Picks for Week Two

Written Monday September 3rd, at 9:35 PM

Troy Athens (0-1) at 1. Lake Orion (1-0): Last season the Dragons Zach Arnold tortured the Red Hawks defense for 140 yards and two touchdowns in a 68-20 rout at Ford Field and he is back. Last week, Troy Athens got torched 47-7 by Warren Mott, they allowed five interceptions, two were for touchdowns and gave up over 300 rushing yards on the ground. The Red Hawks will play better but it won’t matter against a team that is more athletic, loves to run, and more dangerous than Warren Mott. PICK: LAKE ORION 70, TROY ATHENS 20.

2. Adams (1-0) at 7. Harrison (1-0): This will be a dangerous test for the Hawks against a team that upset Clarkston 12-7 last week. Adams is riding high with Matt Sokol going nuts last week and with their veer option attack if they control the clock then they will win this game. Harrison lacks the weapons in the passing game than in years past but does have Lorenzo Collins back. I've got to go with the hot team right now and that’s Adams but close. PICK: ADAMS 18, HARRISON 13.

3. Oak Park (1-0) at Southfield-Lathrup (1-0) 4 PM: Coach Greg Carter and Shane Kelley will be doing cartwheels in Lathrup Village this week after an emotional come from behind 25-20 win over Orchard Lake St. Mary’s last week at Wayne State. The Chargers beat Pontiac 25-23 last week and may have found their starting quarterback in freshman Reggie Harris but Oak Park's defense is not like Pontiac's defense. This game won’t even be close as the Knights will head to 2-0. It could be over by halftime. PICK: OAK PARK 48, SOUTHFIELD-LATHRUP 7.

Pontiac (0-1) at 4. Stoney Creek (1-0): Coach Brad Zube will be doing cartwheels once again this week after blowing out Royal Oak at the Ravens nest last week. The Troy game next week will be the first test for the Cougars on the road. The Phoenix has no chance in this game in Rochester but they could be competitive for a half. PICK: STONEY CREEK 49, PONTIAC 7.

5. Southfield (0-1) at Farmington (0-1): The Blue Jays lost a tough one to Detroit Cass Tech 18-14 last week at Wayne State. Farmington’s defense is not like Detroit Cass Tech’s defense and Southfield will score some points and it could be in bunches. I’m not sure if the Falcons will keep up with the powerful Blue Jays especially allowing 48 points last week against Westland John Glenn but they did score 39 in the loss. PICK: SOUTHFIELD 56, FARMINGTON 14.

Bloomfield Hills (0-1) at 6. Oxford (0-1): The Wildcats should be fuming after losing to Lake Orion 35-30 last week on the blue turf. The Blackhawks gave up 47 points to Beverly Hills Wylie E. Groves in a 47-19 blowout loss. Oxford should bounce back with Glacier Wallington and Ben Line creating havoc with their power running game and veer option. The defense should bounce back as well and play Bud Ball yet again for coach Bud Rowley PICK: OXFORD 42, BLOOMFIELD HILLS 3.

8. Birmingham Seaholm (1-0) at 9. Avondale (1-0): The Yellow Jackets should be motivated for the Maples after a two touchdown defeat (28-15) in Birmingham last season. Birmingham Seaholm should be motivated after defeating Ann Arbor Pioneer 24-0 last week. Avondale hammered Redford Union 42-0 last week in Wayne County. The Yellow Jackets have something to prove but the Maples should be favored heading into this game in Auburn Hills. Avondale will gain a measure of revenge but it will be closer than people think. PICK: AVONDALE 21, BIRMINGHAM SEAHOLM 14.

10. Clarkston (0-1) at West Bloomfield (1-0): Odd to see that the Wolves are 0-1 after their tough 12-7 loss to Rochester Adams but Ian Erickson should play the whole game. The Lakers are big and athletic with Tristion Jackson at quarterback but it won't matter. PICK: CLARKSTON 49, WEST BLOOMFIELD 13.

Berkley (0-1) at North Farmington (1-0): The Raiders may have lost Jeron Rodgers after transferring to Texas for basketball reasons but they still have Chauncey Bridges to carry the load against the Bears in Farmington Hills. PICK: NORTH FARMINGTON 31, BERKLEY 14.

Rochester (1-0) at Troy (0-1): Big game for coach Gary Griffith and the Colts after losing to Romeo 33-24 at Dan Barnabo Field last week. If Troy loses this game on their home field then their chances of making the playoffs are slim to none especially with Lake Orion, Stoney Creek, and Clarkston on the schedule. The Falcons need this game with Stoney Creek, Lake Orion, and Clarkston all coming to Rochester. Coach Eric Vernon have the Wolves coming into Rochester next week. I think Troy has an outside shot of winning but the Falcons are on a row right now. PICK: ROCHESTER 28, TROY 24.

Beverly Hills Wylie E. Groves (1-0) at Hazel Park (0-1): The Falcons lost in Beverly Hills to the Vikings 38-33 last season. Hazel Park opens up their new turf to the Blue but in the end Beverly Hills Wylie E. Groves will get their revenge in Hazel Park in the worst way because of their team speed in a high scoring affair. PICK: BEVERLY HILLS WYLIE E. GROVES 47, HAZEL PARK 40.

Ferndale (0-1) at Royal Oak (0-1): In the pillow fight of the week. The Eagles are 14-23 since 2008 while the Ravens are 2-44 since 2007. Someone has to win this week. Royal Oak lost to Stoney Creek 42-8 last week but Ferndale was upset by Livonia Clarenceville 21-14 last week and last year the Eagles gave up a late touchdown which gave the Ravens the 18-13 victory in Ferndale. Ferndale wants revenge after that game but in the end Royal Oak will win this game and be 3-44 since 2007. PICK: ROYAL OAK 21, FERNDALE 14.