OAA Recap Week Nine

Written Saturday October 20th, at 2:20 AM

Dragons Den Top 10 Final Poll:

1. Clarkston (9-0, 7-0 Red)

2. Lake Orion (8-1, 6-1 Red)

3. Seaholm (8-1, 8-0 Blue)

4. Avondale (8-1, 7-1 Blue)

5. Oxford (6-3, 5-2 White)

6. Oak Park (7-2, 6-1 White)

7. Southfield (6-3, 4-3 White)

8. Harrison (6-3, 4-3 White)

9. Lahser (6-3, 6-2 Blue)

10. Farmington (6-3, 5-2 White)

BIGGEST WIN OF THE NIGHT: Oxford 34, Troy 20: The Wildcats and Colts both entered at 5-3. Oxford was healthy while Troy missed its two best running backs. The Wildcats won tonight and clinched a playoff spot in the process. The Colts will likely miss the playoffs for a third straight season.

TOUGHEST LOSS: Southfield 25, Stoney Creek 15: It’s rough that one of these two teams will make the playoffs and one will miss out. The Blue Jays are in the postseason yet again and could be dangerous in the postseason. For Stoney Creek, next season they are going to be very good and they will be motivated to get to the postseason.

MOST DISSAPOINTING TEAM: Rochester: The Falcons were 5-2 heading into its city rivals Stoney Creek and Adams. They lost to both of these teams with its playoff spot on the line. Rochester was outscored 66-21 in the final two games. The point total so low, it’s going to be very difficult for Rochester to make a case why they should be in the playoffs.

TEAM THAT NEEDS A HUG: Oak Park: The Knights were unbeaten until Oxford beat them last week and then this week Clarkston destroyed Oak Park by three touchdowns. That’s not a good way to enter the playoffs like that especially in a district where you could see Brother Rice, Harrison, or Southfield in.

Red Standings:

1. Clarkston                 7-0       9-0

2. Lake Orion               6-1       8-1

Troy                             4-3       5-4

Stoney Creek               4-3       5-4

Rochester                     4-3       5-4

West Bloomfield           1-6       2-7

Troy Athens                 0-7       2-7

Pontiac                         1-6       1-8

White Standings:

6. Oak Park                 6-1       7-2

5. Oxford                     5-2       6-3

10. Farmington             5-2       6-3

7. Southfield                 4-3       6-3

8. Harrison                   4-3       6-3

Adams                         3-5       4-5

North Farmington         1-6       3-6

Lathrup                        0-7       1-8

Blue Standings:

3. Seaholm                   8-0       8-1

4. Avondale                  7-1       8-1

9. Lahser                      6-2       6-3

Berkley                        5-3       5-4

Hazel Park                   4-4       4-5

Ferndale                       2-6       3-6

Groves                         2-6       2-7

Royal Oak                    1-7       1-8

Andover                       0-9       0-9

White Lake Lakeland’s 35-32 loss to Milford opens the door for Walled Lake Western and Temperance Bedford to creep into Division One. The Running Mules will likely be with arch rival Monroe in the playoffs. The Warriors join fellow Walled Lake school Walled Lake Northern. The Warriors could meet Clarkston in the playoffs if they go into Division One. If Walled Lake Western stays in Division Two then they could meet either Harrison or Farmington in the playoffs.

The team I think is very dangerous if they get in is Grand Blanc. The Bobcats went into Plymouth and blew out the Wildcats 34-6. Grand Blanc is now 5-4 and has 68 points. Throughout the season, they have been a mystery team especially with the talent and expectations the Bobcats have had in recent seasons. They were blown out by both Livonia Churchill and lost week one to Flint Carman Ainsworth the first two weeks of the season. The win tonight over Plymouth is huge, especially with it on the road. Grand Blanc’s four losses were to playoff teams this season (Flint Carman Ainsworth, Livonia Churchill, Hartland, and Walled Lake Western.) The Bobcats will be the first 5-4 team in the playoffs and could rematch Flint Carman Ainsworth in Flint in the first round of the playoffs.

I can see four 5-4 teams getting into the playoffs for Division One, (Romeo (65), Grand Blanc (68), Chippewa Valley (64), and Novi Detroit Catholic Central if they lose.) Howell has to play Jackson Lutheran Christi, and that won’t be a pretty game for the Highlanders. If Howell wins then they are in the playoffs but the bad news is Jackson Lutheran Christi is 8-0. If Novi Detroit Catholic Central wins against Orchard Lake St. Mary’s in the Prep Bowl at Ford Field again (beat them last week at Orchard Lake) then they are in the playoffs.