All Hope is NOT lost even though the Dragons fell to Oxford 41-20

Written Saturday August 27th, at 1:40 AM

The defending Michigan High School Division One State champion Lake Orion Dragons kicked off their state title defense against the Oxford Wildcats on the "Navy Blue Turf" on Friday night at Oxford.

However the result and things did not go the Dragons way.

In kicking off the 2011 season the Dragons were rattled at Wildcats Stadium as the Dragons defense allowed a season high 270 rushing yards in a 41-20 loss to the Wildcats on the first Friday Night of the Michigan High School Football season.

The Wildcats were led by SMU recruit Prescott Line who scored five of the Wildcats six touchdowns and had 225 yards on 25 carries in the process. Line did get some help in the form of Central Michigan bound offensive lineman Colin Gotez who created holes for Line to run all night long. Oxford never trailed in the contest.

The Dragons were led by quarterback Sean Charette who was 22 for 33 for 280 yards and three touchdowns and two interceptions. Wide receiver Chaz Miller had two scores from 15 yards and 39 yards, wide receiver Robert Aiello had the other Dragon touchdown in the contest. Kicker Jeremy King was two for three in PAT's. Also didn't help the Dragons cause were three turnovers, one fumble and two interceptions.

The Dragons are now 0-1 on the season but is this uncommon for them???, no. This is the third time that Sean Charette has lost the first game as a quarterback heading into a new season (Rockford 17-7 (2008), Hudsonville 29-25 (2009), Oxford 41-20 (2011). The Dragons have recovered to have a successful season each time under his watch.

The panic meter is high in Lake Orion, especially on both offensive and defensive lines who struggled all night. The Dragon defense, who looked like a normal shell of themselves, they were not physical, got manhandled, allowed 41 points, and allowed over 270 rushing yards. The Lake Orion offense was one dimensional, the Wildcats shut down the Dragons ground attack all night and forced Charette to throw the ball. The Dragons did not look right tonight, even with only four starters back from the 2010 MHSAA State Championship team.

Tonight's game against Oxford was not a good night for the Dragons. Wildcat fans, players, and students stormed the field in celebrating their first win over the Dragons in over 30 years and taking back the Double O trophy in the process. The Wildcats last season fell to the Dragons 45-6 in Orion.

The game next Thursday against Rochester (1-0) is a must win situation. If they don't win that game over the Falcons then there is that chance the Dragons may not make the playoffs. Rochester handled Lance Cruise North 42-13 in week one and is looking to continue the momentum to Dragon Country. The Dragons will return home and play both Rochester and Pontiac at home for weeks two and three.