OAA Picks Week Three

Written Monday September 9th, at 12:10 AM

All games are on Friday at 7 PM except noted.

West Bloomfield at 1. Lake Orion: The Lakers have athletes led by sophomore quarterback Trishton Jackson but the Dragons as well have athletes as well in the form of Zach Arnold, Chris Leigh, Dominic Giovinazzo among others. West Bloomfield had an early 12-7 lead on Clarkston only to be outscored 34-6 by the Wolves last week. The Dragons handled Troy Athens 40-7 last week despite the fact they had one mistake on offense. Lake Orion being at home and having more playmakers and more depth should win this one but it could be close for a half. PICK: LAKE ORION 42, WEST BLOOMFIELD 12.

2. Oak Park at Rochester Adams: The Knights are 2-0 after winning over Orchard Lake St. Marys and then last week at Southfield-Lathrup. Oak Park has been rolling led by running back John Kelly however is 0-4 north of M-59 since coach Greg Carter came to Knight Valley. The Highlanders lost 20-7 to Harrison last week but beat Clarkston 12-7 two weeks ago behind quarterback Matt Sokol. Adams offense has only scored 19 points this season and might need to score more points if they want to compete with Oak Park. I personally think the Highlanders will control the clock in this game with their veer offense and keep Oak Park’s high octane offense off the field this but the Knights will somehow survive in Rochester and snap the streak. PICK: OAK PARK 12, ADAMS 6.

3. Stoney Creek at Troy: The schedule has been such a mismatch for the Cougars so far early in the season but that’s about to change with the Colts. Troy has played Romeo and Rochester while Stoney Creek has played Royal Oak and Pontiac. I have fears that the Cougars maybe looking ahead to the Lake Orion and Clarkston games but they remember what happened last season when Troy eliminated Stoney Creek 19-14 in Rochester costing Stoney Creek from making the playoffs. I think this will be a close game with the Colts needing this game more that I’m going with an upset in this one. PICK: TROY 26, STONEY CREEK 20 IN OVERTIME.

7. Oxford at 4. Harrison (Thursday): The Hawks have had a nice home schedule so far and beat Rochester Adams 20-7 last week. The Wildcats put 62 on Bloomfield Hills last week but lost to 35-30 to Lake Orion two weeks ago. Harrison lost to Oxford 34-31 in overtime last season on the blue turf. In a battle of two powerful rushing attacks with the Wildcats Ben Line and the Hawks Lorenzo Collins. Whoever wins the quarterback battle between Oxford’s Glacier Wallington and Harrison’s Jevon Shaw should win the game. I’m going with the team that is less likely to have a letdown and experience and that’s the Wildcats. PICK: OXFORD 31, HARRISON 21.

8. North Farmington at 5. Birmingham Seaholm (Thursday): Last week Raiders running back Chauncey Bridges had a big game against Berkley but the Maples put 56 on Avondale in Auburn Hills. North Farmington has played much tougher competition if you count last season when they were in the White. Birmingham Seaholm beat Ann Arbor Pioneer two weeks ago in Birmingham and has a stellar defense. I like the Maples at home over the Raiders in this one putting a stranglehold on the Blue in a close game early. PICK: SEAHOLM 21, NORTH FARMINGTON 7.

Bloomfield Hills at 6. Southfield (Friday 4 PM): The Blue Jays home opener will be a happy one against a Blackhawks team that allowed 62 points last week to Oxford. Southfield put 32 up on Farmington last week in a 32-7 win and will put more points up this week. PICK: SOUTHFIELD 56, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 7.

Ferndale at 9. Beverly Hills Wylie E. Groves (Thursday): Running back Ross Willams will send the Falcons to 3-0 in the season. The Eagles were horrible against Royal Oak in losing 31-7 and I can’t see them winning a game this season. Beverly Hills Wylie E. Groves will be ready for Avondale next week in Beverly Hills PICK: GROVES 63, FERNDALE 7.

10. Clarkston at Rochester: The Wolves trailed 12-7 early against West Bloomfield but exploded for 34 points last week. Clarkston had a lot of trouble with the Falcons but scored 24 second half points to win 24-0 last season. Rochester lost a 21-14 heartbreaker to Troy last week and will be motivated for this game. The Falcons added transfer Kevin Byrd from West Bloomfield to be their quarterback. This game should be similar to last season but in the end Clarkston’s depth will take over this game and the Wolves will move on in a close one. PICK: CLARKSTON 17, ROCHESTER 7.

Royal Oak at Avondale: The Ravens won a big one last week over Ferndale 31-7 and they should head into this game with confidence. The Yellow Jackets allowed 56 points last week against Birmingham Seaholm in a 56-28 loss. This game could be interesting and intriguing in Auburn Hills but in the end Coach Steve Deutch will get the best of Coach Ryan Irish but closer than the experts think in a high scoring game. PICK: AVONDALE 42, ROYAL OAK 38.

Southfield-Lathrup at Farmington (Thursday): The Falcons have been reeling with losses to Westland John Glenn 48-39 and last week to Southfield 32-7. Farmington has been outscored 80-46 in those last two games but they have an opportunity to bounce back after those two losses. Farmington better be careful of the Chargers who are led by freshman quarterback Reggie Harris. Southfield-Lathrup beat Pontiac 25-23 two weeks ago and held their own against Oak Park but lost 34-14 last week and have been outscored 59-37 in the last two weeks. The Falcons should win this game but I can see an upset in the making and a big win for Coach Keith Stephens in this one in Farmington. PICK: SOUTHFIELD-LATHRUP 24, FARMINGTON 21.

Hazel Park at Berkley (Thursday): The Bears return back to Hurley Field after being outscored 56-20 in their last two games with an 0-2 record. The Vikings are 0-2 as well after being outscored 88-36 in the last two games. Somebody has to win this week and that team will be dressed in red and blue. PICK: BERKLEY 31, HAZEL PARK 14.

Pontiac at Troy Athens: The Red Hawks have had a two tough weeks against two really good opponents in Warren Mott and Lake Orion. Troy Athens has been outscored 87-14 in the last two weeks which is scary. The Phoenix allowed 62 points last week against Stoney Creek and have been outscored 87-30 in the last two weeks. One thing in common is that both teams don’t play defense very well which could lead to fireworks. Defense will be optional in this game but in the end the Red Hawks will get their first win of the season. PICK: TROY ATHENS 63, PONTIAC 50.