Oxford likely to jump into Division One this fall for Playoffs

Written Saturday June 1st, at 12:00 PM

The Orion/Oxford rivalry may be here to stay.

With student enrollment rising at Oxford, the Wildcats will likely make the jump from Division Two to Division One for the playoffs.

That means Oxford could play Lake Orion in the state playoffs if the case if both teams make it. Lake Orion is one of the favorites in the Red while Oxford is one of the favorites in the White this season.

What makes it possible is proximity, both Lake Orion and Oxford are only separated by six miles north on Lapeer Road. Also there is a possibility that Lapeer could join into Division One as well once Lapeer East and Lapeer West merges in 2014 which could really make things sticky not to mention the possibility of facing Clarkston, Davison, Romeo, and Grand Blanc on a consistent basis.

But before we talk playoffs both the Dragons and Wildcats have to play each other this August at Oxford. Also in play is that they could meet once again at Lake Orion in the crossover in week nine.

So in retrospect they could play each other three times this season.

Another factor is that both the Dragons and Wildcats have tough schedules in 2013, Lake Orion has a real brutal road slate with games at Oxford, Stoney Creek, and Clarkston, and they host the crossover. Oxford has to play Lake Orion and Southfield at home but has to go to Adams, Harrison, Oak Park, and the crossover.

It could give a reason for both teams not to play each other week one if they are in different divisions. Lake Orion this season is in the Red while Oxford is in the White.

I think there will be some real ramifications if Oxford makes the jump to Division One. It could create a domino affect especially in Division Two, it could mean that Birmingham Brother Rice moves north to see Adams in a district but it might happen, it might not who knows but that possibility is real.

Another possibility is that if the OAA realigns next season, there is the possibility by both enrollment and geographical that Oxford and Lake Orion will be in the same division in 2014, joining the likes of Clarkston, Stoney Creek, Rochester, Troy, and Troy Athens.

Well it could very well mean that the rivalry is here to stay.