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.