OAA Recap Week Three. Week Four should be interesting

Written Saturday August 8th, at 1:40 AM

This week was the expected and the unexpected games however some games were just baffled especially out of the OAA. Rochester Adams is 0-3 and could be eliminated from playoff contention if they lose to Lathrup next week. The schedule is brutal for the Highlanders though they have to play Oxford and Farmington on the road and Southfield at home. It will not be an easy road for the Highlanders. Southfield, Lake Orion, Lahser, Avondale, Berkley all won their contests by blowouts. Clarkston overcame a sluggish first half to beat Rochester and Oxford, Oak Park, Troy, Hazel Park, and Pontiac all won their games close.

Dragons Den Top 10:

1. Lake Orion   3-0, 2-0 Red

2. Farmington   3-0, 2-0 White

3. Oak Park     3-0, 2-0 White

4. Avondale      3-0, 3-0 Blue

5. Lahser          3-0, 3-0 Blue

6. Clarkston     3-0, 2-0 Red

7. Oxford         2-1, 2-0 White

8. Seaholm       2-1, 2-0 Blue

9. Southfield     2-1, 1-1 White

10. Harrison     2-1, 1-1 White

BIGGEST WIN OF THE WEEK: Oak Park 34, Adams 22: The Knights came into the game wanting revenge after a last season loss to the Highlanders in Knight Valley. With this win now Oak Park has not only tied its win total from a year ago but they could make the postseason for the first time since 2002. For the Highlanders they must win out to have any shot of making the playoffs for a 16^th consecutive season and the schedule is not pretty for Adams. The Highlanders have to travel to Oxford and Farmington but do get Southfield at home.

SHOCKER OF THE WEEK: Oxford 34, Harrison 31 Double O/T: The Wildcats used a potent ground attack and came back from a 21-7 halftime deficit to force overtime, tied 21-21. In the first overtime both teams traded touchdowns then in double overtime the Hawks kicked a field goal while the Wildcats scored a touchdown to win it. Oxford now moves on its revenge tour next week to Farmington to play the Falcons. The Hawks must regroup and play North Farmington next week.

STRUGGLE OF THE WEEK: Clarkston 24, Rochester 0: Both teams made mistakes time and time again but Clarkston as the favorite wore the Falcons down with their depth. The Wolves led 6-0 at halftime before a 53 yard field goal helped Clarkston pull the game away. Clarkston moves onto play Troy Athens next week while Rochester hosts West Bloomfield.

TEAM THAT NEEDS A HUG: Stoney Creek: After two good wins over Royal Oak and Pontiac many felt that this was a big game for the Cougars against a depleted Colts team who had lost to Rochester last week however the Cougars couldn't capitalize on the opportunity at hand. Troy went on to beat Stoney Creek 19-14 in Rochester behind a daunting rushing attack. Stoney Creek now has the daunting task of traveling to Lake Orion next week and host Clarkston in two weeks. If Stoney Creek can win out and beat either Lake Orion or Clarkston then they could return to the playoffs.

DISSAPOINTMENT OF THE WEEK: Ferndale: The Eagles started the season with high expectations with a strong defense however the defense has not shown up to par and Ferndale suffered yet another defeat, this time to Hazel Park 26-20 in overtime.The Vikings were suppose to be the bottom feeders of the Blue this season. Ferndale still has to play Berkley and Detroit Henry Ford Creative Studies Academy at home and Avondale on the road to closeout it’s season With this much talent it’s disappointing for Eagles fans that if they don’t win out then they will miss the playoffs yet again.

Top 5 Games of the Week for Week Four:

# 7 Oxford at # 2 Farmington: Bud Riley and Oxford should be riding an emotional high after a huge win last week over Harrison in double overtime but to those who were on the team remember real well the last time Oxford and Farmington played. Last season on the blue turf at Oxford, the Wildcats overcame a 24-7 deficit and took a 31-24 lead with a minute left in the game however the Falcons scored a touchdown with eight seconds left and went for two to win 32-31 and stun the Wildcats nation. Oxford wants revenge for this game and is confident they can get this one in Farmington.

# 3 Oak Park at # 9 Southfield: The Jays took down the Knights last season in blowout fashion in Knight Valley however now Oak Park is improved and is a very dangerous team with a very good core group of players. There will be plenty of speed for this game and who ever wins in the battle of the trenches will win this game. Also this game has huge implications in the White thus Southfield already lost to Farmington while Oak Park still has to travel to Farmington to play the Falcons in week five.

Stoney Creek at # 1 Lake Orion: The Cougars did suffer a tough setback to Troy and lost their starting quarterback during the game. Now Stoney Creek has to travel to Lake Orion to play the Dragons in week four and then they host Clarkston in week five. This will be a very difficult two weeks for Stoney Creek having to face the two top teams in the Red. If the Cougars want to make the playoffs they have to beat either Lake Orion or Clarkston and win out the rest of their games to get to the promise land.

# 8 Seaholm at Berkley: The Maples return to Blue play after falling to Detroit Country Day 35-21 at home last week. The Bears come in at 2-1 and have scored 122 points against Blue opponents while 14 against Saginaw. This will be an interesting test for both teams if they want to make the playoffs and also that this will be Seaholm's first road game of the season and it will be at Hurley Field. Berkley and Seaholm both come into this game at 2-0 in the Blue and 2-1 overall with both teams losing their respective non league games. (Berkley: Saginaw. Seaholm: Birmingham Detroit Country Day.)

Inkster at # 4 Avondale: This is not the same Inkster team that has been powerhouses of the past since Greg Carter left Inkster to go to Oak Park. The Yellow Jackets are red hot on offense, averaging 45.3 points per game and is coming in at 3-0 and 3-0 in the Blue. This could be interesting for both teams and especially for Avondale.

OAA Red Standings:

1. Lake Orion   3-0, 2-0

6. Clarkston     3-0, 2-0

Troy                 2-1, 1-1

Stoney Creek   2-1, 1-1

Rochester         2-1, 1-1

Pontiac             1-2, 1-1

W.B.                1-2, 0-2

Athens              0-3, 0-2

Stoney Creek at 1. Lake Orion

6. Clarkston at Athens

Pontiac at Troy

West Bloomfield at Rochester

OAA White Standings:

2. Farmington   3-0, 2-0

3. Oak Park     3-0, 2-0

7. Oxford         2-1, 2-0

9. Southfield     2-1, 1-1

10. Harrison     2-1, 1-1

N.F.                 1-2, 0-2

Lathrup            1-2, 0-2

Adams             0-3, 0-2

7. Oxford at 2. Farmington

3. Oak Park at 9. Southfield

North Farmington at 10. Harrison

Lathrup at Adams

OAA Blue Standings:

4. Avondale      3-0, 3-0

5. Lahser          3-0, 3-0

8. Seaholm       2-1, 2-0

Berkley            2-1, 2-0

Hazel Park       1-2, 1-2

Royal Oak        0-3, 0-2

Ferndale           0-3, 0-3

Groves             0-3, 0-3

Andover           0-3, 0-3

Inkster at 4. Avondale

5. Lahser at Royal Oak

8. Seaholm at Berkley

Ferndale at Andover

Hazel Park at Groves

Other Upsets around the State:

The biggest shock around the state came from Macomb County and in the MAC Red when Chippewa Valley shocked Utica Eisenhower 21-7 at Chippewa Valley. The Big Reds honored one of their fallen classmates who passed away from cancer. A lot of experts expected that the Eagles to do well under their new coach and their experience. Eisenhower was projected to run away with the MAC Red championship but now it could be a race between Eisenhower, Macomb Dakota, and Chippewa Valley. It is possible that this match up could be a district preview as now the Big Reds are in play along with Macomb Dakota, Romeo, and the Eagles will make the postseason for the MAC Red.

Hard to believe that both Grand Blanc and Rockford are 1-2 this season. Rockford was going to be young and lost a lot of talent from teams that went to the state semifinals the last four of five seasons. Grand Blanc is a different story, though. The Bobcats have a lot of Division One talent but haven't been able to pull it together. If they lose two more games they won't be able to make the playoffs.

The Bobcats just got a huge win at Milford on Friday night 35-13 over the Mavericks That win sent Grand Blanc’s record to 1-2 and 1-0 in the Kensington Lakes West Division. The Bobcats still have games against Brighton, Howell, Pickeny, and Hartland during the season.

On the west side of the state, the Rockford Rams fell to the Muskegon Big Reds 27-9 in Rockford on Friday night. The Rams did lose their starting quarterback with an injury and his status for the Jenison game is unknown. Rockford still has to play Hudsonville, Grand Haven, and Holland West Ottawa during the season.

Both teams should make the playoffs and probably expect Grand Blanc to either be paired in a district with  Flint Carman Ainsworth and deal with the west side of the state or put them in a district that involves Lake Orion, Clarkston, and Davison. Rockford will be with Greenville, Lansing Holt, and Traverse City West in a district.

The OAA has some interesting match-ups next week for week four. We'll see what happens next week. Take care everyone.