly the third ranked Dragons ran out of gas in the final against the Rams. The Dragons suffered their sixth loss of the season when they fell 25-22 and 25-23 to the Rams.

The Dragons returned to league action after suffering the loss to Rockford in Portage took out all their anger and frustration on the Rochester Falcons in Rochester. Orion rolled past Rochester 25-20, 25-11, and 25-17 Tuesday Night.

Orion was led by Senior Shannon Murdock's 14 kills while Senior Maddie Hutchinson had 11 digs and Senior Dana Schrauben had 12 assists and five digs for the victory over the Falcons.

Lake Orion will not be done seeing Rochester's gym. They will be playing districts on Rochester's home turf along with the Falcons, Rochester Adams, Stoney Creek, and Oxford.

The Dragons are now 28-6-1 overall and 3-0 in OAA Red play, their next match is a huge one as they travel to Birmingham on October 4th and take on the Birmingham Seaholm Maples and Miss Michigan Volleyball candidate Paige Neudenfelt awaits the Dragons. The season is already underway and there are more fireworks ready to come this upcoming season

Charette Breaks School Record for Passing Touchdowns in rout of Royal Oak

Written Friday September 23rd, at 11:35 PM

It wasn't the happy homecoming that former JV football and throwing coach Ryan Irish wanted when he returned back to Lake Orion but for Senior quarterback Sean Charette this game was a special one for him.

Charette is now in Dragons lore as the team's all time touchdown passer at 60 and still counting as we speak.

Charette broke the school record for most touchdown passes in a career of a Dragon when he completed a 16 yard touchdown pass to Junior wide receiver Chaz Miller in the Dragons 49-14 rout of the Royal Oak Ravens on Friday night in Dragons Stadium.

The new all time passing touchdown leader did struggle at times throughout the game especially with his accuracy but did manage to throw four touchdowns. Charette was 11 for 19 for 229 yards and four touchdown passes. Three of them were to Miller (nine, 13, 16 respectably) and one was a 66 yard pass to Junior wide receiver Jeremy King. The Dragon running game was also strong, led by Jacob Miller's 50 yard and one yard touchdown scores. Zach Arnold scored from 30 yards out and Mike Upshaw had a five yard touchdown score completed the Dragons scoring this night.

The Ravens managed to get two touchdowns against the Dragons second and third teams respectably in the third quarter but it was well in doubt when the game was decided. Lake Orion took a 35-0 lead into the break and never looked back.

The score could have been must worse but the final score is the final score.

Lake Orion now stands at 4-1 overall and 4-0 in the OAA Red, they get ready for a grueling stretch if they want to make it to the postseason. It starts with the Troy Colts in Troy next Friday Night. The Colts come into the match up with the Dragons at 3-2 overall and 3-1 in OAA Red play, their only losses were to Romeo (16-3) and Clarkston (28-13) so it should be a war Friday Night. The Dragons return home in two weeks for Homecoming for a BIG showdown with the red hot Troy Athens Red Hawks, who are riding high at 4-1 overall and 3-1 in the OAA Red. The Red Hawks will play the Lakers of West Bloomfield next week and should be favored in that one. We'll see what happens as the Dragons continue the path toward the postseason and the promise land.

Dragons Volleyball clicking, ranked for the first time in 24 years and stock is rising.

Written Friday September 23rd, at 10:45 AM.

The Dragons Volleyball program knew they were going to be good this season but to be ranked in the state for the first time since the 1987-1988 season has never happened before.

Until now.

This week the Dragons were ranked ninth in the state poll, which pleased fifth year Dragons coach Bob Howey and his experienced troops but had they to focus on OAA Red play and Bloomfield Hills Lahser in Bloomfield Hills Tuesday night at the angle court which is Lahser.

The Dragons had no problem with the Knights, hammering them in games one and two by a combined 50-22 score (25-15, 25-7 respectably.) The third game got interesting, Howey did some experimenting with his lineup which was almost was disaster. The Dragons managed to hang on and win 28-26, ending the match at three games to none. "I switched some thing up a bit, tried some new things just to see. It really should have not been that close. Lahser is a little young this year" Howey said.

The Dragons were led by Senior's Shannon Murdock's (14), Taylor Hargraves (12)combined 26 kills. Senior Gwen Motley added 29 assists while Senior Maddie Hutchinson had 23 digs for Lake Orion.

Lake Orion's record is now 21-5-1 overall and 2-0 in OAA Red play, tied with seventh ranked Clarkston. The team's only losses being to top ranked Farmington Hills Mercy (three times), second ranked and defending state champ Birmingham Marian, and third ranked Rockford in tournaments. However the Dragons did get some revenge on Marian in Wixom in the Constellation Final.

The Dragons schedule is considered to many teams and experts as "Murders Row", very similar to that of the Southeastern Conference in football but the team has got stronger every-time they hit the court. Howey explained that the schedule is not all bad. “We beat Marian the last time we played them (In Wixom). We played Rockford in the first tournament of the season and when we played them, it was our fourth consecutive game. I think they are beatable."

The Dragons trouble has came this season is against top ranked Farmington Hills Mercy. Orion so far are 0-3 against the Marlins, something Howey is very alarmed about. "The one team we need to learn how to beat is Mercy. They have our number right now. That team is so strong defensively that they frustrate everybody. Our girls are used to kills hitting the floor. Against Mercy, they dig them out, which is why they are so tough to beat. We’ll hopefully see them again in a couple of more tournaments," Howey added on Farmington Hills Mercy.

That mindset they do. Orion had their own tournament (semifinalist, lost to Farmington Hills Mercy), played at Macomb Dakota in their tournament (semifinalist, lost to Farmington Hills Mercy), won the Hartland Tournament, and of course played in the Mercy Showcase where they played Farmington Hills Mercy, Rockford, and Birmingham Marian in Wixom.

If the playoffs and the schedule roll smoothly (districts at Rochester with Rochester, Adams, Rochester, Rochester Stoney Creek, and Oxford) in the postseason the Dragons could have another crack at the Mustangs in the regional final and that regional final is at Lake Orion to make it more interesting. "I think if we are to make a run in the postseason, then we’re going to have to learn how to beat all types of teams. We have the talent. I think if we’re going to take another step or two this season, then we still have work to do. Last year we lost to Marian in the regional finals. This year if things go right, then we’ll be in the same regional as Marian and they are beatable this season. With teams like that, you first have to believe that you can beat them. The mental side is part of it" Howey said.”

There are three big games on the OAA Red slate that are big for the Dragons. The game October 4th at Birmingham won't be easy as the team takes on the Maples of Birmingham Seaholm and probably the best player in the state in Miss Volleyball candidate Senior Paige Neudenfelt. The Dragons do have two big home dates on the schedule when the Farmington Falcons come to Orion October 6th. The Falcons have been doing really well lately and just beat Rochester Thursday Night. Farmington does have four losses, three in tournaments, and the one in the Red was to Clarkston. The statement game for the Dragons is October 18th when the seventh ranked Clarkston Wolves comes to Orion for a possible OAA Red and top ten showdown. The Wolves are a very young team but have talent every year, just like the Dragons do from the Middle School programs, travel teams, on up.

This weekend Orion will go to Portage to compete in the Portage Central Invite and see some of the top teams in the state. Birmingham Marion will also be there at that tournament, could it be round three with the Mustangs??? we'll find out. The next OAA Red match up for the team is on Tuesday when the Dragons will travel to Rochester to face a young Falcons team going through a transition of coaches and recent losses to gradation have killed the Falcons. Rochester's record coming in to the match up with Orion is 6-16, 0-2 OAA Red.

Howey tries to find tournaments that can make his team better before they go into postseason play when it all counts.“We’re playing in some of the best tournament his season and playing a bunch of great teams. Some might be against that. But I am trying to make us into a team that can consistently be ranked every season and has the talent to make a run. You can’t do that playing weak competition. We’re going to play a lot of great teams this season and hopefully that will prepare us for anything, he said.”

The Dragons have plenty of opportunities to get better and go deep this season.

It was Jeremy King Night at West Bloomfield

Written Saturday September 17th at 10:06 AM

It was the Jeremy King show Friday night at West Bloomfield.

Now we all realize that King is the kicker but he does have hands and speed as well and that was put on display and the Lakers found out the hard way.

The Dragons won 42-14 over the Lakers improving their record to 3-1 and 3-0 in the OAA Red, taking the top spot of the OAA Red.

King was seven for seven on PAT tries and caught an 18 yard and 44 yard touchdown passes from quarterback Sean Charette and King still wasn't done. King ran a five yards for another touchdown. King had three touchdowns total against Lakers defense.

Sean Charette finished the game nine for 11 passing for 174 yards and two touchdowns. Other notable performances included running back Michael Upshaw's two yard touchdown run and 42 yards on ten carries. Running back Jacob Miller had 11 carries for 56 yards and two touchdowns to complete the Dragons night scoring.

The Dragons defense did well, stopping Lakers star running back CJ Brathwaite all night along with the Lakers offense. The only touchdowns the Lakers had was against the second team but that was well in doubt that the game was already decided.

The Lakers fall to 2-2 overall and 2-1 in the OAA Red and play Troy next at home. The Dragons play Royal Oak next. The Ravens got crushed 56-0 last night by Troy Athens so it could be an interesting game.

Wolves forfeit two games, effects the OAA Red race.

Written Monday September 12th, at 11:00 PM.

This is a shocker throughout high school football, one community, the OAA red, and the entire state of Michigan.

The Clarkston Wolves had to forfeit two games this week due to an ineligible player.

The reason why the Wolves took this move was because they played an ineligible player during the first two weeks of the season (Adams and West Bloomfield.) The Clarkston athletic department and longtime athletic director Dan Fife found out that a home schooled student took an online class in the summer before arriving to Clarkston and that the paperwork wasn't in on time before the season started.

Wolves coach Kurt Richardson played him only five snaps in the two games, both Wolves victories (28-21 over the Highlanders and 34-7 over the Lakers) but didn't know that the player he played was ineligible to play until Richardson found out of the paperwork and was notified by the athletic department.

The Clarkston athletic department just found out this weekend about the incident. They had just finished the paperwork and Fife had to report it to the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA). The MHSAA agreed that the Wolves forfeit two games and that they can keep the 40-20 victory over the Red Hawks from Troy Athens last week.

For the Wolves this is a devastating setback. The red is still not lost for the Wolves, they do have a big game this Friday at Troy and if the Wolves lose to the Colts, then they must beat Rochester (road), Lake Orion (home), and the crossover opponent (home) just to have a shot at the playoffs if that was the case.

The two biggest winners of Clarkston forfeiting games is Rochester Adams and West Bloomfield. For the Highlanders it insures them of getting in the playoffs but they still have a long road with games against Oak Park, Oxford, Southfield, Harrison, and Stoney Creek looming. For the Lakers they got a win over Clarkston but this week the Lakers play the Dragons and the next week they play Troy both thankfully are at home, the two weeks for the Lakers is going to be tricky.

With Clarkston's forfeit the Wolves fall to a fourth place tie with Troy Athens at 1-1 in the Red. The Wolves do own the head to head victory over the Red Hawks but trail the Lakers, Colts, and Dragons for the OAA Red crown by a game each.

Now what does the Wolves mess all mean for Lake Orion???

It means nothing, nothing at all. The week eight match-up is likely going to be Harrison, a match up all long that the Dragons had wanted since the 28-6 disaster last season in Farmington Hills. This game could also help playoff points big time with the Hawks likely coming in unbeaten.

The Hawks will be favored big time in this game because some in the media have said that this is Harrison's best team under coach John Herrington with their skill athletes (tight end, defensive back/wide receiver and star lineman going to either Michigan or Michigan State football. They said that this Hawk team is even better than the Drew Stanton led or Mark Dell lead teams in the past 41 seasons of Harrison football and that is saying something.

However the Hawks may face some tough obstacles, besides going up to Oxford, the Hawks have not fared well north of the M-24 corridor, the Hawks are 1-2 against the Dragons in Lake Orion since entering the OAA. Also the Dragons rarely lose at home, the last loss being in 2007 to Adams. The Hawks in their past history have had some battles with the Dragons especially at Lake Orion.

The game the Dragons really must have is the Troy game on the road on October 1st. If the Dragons can win that game over the Colts then they will likely be in the postseason without having to beat Clarkston or Harrison just to get in.

OAA Football divisions need to go a new direction

Written Monday September 12th, at 6:45 PM.

This season the Oakland Activities Association's white division is one of the toughest divisions in the state with Harrison, Southfield, Oak Park, Adams, Oxford, and Farmington. The Ottawa Kent Conference red division is the most brutal division in the state with Rockford, Grand Haven, Holland-West Ottawa, and Muskegon. The Macomb Area Red division is certainly tough with Macomb Dakota, Romeo, Utica Eisenhower and Utica Ford but what about the Oakland Activities Association's red division, the same division that the Dragons are in.

The red this season is still down, even after last season's state championship by the Dragons but the schedule certainly doesn't favor them based on the competition they see.

People are going to say what is wrong with the Dragons schedule, they make the playoffs every year. It's just the fact that maybe the schedule and division is not good. The only team that has been consistency good in the red beside Lake Orion has been Clarkston. The Wolves year in and year out are always in contention, no matter what but who's fault is it???, don't blame the Dragons for the schedule they are given, blame the Oakland Activities Association for the division alignment based on enrollment.

In the OAA there were four powerhouse teams that were in the top division, OAA Division One at the time (Lake Orion, Clarkston, Rochester Adams, and Harrison.) The OAA in 2008, thanks to Birmingham Groves decided that they would split Lake Orion and Clarkston and put them in one division while Harrison and Adams played in the other division and the rest of the teams would fill in by enrollment. It meant that Lake Orion would not play Harrison or Adams every season. The OAA said it would be much easier for the big four to make playoffs and add another team to that occasion as well. The Oakland Activities Association looks at realignment every two seasons and this is the second year of the realignment period.

Maybe the Oakland Activities Association should look at what the Macomb Area Conference has done in past seasons, change the realignment based on the win-loss record and not by enrollment. It has done success for the Macomb Area Conference based on competition that sets them up nicely for playoffs. The Royal Oak Ravens is a perfect example for this. Royal Oak is a big school and currently play in the Oakland Activities Association red division for football but the blue and gold for other sports because of their win-loss record. If the win-loss record mattered then they would be in the OAA Blue, if they were in the Macomb Area Conference they would have been in the blue or the gold division.

Another idea for the OAA is to do their divisions geographically and limit travel for schools. The league already have divisions set up like this in track and baseball. The North division would be Lake Orion, Oxford, Clarkston, Rochester, Rochester Adams, Rochester Stoney Creek, Pontiac, and Avondale. The Central division would be Troy, Troy Athens, Bloomfield Hills (Andover-Lahser), West Bloomfield, Birmingham Groves, Birmingham Seaholm, Harrison, and North Farmington. The South division would be Royal Oak, Farmington, Southfield Lathrup, Southfield, Oak Park, Hazel Park, Ferndale, and Berkley.

It's just an idea but people around the state want to see the Dragons play some of the best competition but some of the teams in the red need to go down a division but who to bring up if the Pontiac's, or the West Bloomfield's, or the Royal Oak's struggle.

Even though Adams and Harrison will stay in the other division the probable teams that would move up to the red division would be Oxford, Avondale, and Farmington. Pontiac and West Bloomfield will likely move to the white and send Royal Oak to the blue with Bloomfield Hills likely to merge next season. It would be an interesting move to do so but it maybe the best interest of the league to look at that idea. Anything is possible though, we'll see what happens.

Dragons roll past Pontiac

Written Sunday September 11th, at 10:52 PM.

Nothing is ever easy in Lake Orion these days.

Since the 41-20 loss to Oxford the Dragons have started to find themselves lately in the last two weeks. Last week the Dragons handled Rochester 35-7, this week the Dragons handled Pontiac in a penalty filled game 40-12.

The Dragons are now 2-0 in the OAA Red and 2-1 overall while the Phoenix fell to 1-2 overall and 0-2 in OAA Red play.

The reason why the Dragons have won two in a row is their running game, with Jacob Miller. Miller had 79 yards on 18 carries with a touchdown while quarterback Sean Charette was a duel threat quarterback this night. Charette finished with eight rushes for 70 yards and a rushing touchdown. He was 11 for 17 for 163 yards with one touchdown and one pick. Charette's only touchdown pass was a 33 yard toss to Cory Ester.

Another reason why the Dragons have won two in a row is their defense. The last two weeks the Dragon defense have allowed 12 points and 19 points overall as a team (the one last week vs the Falcons was an offensive fumble return for a touchdown.)

The Orion defense was a force all night against the Phoenix, causing turnovers and chaos. They did not have John Gall for this game because of an injury. The defense did cause a questionable fumble from Phoenix quarterback Johnny McKnight. McKnight threw the ball which everybody on the field thought was incomplete, except for four Dragons who then ran the ball to the Pontiac end-zone. The referees concluded that defense-lineman Andrew Shafkalis caused a fumble and corner-back Jake Gardner took the ball back 51 yards for a Dragon touchdown, and put them up 14-0. Pontiac coach Brad Zube was furious with the officials and let them have it before halftime.

The defense wasn't done yet, McKnight was picked off this time by defensive lineman Jake Tebeau for a 11 yard touchdown toward the south end zone for the Dragons final points of the game.

Coach Chris Bell's Dragons committed 15 penalties in the game, mostly were called on offense and had two touchdowns called back because of penalties.

Pontiac's points came off a 69 yard run from returning running back Anthony Smith and a 24 yard touchdown pass from McKnight to Dominique Shaw. The pass was against the second team defense.

Lake Orion's next game is at West Bloomfield on Friday. The Lakers (2-1 2-0 OAA Red) beat the Royal Oak Ravens 39-21 on Friday Night.

OAA Red Football Uniforms Outlook

Written Friday September 2nd, at 10:12 AM

Hello everyone, now I am not a fashion geek and what does football uniforms have to do with football, especially Dragon football, well everything. They describe passion and determination when your team comes out onto the football field. Russel Athletic, Nike and others have done a great job with uniforms during the years, don't get me wrong. There are some football teams in the Red that have great uniforms and some that people don't like, some of them I am even critical of, so don't be offended. Just recently this season Troy Athens, West Bloomfield, and Royal Oak changed uniforms for the upcoming season.

LAKE ORION: The Dragons have always kept the traditional uniform look, last name is on the back and the font "DRAGONS" for home games and "LAKE ORION" for road games on the front. The game pants will vary but mostly it is a green-green, or white-white combination at football games, however there have been times that the Dragons have worn white top-green pants combination, (at Clarkston in 2009, at Royal Oak in 2010.) The football helmet is traditional as well, Orion has a green helmet with a green face mask, LO on both sides with two stripes on top. Lake Orion does at times wear the Nike jersey for home games along with either green pants or white pants designed by Nike but the Nike jersey does not have the names on the back.

CLARKSTON: The Wolves are a more of a mystery when it comes to their jersey. Gone are the days of last names on the back, the yellow pants, and the name CLARKSTON on the front in cursive. Enter the Wolves new look, a blue jersey, blue pants combination for home games, which they have had since 2005. The blue top has the word "WOLVES" in small lettering in cursive. The Wolves helmets are very similar to Michigan with the maize and blue look but the uniform is not like Michigan at all, it's different. In 2009 Clarkston got rid of the yellow pants and picked up a white-white combination with "CLARKSTON" in small letters for road games, it is a combination the Wolves have wore ever since.

TROY: The Colts changed jerseys in 2005, after adding more red to their jerseys. In 2007 the Colts got rid of the TC and the gray stripes on their helmets and added a colt's head to their helmets along with a red stripe with the black helmet. Troy's home jersey is black with the players last names on the back with the Colts logo on the shoulder with the "COLTS" small lettering on the front. The road jersey does not have the names on the back and has a small "TROY" lettering on the front along with the Colts logo on the shoulder. The Colts do wear black pants no matter where they play either at home or on the road and have a red stripe on the side.

ROYAL OAK: The Ravens got rid of the black shoulder yoke uniforms and lettering in exchange for a more traditional uniform with the name "RAVENS" for the home black jerseys and "ROYAL OAK" for the road. Royal Oak's new coach Jeff Hill took the name of the players off the back as he tries to change the culture around Royal Oak. The home pants are also new with black and have the blue stripe on them. Royal Oak's black helmets and face mask have not changed with the Baltimore Ravens head for their logo. Royal Oak wears a white-white with blue stripes on the side on the road this season.

ROCHESTER: The Falcons have gone through a lot but the jersey and tradition has not changed their helmets are like the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL and their jerseys are like the Wisconsin Badgers of College Football. A few seasons back the Falcons wore blue pants but have since went back to a blue-white combination for home games and white-white for road games. Both jerseys were designed by Nike. Both of them say "FALCONS" with no last names on the back and have the Nike logo on the right side. Rochester's helmet is blue with a white face mask. It has a "R" on the left side with a huge white stripe on top and are awarded helmet stickers on the right side to fill the void without the R.

WEST BLOOMFIELD: The Lakers have been a traditional team when it comes to jerseys but this season the team got a new look courtesy of Nike. The Lakers added a white stripe to their new helmet with the W.B. anchor logo on the side along with a white face mask. West Bloomfield's new jerseys does not have the player's last name on the back but does have the Nike logo on the right side and have the "LAKERS" name on the front on both jerseys. The Lakers game pants does have a line on the side of their game pants. West Bloomfield wears a green jersey with white pants at home and a white jersey with white pants on the road.

PONTIAC: The Phoenix jersey's have not changed since Pontiac Northern and Pontiac Central merged in 2009. The home jersey is a purple-purple combination with gray trim. The Phoenix wear a gray football helmet with the Phoenix logo on the side a purple face mask. The road jersey is a white jersey, white pants combination with purple trim but Pontiac at times will wear purple pants on the road. Both jerseys do not have last names on the back.

TROY ATHENS: The Red Hawks have been jersey change galore in the last five seasons. So far Troy Athens have wore basically everything, from jersey schemes, to changing the game pants, to even changing the helmet. Five seasons ago the Red Hawks wore red jerseys with gold pants and gold helmets. Two seasons ago Troy Athens wore red jerseys, red pants, and red helmets. Last season the Red Hawks wore red jerseys, red pants, and gold helmets. It doesn't help that Athens changed their logo a few times, they wore the Iowa Hawkeyes logo as their main logo last season. This season the Red Hawks bring in a new color scheme and a new logo, the all white look very similar to Nebraska with the Red Hawk logo on the side and the red stripe on the front. The jersey say "RED HAWKS" on the front with red trim down the side on the road jersey with white pants with a red big stripe on the side. The home jersey the Red Hawks wear is red with the same white pants and the white helmets.

Now jerseys doesn't tell how teams perform on the field but it gives an very interesting point when teams play each other during the season, enjoy and god bless.