Dragons lose heartbreaker to Wolves.

Written Friday November 4th at 11:45 PM

Sometimes stories don’t always have a happy ending.

It happened on Friday night to the Orion Dragons.

The ninth ranked Dragons lost a heartbreaker in five sets to the third ranked Clarkston Wolves 25-22, 23-25, 14-25, 25-21, and 12-15 at home in the district championship game.

Orion was led by Mallorie Berriman’s 13 blocks and 11 kills. Leah Kalugar and Danielle Sargent had 12 kills each. Lindsey Wightman had 18 aces and three digs as well in defeat.

The Wolves were led by Abby Malanowski’s 18 kills, Sarah Austin had 15 kills, and Madi Jidas had 27 digs.

Clarkston will move onto the regional semifinals at New Baltimore Anchor Bay against Macomb Dakota on Tuesday night.

The Dragons conclude their season at 45-15-1 winning back to back Red crowns.

Heartbreaks happen, it's life.

The Stage is Set.

Written Thursday November 3rd at 11:30 AM

The showdown is set on Friday night.

The Dragons swept the Waterford Kettering Captains 3-0 with a 25-17, 25-16, 25-15 win in the district semifinal on Wednesday night setting the state for a district final showdown with Clarkston on Friday night at Orion.

Orion was led by Leah Kalugar whom played probably one of her best games with 12 kills on the night against a game Waterford Kettering team.

The matchup between the ninth ranked Dragons and third ranked Wolves is interesting. Clarkston has had Orion's number in tournaments this season but the Dragons won at Clarkston in five games after the Wolves self destructed and Orion never gave up and earned that victory.

The win gave the Dragons the Red division title but this one will be for a district championship and a trip to New Baltimore Anchor Bay is on the line in this matchup.

Who Has the Edge???

Outside Hitters: Advantage Clarkston. The Wolves have Abby Malanowski and Sarah Austin and both of them have had strong junior and senior seasons respectably. The Dragons have had a mix of players playing that role in the outside with Sarah Kelly, Wren McCaully, and Kalugar. Malanowski and Austin are heavy hitters so that's why they have the advantage here.

Inside: Advantage Orion. The Dragons have Mallorie Berriman and Becca Zelmanski in the center spots. I would trust Orion over Clarkston in the inside, not to mention you have Danielle Sargent whom can play the center spot as well. The Wolves have Kayla Miller and Kayla Luchenbach inside but got to give an edge to Orion.

Defense: Advantage Orion. The Dragons are a very good blocking team, that's not to say that the Wolves aren't but when you have Berriman, Zelmanski, and Sargent inside blocking shots and getting put-backs for points then that pretty much tells me what I need to know. Lindsey Wightman is a solid liberio as well which has also helped the defense of Orion as well but sometimes they do slack and it gets them into trouble.

Serving: Advantage Clarkston. Orion has not been consistent when it comes to serving. They have had a history of service errors and net errors but have managed to come out of it. Clarkston though hasn't made too many mistakes when it comes to serving but they have some hitters that can get aces.

Mental Mindset: Advantage Clarkston. Playing at home ISN'T always a good thing in the history of the Dragons remember a few years back Orion was swept by Clarkston in the district final at home. This Dragon team sometimes can take a mental lapse in the mind if you look at the last few games where they have struggled with mental errors. The Wolves looked focused and determined in their game with Oxford in the district semifinal. Orion's mental mindset was tested at Clarkston and they came through with a huge win there. Expect both teams to be focused but any mental lapse can be dangerous especially for the home team in this matchup because there is a lot more pressure being at home and expected to win when it's better off being on the road. Whoever wins this stat will be the one that moves on.

Coaching: Even. Both Tony Scavarda and Kelly Averall-Pinner have had success with both programs. They get their teams motivated and ready to play. Coaching pretty much a wash here.

PICK: If you ready the Inside the OAA blog when previewing the Volleyball districts, you know where I'm heading.

Dragons Fall to Romeo Again in the Playoffs.

Written Saturday October 29th at 12:15 AM

The Dragons made a return the playoffs after a two year absence. They went to Romeo, the team that eliminated Orion in 2013 with a 24-21 win. However, Friday night’s game went to the Bulldogs as they beat the Dragons 14-3 in the first round of the playoffs.

The game plan Romeo used was very similar to a team that Orion has seen this season.

It was Romeo’s Macomb Area Red Division rival Chippewa Valley.

Why is the Chippewa Valley game important, you ask? Well Romeo used the same exact game plan against Orion with its quarterback option game. The option worked wonders in the Big Reds 27-7 win over the Dragons. The Bulldogs took a page from Chippewa Valley’s book and used it against Orion.

Orion could get only a 39-yard field goal from Parker Blust but Romeo answered with a touchdown from Nathan Goralski from three yards out for a 7-3 lead in the second quarter.

The Dragons had three chances to get points but they were either fourth down stops by the Bulldogs defense or an interception to close out the half.

Orion also turned the ball over once on a fumble in the third quarter and the defense had two offside penalties that led to Romeo’s first touchdown in the second quarter.

Romeo would pull away using its quarterback option game very similar to Chippewa Valley when Austin Malczewski scored from three yards out closing the game at 14-3.

The Dragons finished the season at 5-5 overall and 4-2 in the Red. They did make the playoffs for the first time in two years but this team has a lot of work to do to make that next step toward recovery.

Dragons Offense put them in bad spot hoping for another week.

Written Saturday October 22nd at 1:10 AM

The Dragons offense didn’t show up at all on Friday night and it may have cost them a playoff spot.

Orion was shutout 21-0 by Bloomfield Hills (9-0) sending it’s record to 5-4 and hoping to get a playoff bid on Sunday.

The Dragons offense was a complete disaster as they allowed six sacks and had three fumbles. One fumble led to a Bloomfield Hills touchdown and a 6-0 lead. 

The Orion defense did it’s job throughout the game but two controversial plays led to Blackhawks touchdowns putting the game out of reach.

Orion had their chances but the offense failed them all night, they couldn’t sustain drives, something that did not make coach Chris Bell pleased. Chris Wilson led the offense with 122 yards on the night.

If I’m a Dragon fan or football player, I’m praying hard that they have enough playoff points to sneak into the tournament on Sunday. If not then it will be the third straight season of no playoff football.

Dragons Destroyed on Homecoming.

Written Saturday October 15th at 12:30 AM

Nothing went right tonight at Orion.

The Dragons played perhaps one of their worst football games of the season and it showed on Friday night against Clarkston.

The Wolves won their sixth straight over Orion in a shocking 45-16 beat down on the Dragons Homecoming on Friday night.

The Dragons did not help themselves with three fumbles and a pick six which was Clarkston’s second touchdown.

JT King and Michael Fluegel did the most damage on the night for Clarkston. Fluegel had 25 carries for 136 yards and two touchdowns. King had 55 passing yards and 86 rushing yards for two scores.

Orion was led by Dylan Frank whom had nine carries for 57 yards and a touchdown while Chris Wilson had eight carries for 51 yards.

Tonight, wasn’t a good night for the Dragons but they have a week to fix this as they sit at 5-3 on the season. Hope is not lost but it’s win or go home now for Orion. Maybe going back on the road will help this team as they have won three games on the road this season. Being the heel in wrestling always is a good thing for teams on the road and this team has had success being the villain.

The Dragons will face Bloomfield Hills next, a team that is coming in undefeated. In wrestling terms, the Blackhawks are playing the role of the kay-baby face, which in terms means the face. Bloomfield Hills won the Blue on Friday night winning 42-16 over Berkley. The Blackhawks have a very talented offense led by quarterback John Paddock, wide receiver Kiewaun Graham, tight end Alex Emde, and running back Derrick Lynch.

We’ll see what happens.

Survive to Live Another Day.

Written Saturday October 8th at 2:00 AM

The Dragons were on the ropes on Friday night in Birmingham on Seaholm’s homecoming, tied at 14-14 with ten seconds left in the game and likely would have seen it’s three game winning streak in serious jeopardy.

It’s defense had a ton of trouble stopping the pistol veer offense, especially the pitch option part of the veer offense.

But back to the ten seconds left, the Dragons burned their second timeout and out comes Seaholm’s kicker to try to win the game and send the Maple Forest, yes the very same Maple Forest that sung Christmas songs, the ICarly theme song, and danced the night way onto the field to celebrate with their team.

Then Jack Slayton came a calling to block the kick.

Slayton blocked the kick sending the Dragons fans, players, coaches, and cheerleaders into a frenzy as overtime was forced.

The Maples would then win the coin toss and go on defense while the Dragons chose the north end of the stadium, that’s where their fans were.

The Maple Forest went toward the action to cheer their team to counter act the Orion student section but what they saw on the first snap of overtime was Dylan Frank going by three defenders for a touchdown for the Dragons.

Seaholm would  have a chance to extend the game only to see the defensive front led by Sebastian Marku and Jordan Lewis shut down the pitch option and then on the next play seal it with a force fumble recovered by the defense as the players, coaches, fans, and cheerleaders stormed the field for a 21-14 Orion win in overtime despite the Maples scoreboard spelled the Dragons name wrong, they called them the DRAGNS.

The Dragons would control the game in the early stages of the second quarter as Max Horneffer scored from 15 yards out on a quarterback keeper for a 7-0 lead. After a stop by the Orion defense Horneffer struck again scoring from 35 yards out on the same play for a 14-0 Dragons lead.

The Maples would answer on a 43-yard pitch option touchdown from quarterback Andrew Wilt to Mitchell Schumaker and a 14-7 lead for Orion.

Seaholm would then answer again late in the fourth quarter as a questionable roughing the punter penalty on Johnny Haggitt would lead to a quarterback keeper from five yards out by Wilt to tie the score at 14-14.

There was a ton of stress for the Dragons on this Friday night but here they are sitting at 5-2 and getting ready for next week’s showdown with 5-2 Clarkston who were also victorious over West Bloomfield 42-21. The Wolves have owned the Dragons the past five seasons, something this group would like to change. Also, this is Orion’s homecoming game and a league title is also at stake as well. Next week has a lot writing on this one.

Dragons Volleyball can call themselves League Champions.

Written Thursday October 6th at 11:30 PM

The Dragons can call themselves champions of the Red.

Orion won in three games over West Bloomfield 25-14, 25-13, and 25-19 on Thursday night at West Bloomfield. The Dragons shared the Red with Stoney Creek and Seaholm last season but this is the first outright crown for Orion since 2007 when they won the White outright.

The Dragons were led by Lindsay Wightman’s 18 digs and three aces. They had balance in the kills as Becca Zelmanski had eight kills, Leah Kalugar had seven kills, and Emma Sylvain had six kills. Wren Macauly had 14 assists.

Orion is now 33-9-1 on the season and finished at 7-0 in league play. The Dragons will go to the Birmingham Marian tournament this weekend and move forward to district play starting at the end of October.

Dragons Golf Going to the State Finals.

Written Thursday October 6th at 11:25 PM

Hmm I wonder at times will the 2016 Orion lady golfers have the same magic as the team that won the 2007 State crown in girl’s golf???

Could be.

The Dragons girls golf team is heading to the State Finals after winning the Division One regional golf tournament on Thursday at Westwynd Golf Course in Oakland Township. Orion scored a 344 on the scorecard which will send them to Forest Akers East on the campus of Michigan State next weekend.

Clarkston and Bloomfield Hills will be joining them next weekend as well.

Orion was led by Moyea Russell as she shot a 77, current Girls Basketball player Cameron Coltrin shot an 84, and Ashley Yearwood shot an 88, Devyn Goodman shot a 95, and Jessica Fox shot a 109 on the day, leading coach Monty Gallagher’s team.

Let’s see what happens with the Dragons golf team going forward this weekend.

West Bloomfield Volleyball Preview.

Written Wednesday October 5th at 11:30 PM

The Dragons are one step away from an outright Red Championship.

Orion will play at West Bloomfield on Thursday night for an opportunity to win the outright Red Crown. If they lose than Clarkston whom will play at Oxford on Thursday will have the opportunity to clinch a share of the division with the Dragons.

West Bloomfield finished 31-10-5 and was 7-0 in the White last season before losing in the district to 

Harrison at home. The move to the Red however has been a grind and a challenge for coach Dana Gray’s team this season.

West Bloomfield just played a five-game set with Harrison on Wednesday night with the Lakers losing at Farmington Hills to the Hawks. West Bloomfield comes into Red play at 0-6.

The Lakers have five seniors they will be honoring on Thursday night.

West Bloomfield has three starters back from last season’s team. They are led by Vanessa Vigier, Audrey Kohl and Nyla Greer. Vigier is the Lakers best player coming into the match against the Dragons while Kohl is a defensive specialist and Greer is an outside hitter.

This will be the first meeting of the season between Orion and West Bloomfield.

Thoughts:

This matchup looks to be a mismatch on paper but the Dragons have been struggling since winning over Clarkston in five games at Clarkston. The Dragons despite winning two games but in four sets haven’t been themselves lately.

West Bloomfield just played a five-game set against Harrison on Wednesday night so conditioning could be an issue here in this one for the Lakers.

West Bloomfield will be in a tough district at Farmington with the likes of Harrison, North Farmington, Farmington, and Farmington Hills Mercy this season.

We’ll see what happens in this matchup.

Here is more on West Bloomfield right here.

http://www.candgnews.com/sports/after-winning-oaa-white-lakers-volleyball-adjusting-new-division-95909

Dragons still have their struggles.

Written Wednesday October 5th at 12:05 AM

The Dragons on Senior Night still had their struggles, including some mental mistakes on defense, along with some errors but managed to beat Seaholm in four games 25-3, 20-25, 25-21, 25-14 on Tuesday night in their final regular season home game.

Orion was led by Senior Sarah Kelly whom had 10 kills on the night while Senior Mallorie Berriman had seven blocks.

The Dragons now stand at 34-9 on the season and 6-0 in the Red. They got a bit of revenge after losing in five games to the Maples last season. If the Dragons win on Thursday at West Bloomfield then they can clinch the Red outright. Last season, Orion shared the Red with Stoney Creek and Seaholm.

Orion graduates eight seniors from a team that is still senior heavy this season. The Dragons are ranked fourth in the State and just came off a tough tournament at Mount Morris where they lost in three tough games to North Branch. They also have a tough tournament this weekend at Birmingham Marian with some powerhouse teams such as Birmingham Marian, Anchor Bay, Macomb Dakota, Seaholm, and Clarkston.

I don’t know why the Dragons are struggling, are they in a lull??? I just don’t know.

Orion did though clinch at least a share of the Red title tonight.

We’ll see what happens.

Seaholm Volleyball Preview.

Written Monday October 3rd at 11:30 PM

The Maples are a far different team this season than they were last season.

Seaholm had an experienced team led by Lauren McCleod, Annie Schetcher, and Paige Carey but now they are no longer at Seaholm as they have graduated.

But one of them is back.

Amelie Cekauskas.

Cekauskas was the setter in last season’s five game thriller over the Dragons in which the Maples won that game giving themselves a share of the Red crown with Orion and Stoney Creek. She will be relied upon to lead the offense and also create on the fly for Seaholm.

Molly LaGone is also back for the Maples giving them some experience along with hitter Kelsey Loffler. Loffler has had games along with LaGone taking over games in both the front and back row for a young Seaholm team that has taken its lumps during the season. The Maples though are still a dangerous team as well so it's important if your the Dragons to not take them lightly.

Seaholm will be in that tough district over at Birmingham Marian with the Mustangs, Bloomfield Hills, Groves, Troy, and Avondale. The Maples were upset in the district final by the Blackhawks losing in four games.

The Maples come in to the match with Orion with a 3-2 record with losses to Stoney Creek and Clarkston. Seaholm will concluded the league season with Bloomfield Hills on the road while the Dragons will conclude their league season with a trip to West Bloomfield.

Thoughts.

This has been one of the best volleyball rivalries in Oakland County between Orion and Seaholm. History in this series has went to the home team, who ever is the home team usually wins the matchup.

This is the Dragons senior night but the Maples have one thing they want to do and that is beat Orion for the second straight year. All though it will be a tough task for Seaholm, yes they lost a ton of talent but remember Heather Lippert is a heck of a coach. The Maples don’t rebuild they reload.

Orion should be motivated after losing in five games to Seaholm in Birmingham last season. If the Dragons win this matchup over the Maples on Tuesday then it gets them one step closer to winning the Red outright. They can clinch a share of the title if they win this one.

We'll see what happens.

Dragons were at Crossroads.

Written Saturday October 1st at 1:05 AM

 

The Dragons were at a crossroads on Friday night at Troy Athens when the Red Hawks had a great second quarter to tie the score at 14-14.

Now what was the crossroads???

Was it, remembering last year’s disaster where Orion lost 21-14 to Troy Athens.

Was it a backup quarterback scoring two touchdowns on the Dragons defense.

Was it Troy Athens offensive line that was getting all the attention.

Was it the Red Hawks homecoming???

Well the Dragons went back to who they were in the second half.

Physical, relentless football.

Orion started the second half scoring 33 unanswered points and gain a measure of revenge from last season’s 21-14 loss to Troy Athens with a 47-14 win on the Red Hawks homecoming.

The Dragons started the game red hot as Chris Wilson went 67 yards for the first touchdown and a 7-0 Orion lead. The Dragons would then get another touchdown to close out the first quarter as Dylan Frank went in the end zone from one yard out and a 14-0 lead.

The Red Hawks would respond as quarterback Jake Cavazos whom replaced Joey Stark as Stark did not play due to a concussion would score a three-yard quarterback keeper and a one yard quarterback keeper keeping Troy Athens in the game at 14-14 heading to the half.

Orion would respond in the second half on defense as the Dragons took Cavazos out of the game with an injury as Tyler Vesterland scored on a five-yard touchdown run but the PAT hit the post for a 20-14 lead. The Red Hawks went with running back Brody Fitzpatrick to close out the game.

The Dragons would then get another stop and force a Red Hawks punt. Parker Edmonds blocked the punt and recovered the loose ball for a touchdown but the two-point try was no good and Orion led 26-14.

Orion would then respond again, only this time Frank went 46 yards for a touchdown and a 33-14 lead. Nick Fletcher would then get two touchdowns of his own to close out the scoring, one from seven yards out and the other from 17 yards out closing the score at 47-14.

Wilson finished with 98 yards and a score on seven carries, Frank had five carries and 69 yards with two scores, and Fletcher had four carries for 51 yards and two scores.

Cavazos finished with 59 yards rushing and two scores while Fitzpatrick had 15 carries for 59 yards for Troy Athens.

The Dragons sit at 4-2 and 4-1 in Red play on the season. Orion will play on yet another homecoming game as they will travel to Birmingham to take on the Maples of Birmingham Seaholm on Friday night.