OAA Picks Week Eight

Written Tuesday October 9th, at 10:20 PM

All games are 7 PM unless otherwise:

3. Clarkston (7-0, 6-0 Red) at 1. Lake Orion (7-0, 6-0 Red): The Dragons and Wolves have a lot to play for, the Red, playoff positioning, etc. Lake Orion has a strong running game, five deep while Clarkston features a 1,000 yard rusher and a big offensive line. I think this will be a clock possession game, Clarkston likes to run power, trap, iso, mis-direction, and halfback and fullback dive. Lake Orion is a jet sweep team, so this will be interesting, this game will be close and come down to the wire yet again but I think the Dragons have way too much balance for the Wolves to handle, this could be part one, part two will be in the playoffs. PICK: LAKE ORION 21, CLARKSTON 14.

2. Oak Park (7-0, 6-0 White) at 9. Oxford (4-3, 4-2 White): This match up will be the Knights biggest test of the season. Oak Park will have to travel a long 45 minutes to get to Oxford. The Wildcats have to win just to keep its playoff hopes alive. The Knights need to win this game to keep its undefeated season intact. I think the Wildcats will live another day and upset Oak Park on the blue turf. PICK: OXFORD 28, OAK PARK 26.

4. Seaholm (6-1, 6-0 Blue) at Hazel Park (4-3, 4-2 Blue): The Maples won an emotional game last week at Lahser but it’s defense, who was one of the best defenses in Oakland Country was exposed as well in making it a shootout. Seaholm’s defense will regain its pride this week against the Vikings. Hazel Park has to beat Avondale and Seaholm both at home just to make the playoffs which will be tough. PICK: SEAHOLM 45, HAZEL PARK 10.

Harrison (4-3, 3-3 White) at 5. Farmington (6-1, 5-1 White): Last season the Falcons were fighting for their lives to get into the playoffs while the Hawks were undefeated. This season the roles are reversed with the Hawks fighting to get into the playoffs while the Falcons are riding high since its loss to Oak Park. Harrison won this game last year blowing out Farmington, this season Farmington will do the same and bring victory to nine mile and Orchard Lake along with putting the Hawks playoff chances on life support. PICK: FARMINGTON 35, HARRISON 21.

6. Rochester (5-2, 4-2 Red) at 10. Stoney Creek (4-3, 3-3 Red): This rivalry match up has so many distractions for the Cougars with the incident last week against West Bloomfield but Stoney Creek will be ready for Rochester. Stoney Creek returns to the Dragons Den top 10 rankings at number 10 while Rochester enters in at number six. I think the Falcons will come in loose knowing that they have two opportunities to make the playoffs. Stoney Creek needs this game in the worst way. This is a city rivalry but the folks from Tienken and Sheldon roads will find a way to keep its playoff hopes alive in a shootout. PICK: STONEY CREEK 35, ROCHESTER 31.

7. Avondale (6-1, 5-1 Blue) at 8. Lahser (5-2, 4-2 Blue): The Knights are coming off a tough home loss against Birmingham Seaholm. The Yellow Jackets blew out the Polar Bears of Highland Park 41-0 last week. This is the last regular season game played at Lahser and the Knights will go out on top and return to the playoffs over Avondale. PICK: LAHSER 31, AVONDALE 17.

Troy Athens (1-6, 1-5) at Troy (4-3, 3-3 Red): The Colts have been outscored 66-0 by both Lake Orion and Clarkston. Troy had four opportunities to score last week against Clarkston but couldn't score on any of them. I’m skeptical to pick the upset here but Troy could very well go down to Troy Athens in this rivalry game. The Colts need to win this game just to make the playoffs as well as the crossover. This game will make the Red Hawks disappointing season if they win over it’s in city rival and take them out of the playoffs. PICK:  TROY 20, TROY ATHENS 15.

Pontiac (1-6, 1-5 Red) at West Bloomfield (1-6, 0-6 Red): The Lakers have had a rough week and a rough season with the six losses and the incident with Stoney Creek at Rochester. It won’t get any easier against the Phoenix. This could get much worse for head coach Ronald Bellamy. I can see the Lakers heading to 1-7. PICK: PONTIAC 56, WEST BLOOMFIELD 35.

Southfield (4-3, 3-3 White) at Lathrup (1-6, 0-6 White) (4 PM): This season’s Southfield team has been a Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde team, two weeks ago the Blue Jays beat Oxford and Harrison then last week they shockingly lost to Adams by two touchdowns. Southfield should win this week against its in city rival the Chargers in Lathrup Village if they want to make the playoffs yet again, they have to win out. PICK: SOUTHFIELD 48, LATHRUP 6.

North Farmington (2-5, 1-5 White) at Adams (2-5, 1-5 White): It’s hard to believe that both of these teams have the same record right now but it’s Adams homecoming and the Highlanders should prepare to dance the night way with a victory over the Raiders. PICK: ADAMS 35, NORTH FARMINGTON 7.

Berkley (3-4, 3-3 Blue) at Ferndale (3-4, 2-4 Blue): Berkley and Ferndale have been disappointing this season. The Bears have snapped a three game losing streak with a win last week over Hazel Park. The Eagles are 3-1 since its overtime loss to Hazel Park but that loss was to Royal Oak who is also a one win team. The winner could make a late season push at the playoffs and that schedule favors the Bears. PICK: BERKLEY 28, FERNDALE 20.

Owosso (4-3, 3-2 Capital Activities Association Red) at Groves (2-5, 2-5 Blue): The Falcons scored 80 points and won over Royal Oak. The allowed 59 points to the Ravens and still won. This week they will allow 50 points and still lose to the Trojans. Owosso will go to the playoffs at 6-3 and Groves will just be another victim to the Trojans. PICK: OWOSSO 42, GROVES 14.

Detroit Country Day (6-1) at Royal Oak (1-6, 1-5 Blue): The Ravens scored 59 points and still lost. The good news is that Royal Oak found a game to replace Andover but the problem is this isn't Andover and another loss is likely for Royal Oak. PICK: DETROIT COUNTRY DAY 45, ROYAL OAK 21.