OAA Picks: Week Five.

Written Sunday September 22nd, at 9:30 PM

1. Stoney Creek (4-0, 3-0 Red) at 4. Clarkston (3-1, 2-1 Red): The Cougars just off an emotional 36-7 blowout win over Lake Orion is riding high right now but heading into Clarkston with a healthy Ian Erickson could be a difference in this game. Stoney Creek was up by two touchdowns last season before losing it late 28-21 to Clarkston. If Stoney Creek can get this game at Clarkston then they would be the first team since 2011 when Oxford beat both Lake Orion and Clarkston in the same season. If the Cougars have the same emotion along with everytime when they blitzed occasionally on defense in the Lake Orion game and bring it to Clarkston then they could do it again for the second straight week. The Wolves like the Dragons have struggled against veer and triple option teams in the past and Clarkston has already lost to a team that has run a veer option already (Adams.) The Cougars will exact revenge for last season’s loss to Clarkston with a win here. PICK: STONEY CREEK 35, CLARKSTON 28.

2. Farmington Hills Harrison (4-0, 3-0 White) at 3. Southfield (3-1, 3-0 White) (4 PM): The Blue Jays beat Oak Park 20-12 last week but the Hawks have wins over Rochester Adams and Oxford but they were at home. Southfield’s only loss was to Detroit Cass Tech and that team is very good. This will be a good test for Harrison. History favors the road team in this series with the Blue Jays winning last season in Farmington Hills and the Hawks winning in Southfield two seasons ago. The Hawks are the road team in this game but it will change in the Blue Jays favor because of experience. PICK: SOUTHFIELD 28, HARRISON 21.

5. Oak Park (3-1, 2-1 White) at Farmington (1-3, 1-2 White): The Knights lost a tough one to Southfield for their home opener last week but they get to travel to Farmington to meet the Falcons who lost to Oxford last week after leading 28-21 before the Wildcats scored two touchdowns to beat Farmington 35-28. The Falcons are the most desperate team here but the Knights will prevail here in Farmington because of Shane Kelley. PICK: OAK PARK 40, FARMINGTON 18.

6. Lake Orion (3-1, 2-1 Red) vs. Troy (2-2, 2-1 Red) (Saturday 6 PM at Ford Field): The Dragons were humiliated last week 36-7 by Stoney Creek has concerns at quarterback and also at middle linebacker. The offense and defense were exposed big time in that game but the situation with Connor Grant is unknown at this time whether he will play or not. The Colts survived Pontiac 20-13 last week has a pretty good defense along with a good quarterback in Jay Darish along with his wide receiver targets. I think the team that is most ticked will win this game and that right now is Lake Orion. PICK: LAKE ORION 21, TROY 13.

Royal Oak (2-2, 2-1 Blue) at 7. Birmingham Seaholm (4-0, 3-0 Blue): The Maples have been playing very well lately and have big wins at Avondale and North Farmington. Birmingham Seaholm better not take a team that has been 4-45 since 2007 lightly. The Ravens have already doubled their win total and should make it interesting but in the end it will be too much Maples for the Ravens. PICK: SEAHOLM 49, ROYAL OAK 14.

10. North Farmington (3-1, 2-1 Blue) at 8. Beverly Hills Wylie E. Groves (4-0, 3-0 Blue): In another battle of two star running backs between the Raiders Chauncey Bridges and the Falcons Ross Williams. Who ever wins the defensive battle will win this game. I like the home team here because they already shut down Josh Holloman of Avondale last week in a win over the Yellow Jackets. PICK: GROVES 49, NORTH FARMINGTON 20.

9. Oxford (2-2, 2-1 White) at Rochester Adams (2-2, 1-2 White): This is a huge game for both teams if they want to make the playoffs and both their schedules are very difficult. Adams still has to play at Southfield while Oxford has to play Southfield at home and at Oak Park. The Highlanders have already beaten Clarkston (12-7) and might have a better resume than the Wildcats right now because of that win. You have a star studded match up between quarterbacks Matt Sokol of Adams and Glacier Wallington of Oxford. I think the wildcard here maybe Mitchell Tilley, if he gets going than Oxford will be just fine if not then the Wildcats are in trouble. I like Oxford here in this game because they are very desperate but it will be really close. PICK: OXFORD 38, ADAMS 35 IN TRIPLE OVERTIME.

Rochester (2-2, 1-2 Red) at Pontiac (0-4, 0-3 Red): The Phoenix battled hard last week and almost knocked off Troy 20-13 who was without quarterback Jay Darish. Rochester had to survive a two touchdown rally to beat West Bloomfield 33-26 last week. The Falcons have more senior laden talent on the field and should be in good shape but it will be close again like it always has been in this series. PICK: ROCHESTER 37, PONTIAC 32.

Berkley (1-3, 1-2 Blue) at Avondale (2-2, 1-2 Blue): Hard to say that the Yellow Jackets defense in two of the last three games have been awful. The Bears have some talent and fought well until the very end with Birmingham Seaholm. The reward for Berkley will be an upset victory in Auburn Hills. PICK: BERKLEY 49, AVONDALE 35.

West Bloomfield (1-3, 0-3 Red) at Troy Athens (1-3, 1-2 Red): The Red Hawks won their last home game over Pontiac now they get the Lakers. West Bloomfield battled Rochester to the very end last week. The Lakers emotion will get them a big win this week in Troy. If Tristan Jackson plays then it could be much worse than the predicted score indicated. PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD 27, TROY ATHENS 17.

Southfield-Lathrup (1-3, 0-3 White) at Bloomfield Hills (0-4, 0-3 White): This maybe the Blackhawks best chance to get a win this season. If not then it could be an even longer year. The Chargers took a step back since beating Pontiac but Bloomfield Hills took a better step last week against Harrison. I’m going with the team with most experience in the White. You can make a guess. PICK: SOUTHFIELD-LATHRUP 28, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 20.

Hazel Park (0-4, 0-3 Blue) at Ferndale (0-4, 0-3 Blue): Someone has to win the pillow fight of the week here. Both teams have lost to Royal Oak and both teams have not seen Birmingham Seaholm yet. I like Hazel Park in this game to get its first win of the season in a high scoring affair. PICK: HAZEL PARK 56, FERNDALE 42.