OAA Picks Week 5

Written Tuesday September 18th, at 8:56 PM

Troy (3-1, 2-1 Red) at 1. Lake Orion (4-0, 3-0 Red): One of the most interesting games around the Red. Troy might return two key players to its roster and give them yet two weapons that they had when they played Romeo in week one. If they don't get them back then it could be ugly for the Colts but Troy is ready for this game, their class has not beaten Lake Orion in football in the four years as a class. Lake Orion has only allowed 14 points in the last two games but has scored 84 points during that stretch. The Colts and Dragons will be close but the advantage will go to the home team, too much speed. PICK: LAKE ORION 35, TROY 21.

2. Farmington (4-0, 3-0 White) at 3. Oak Park (4-0, 3-0 White): This is the best game in Oakland County and the OAA this week. The Knights and Falcons will be a battle for sole possession of first place in the White. Oak Park had a 24-18 win last week over Southfield while Farmington beat Oxford 19-13, both games went to overtime. The winner would have a good chance to see either Lake Orion or Clarkston in week nine. This game will be interesting but going to go with the Knights in this one. PICK: OAK PARK 30, FARMINGTON 27.

                                         

Berkley (2-2, 2-1 Blue) at 4. Avondale (4-0, 3-0 Blue): After a blowout win last week over Inkster the Yellow Jackets return to it’s home field to play the Bears. Berkley meanwhile fell to Birmingham Seaholm 27-9 at home last week. This could get very ugly for the Bears. PICK: AVONDALE 27, BERKLEY 8.

5. Lahser (4-0, 4-0 Blue) at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (4-0, 2-0 CHSL): This is an awful match up for the Knights, traveling to Pontiac to play a red hot Fighting Irish team. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep did beat Almont in week one. Expect a battle between two good teams but this game will go to the home team. PICK: PONTIAC NOTRE DAME PREP 35, LAHSER 28.

6. Clarkston (4-0, 3-0 Red) at Stoney Creek (2-2, 1-2 Red): The Wolves have had first half issues but have continued to blow out their opponents like Lake Orion but they have not been tested yet. The Cougars won’t have their starting quarterback for another week and they were just blown out by the Dragons last week. This won’t be close. PICK: CLARKSTON 35, STONEY CREEK 14.

7. Seaholm (4-1, 4-0 Blue): Bye

Southfield (2-2, 1-2 White) at 8. Harrison (3-1, 2-1 White): This match up will be a battle of speed and skill. The Blue Jays need this win in the worst way if they want to have a shot of returning to the playoffs. The Hawks are in good shape to do some damage after destroying North Farmington last week. Last year the Hawks went into Southfield and won by two touchdowns, this year it will be quite the opposite in a minor upset. PICK: SOUTHFIELD 28, HARRISON 14.

Pontiac (1-3, 1-2 Red) at 9. Rochester (3-1, 2-1 Red): The Falcons are quietly moving up in the Red standings. Rochester better not be looking ahead to Lake Orion next week and focus on the Phoenix. Pontiac lost 24-13 last week to Troy. The Phoenix could give them a game but it won’t be enough to beat the Falcons. PICK: ROCHESTER 27, PONTIAC 14.

Royal Oak (0-4, 0-3 Blue) at 10. Hazel Park (3-1, 3-1 Blue): The Vikings have won three in a row since the loss to Avondale in the first week of the season. Hazel Park should be confident heading into a match up against a struggling Ravens squad. Next week will be tough when Birmingham Detroit Country Day comes for a visit but the Vikings will enjoy this one. PICK: HAZEL PARK 40, ROYAL OAK 7.

Adams (1-3, 1-2 White) at Oxford (2-2, 2-1 White): This is a big game for both teams. The Highlanders are still facing elimination this week after a win over Southfield Lathrup. The Wildcats return back to the blue turf after suffering a tough loss at Farmington. The last time Adams played at Oxford they eliminated the Wildcats from the playoffs now Oxford has that opportunity to return the favor and end Adams playoff streak that has last 15 years. PICK: OXFORD 31, ADAMS 27.

Troy Athens (0-4, 0-3 Red) at West Bloomfield (1-3, 0-3 Red): This battle is interesting but the Lakers only win was at home while the Red Hawks just could not catch a break but this week could be their opportunity in a low scoring game. PICK: TROY ATHENS 20, WEST BLOOMFIELD 17.

North Farmington (1-3, 0-3 White) at Southfield Lathrup (1-3, 0-3 White) At least someone has to win this game. The home team will. PICK: LATHRUP 24, NORTH FARMINGTON 20.

Groves (0-4, 0-4 Blue) at Ferndale (1-3, 1-3 Blue): The week to clear their minds is exactly what the Eagles needed after an 0-3 start. Ferndale did get a forfeit win last week against Andover, who hasn’t played in two weeks. The Falcons put up 33 points against the Vikings and still lost. I think the Eagles will be ready and win by three scores. PICK: FERNDALE 40, GROVES 20.