Written Monday September 20th, 2010 at 12:30 PM
Well this week the Dragon program suffered an very unusual and unfortunate result, a loss. This week it was the Dragon freshman green team who took the loss, hard and it was to one of it's arch rivals, Rochester Adams on Wednesday Afternoon at the Dragons Lair.
At halftime the Dragons trailed 21-12, they were being out gained and out matched, then in the third quarter the fireworks started to spark.
The Dragons stormed to a 24-21 lead after two touchdowns from quarterback Conner Grant, however on one play Adams quarterback Matt Sokol took it to the end-zone and ten seconds later it was 28-24 Highlanders heading to the fourth quarter. Orion then answered and took a 31-28 lead, but then Adams answered again to take a 34-31 lead early in the fourth.
Neither defense could stop one another, it went to a back and fourth seesaw, just like every Dragon/Highlander match-up, Orion answered thanks to running back Zach Arnold, who's carrier day on the ground kept the Dragons in it until the very end. He was part of the fourth quarter rally that gave the Dragons a 38-34 lead with four minutes left in the game.
But that wasn't the drama yet. On a fourth an 23 from the 20 yard line, the Dragons bailed out the Highlanders, giving them a 30 yard gain, then Adams (3-1) went down the field, and nailed a winning touchdown score with 14 seconds left in the game, to stun the Dragons 41-38 in a highly contested shootout.
This is a really tough loss for the Dragons, they fell to 3-1 in the season, the team gets ready for Royal Oak on Thursday afternoon at the Dragons Lair.
The freshman white team traveled to West Bloomfield, and took on the Lakers, it wasn't much of a contest, in the first quarter the Dragons defense stopped the Lakers at the one yard line, leading to a Dragon score. The Dragons were led by quarterback Kyle Bell, who orchestrated a 41-14 victory over the Lakers, to keep the freshman white team "undefeated" at 4-0.
The freshman white team will merge once again with the green team as they host Royal Oak on Thursday afternoon at the Dragons Lair.
The JV team didn't seem to have any trouble in their contest with the Lakers, as running back Storm Hudson stole the show. Hudson ran for three touchdowns, leading to a Dragons 53-7 rout of the Lakers on Wednesday night at West Bloomfield. The JV are now 4-0 in the season, and 3-0 in the OAA Red.
The next action for the JV is set for Thursday night as Royal Oak comes a calling to the Dragons Lair, kickoff is set for 6:30 PM.
This week the Dragons Varsity welcomed the Lakers of West Bloomfield for an unusual showdown played on a school night at the Dragons Lair on Thursday night.
The first quarter was ready to be a shootout, neither defense wasn't playing well, it was 21-14 Orion at one point. At one point the Dragons couldn't stop Lakers quarterback Phil Brown, who torched the Dragons with two passing touchdowns, however the Lakers could not stop Orion quarterback Sean Charette, who has two touchdowns but also had two interceptions in the end-zone.
However in the second quarter Orion responded, blitzkrieg the Lakers for four touchdowns (28 points), they also took quarterback Phil Brown out of the game with a shoulder injury, and after the half it was 49-14 in favor of the Dragons. The Dragons added one more touchdown in the second half and cruised to a 56-14 victory, to remain perfect.
Lake Orion is now 4-0 overall and 3-0 in the OAA Red this season. They also move up in the state rankings for Division One. The Dragons are now number three in Division One following Rockford's 26-23 loss to Grand Haven on Friday night. The Dragons trail Novi Detroit Catholic Central and Plymouth Canton in the rankings.
Next week the Dragons travel to win less Royal Oak (0-4, 0-3 OAA Red) for a showdown with the Ravens, kickoff is set for 7 PM.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Wisner Stadium, plus recap from Pontiac
Written, Sunday September 12th at 8:48 PM
Ah a glorious day, at Wisner Stadium, all the history, since it opened up in 1941, Wisner had Detroit Lions scrimmages back in the day, when the Lions played in Pontiac, it also had field turf donated to them by the St. Louis Rams during their run to the Super Bowl, but what would take place Friday Night, would be one that fans of Lake Orion would love to see at Wisner Stadium when they competed against an upstart Pontiac Phoenix team, but here is some information about the Phoenix.
Pontiac was a school that was formed in 2009, when budget cuts forced then schools Pontiac Northern and Pontiac Central to merge into one high school. They changed the colors from the Northern Red and White, and Central Orange and Black to the Purple and Grey that represented the Phoenix. Pontiac in their first season went 7-2, and shared the OAA Blue title, they went on to host Utica Eisenhower in the playoffs at Wisner Stadium, they lost but a new program was forming and came together.
The Phoenix then went up two divisions from the Blue to the Red, every expert around Metro-Detroit predicted Pontiac would finish in the bottom of the league, but they have continued time and time again to prove their doubters wrong, it started with Southfield-Lathrup on the road, and the Phoenix won that game 27-16, then a shocker when Troy Athens came to Wisner Stadium for what was to be a huge showdown with Troy Athens, Athens was suppose to be an improved team, and this was one of their better teams, however Pontiac didn't care, they routed the Red Hawks out of Wisner Stadium with a 42-3 shellacking. The win meant Pontiac was 2-0, entering their biggest challenge of their young history, a showdown with state-ranked and powerhouse Lake Orion at Wisner Stadium.
The Dragons came in as the favorite in the match up, got the scoring going quickly with a field goal by kicker Kyle Searlie that gave the Dragons a 3-0 lead. Then on the kickoff the Dragons used an onside kick, and recovered, that set up the team's next score. On the next play Orion quarterback Sean Charette connected with slot receiver Dan Ney for a 41 yard pass for touchdown, the point after touchdown kick was blocked but the Dragons had a 9-0 lead. The Dragons did make a defensive stand however, when Pontiac drove the field toward the Dragons two yard line, when they fumbled the ball and the ball went out of bounds in the end zone, marking a touch back to the 20 yard line.
The Phoenix responded in the second quarter as quarterback Johnathan Sneed connected with receiver Patrick Johnson on a 33 yard touchdown pass, making the score 9-7 in favor of the Dragons. However Orion responded, going down the field and on a fourth down and goal to go, Charette found wide receiver Zach Zott for a eight yard touchdown pass to give the Dragons a nine point lead at 16-7 with six minutes left in the half. The scoring wasn't done yet, as Pontiac was driving down the field, Sneed was being pressured on a fourth down and two by the Dragons defense, was intercepted by defensive end Marc Ljuljdjuraj who took the ball 69 yards to the end zone for another Dragon touchdown, the lead increased to 23-7, and that was the score at the half.
The second half was dominated by Dragons running back Marcus Stevenson, Stevenson rushed for three touchdowns, 41, 69, and 74 yards respectably. Stevenson finished with 216 yards on 11 carries. The Varsity went on and won 44-13 over the Phoenix to improve to 3-0 on the season, and 2-0 in the OAA Red. Pontiac falls to 2-1, and 1-1 in the season. The Dragons will return home and play West Bloomfield on Thursday night due to West Bloomfield celebrating the Jewish Holiday "Yom Kippur"
The Dragon Junior Varsity this week took on Pontiac, the team steamrolled to a 48-9 victory over the Phoenix at Dragon Stadium, behind two touchdown passes from quarterback Derrick DeLaura, and a potent offense led by running back Storm Hudson, and receivers Chaz Miller, and Joe Deneau, the team is now 3-0, and 2-0 in the Red. Next week the team will travel to West Bloomfield and take on the Lakers on Wednesday night.
The Freshman Dragons also took on Pontiac this week, the Dragons rolled to a 33-6 victory over the Phoenix at Dragon Stadium. The Dragons were lead by a combination of players, who pressured Pontiac all day long. Both Freshman teams stand at 3-0, with the green team being 2-0 against the Red, while the white team is 1-0 in the White with their win over Oxford. The Dragons will split their squads up next week at the Green team travels to West Bloomfield for a showdown against the Lakers on Wednesday, while the White team hosts 2-1, 2-0 OAA White, Rochester Adams on Wednesday at Dragon Stadium.
Well we'll see you next week for your complete football coverage throughout the season.
Ah a glorious day, at Wisner Stadium, all the history, since it opened up in 1941, Wisner had Detroit Lions scrimmages back in the day, when the Lions played in Pontiac, it also had field turf donated to them by the St. Louis Rams during their run to the Super Bowl, but what would take place Friday Night, would be one that fans of Lake Orion would love to see at Wisner Stadium when they competed against an upstart Pontiac Phoenix team, but here is some information about the Phoenix.
Pontiac was a school that was formed in 2009, when budget cuts forced then schools Pontiac Northern and Pontiac Central to merge into one high school. They changed the colors from the Northern Red and White, and Central Orange and Black to the Purple and Grey that represented the Phoenix. Pontiac in their first season went 7-2, and shared the OAA Blue title, they went on to host Utica Eisenhower in the playoffs at Wisner Stadium, they lost but a new program was forming and came together.
The Phoenix then went up two divisions from the Blue to the Red, every expert around Metro-Detroit predicted Pontiac would finish in the bottom of the league, but they have continued time and time again to prove their doubters wrong, it started with Southfield-Lathrup on the road, and the Phoenix won that game 27-16, then a shocker when Troy Athens came to Wisner Stadium for what was to be a huge showdown with Troy Athens, Athens was suppose to be an improved team, and this was one of their better teams, however Pontiac didn't care, they routed the Red Hawks out of Wisner Stadium with a 42-3 shellacking. The win meant Pontiac was 2-0, entering their biggest challenge of their young history, a showdown with state-ranked and powerhouse Lake Orion at Wisner Stadium.
The Dragons came in as the favorite in the match up, got the scoring going quickly with a field goal by kicker Kyle Searlie that gave the Dragons a 3-0 lead. Then on the kickoff the Dragons used an onside kick, and recovered, that set up the team's next score. On the next play Orion quarterback Sean Charette connected with slot receiver Dan Ney for a 41 yard pass for touchdown, the point after touchdown kick was blocked but the Dragons had a 9-0 lead. The Dragons did make a defensive stand however, when Pontiac drove the field toward the Dragons two yard line, when they fumbled the ball and the ball went out of bounds in the end zone, marking a touch back to the 20 yard line.
The Phoenix responded in the second quarter as quarterback Johnathan Sneed connected with receiver Patrick Johnson on a 33 yard touchdown pass, making the score 9-7 in favor of the Dragons. However Orion responded, going down the field and on a fourth down and goal to go, Charette found wide receiver Zach Zott for a eight yard touchdown pass to give the Dragons a nine point lead at 16-7 with six minutes left in the half. The scoring wasn't done yet, as Pontiac was driving down the field, Sneed was being pressured on a fourth down and two by the Dragons defense, was intercepted by defensive end Marc Ljuljdjuraj who took the ball 69 yards to the end zone for another Dragon touchdown, the lead increased to 23-7, and that was the score at the half.
The second half was dominated by Dragons running back Marcus Stevenson, Stevenson rushed for three touchdowns, 41, 69, and 74 yards respectably. Stevenson finished with 216 yards on 11 carries. The Varsity went on and won 44-13 over the Phoenix to improve to 3-0 on the season, and 2-0 in the OAA Red. Pontiac falls to 2-1, and 1-1 in the season. The Dragons will return home and play West Bloomfield on Thursday night due to West Bloomfield celebrating the Jewish Holiday "Yom Kippur"
The Dragon Junior Varsity this week took on Pontiac, the team steamrolled to a 48-9 victory over the Phoenix at Dragon Stadium, behind two touchdown passes from quarterback Derrick DeLaura, and a potent offense led by running back Storm Hudson, and receivers Chaz Miller, and Joe Deneau, the team is now 3-0, and 2-0 in the Red. Next week the team will travel to West Bloomfield and take on the Lakers on Wednesday night.
The Freshman Dragons also took on Pontiac this week, the Dragons rolled to a 33-6 victory over the Phoenix at Dragon Stadium. The Dragons were lead by a combination of players, who pressured Pontiac all day long. Both Freshman teams stand at 3-0, with the green team being 2-0 against the Red, while the white team is 1-0 in the White with their win over Oxford. The Dragons will split their squads up next week at the Green team travels to West Bloomfield for a showdown against the Lakers on Wednesday, while the White team hosts 2-1, 2-0 OAA White, Rochester Adams on Wednesday at Dragon Stadium.
Well we'll see you next week for your complete football coverage throughout the season.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Dragons now 2-0, plus shocking upsets spark the Den
Written Tuesday September 7th, 2010 at 5:00 PM
Welcome this week inside the Den for more coverage of Dragon Football, after the week against Oxford and surprising results around the area, the Dragon football program didn't want a let down to occur after the upsets around the State this week. They took on Rochester this week, hoping to avoid a letdown heading into their huge week three showdown with upstart Pontiac. But first with the upsets around the state.
Macomb Dakota's 17-10 loss to Romeo wasn't shocking. Romeo has some athletes, even though they lost to Troy 31-7 to start the season. I guess Dakota was looking head to Chippewa Valley was some kind of an understatement. Everybody thought coming into the season Dakota was going to be the kings of the MAC Red, they can still be. The Cougars beat Muskegon two weeks ago, at home. But now with this loss, it gets tighter in the MAC Red.
This season the MAC Red is down this season, Warren Mott (a playoff team from last year) lost to Troy Athens 32-19, and Troy Athens got beat by Pontiac 42-3 last week. Chippewa Valley lost to Dearborn 42-14 at home, add Romeo's loss in there to Troy. Sterling Heights Stevenson got pounded by Howell 35-0 in the Big Day Prep Showdown at Ypsilanti, and Utica Eisenhower won a tight 23-16 battle against arch rival Utica Ford at Sterling Heights Stevenson. It looks like this, Dakota, Utica Eisenhower, and Romeo are the three top teams in the MAC Red this season. What does this do with the Dragons, you ask? well in playoff points. If the Dragons can run the table in the OAA Red then the Dragons don't have to leave the confines of Lake Orion until the State semifinals in the playoffs and if they go east.
The Varsity team took the field on Friday night, hoping to avoid a letdown against the Falcons of Rochester, at Rochester High School. There wasn't no doubt that they avoided a letdown from the Oxford game. Orion rolled with a multiple attack to a 36-7 victory over Rochester, given the fact at one point in the second quarter the Dragons only led 13-7 but Orion answered by scoring 23 unanswered points, leaving the victory well in doubt. The Varsity is 2-0 in the season and 1-0 in the OAA Red, they have a big showdown with the upstart and rising Pontiac Phoenix. The Phoenix are also 2-0 after wins over Southfield Lathrup (27-16) and a shocking beating of Troy Athens (42-3) on Friday night at legionary Wisner Stadium, kickoff is set for 7 PM. Everybody has said that this will be Pontiac's biggest game of their young program's history since the merger of both Pontiac Northern and Pontiac Central.
The JV program took on Rochester at Dragon Stadium on Thursday night. The Dragons rolled 41-9 in the process. The game was an ugly one throughout. The Dragons could not get the mercy rule on the Falcons as the Falcons answered Dragon scores in both the second and fourth quarters. The Dragon JV are now 2-0 and 1-0 in the OAA Red host Pontiac on Thursday night at 6:30 PM at Dragon Stadium.
The Freshman program split their team into two teams this week. The White team played Fraser and the Green team took on Rochester, both games were at Dragon Stadium. The White team rolled over Fraser, 48-0, just with one offensive play the Dragons were leading 20-0 after the end of the first quarter. The Dragons rolled on against the Ramblers with a total dominating performance in the shutout over Fraser. The Green team took on Rochester, they survived a scare, in rout to a 33-12 victory over the Falcons. Rochester's two touchdowns came on the kickoff. Both teams are now 2-0, with the Green being 1-0 in the OAA Red on the season, and will merge back together for a showdown on Thursday with Pontiac at 4:30 PM at Dragon Stadium.
Welcome this week inside the Den for more coverage of Dragon Football, after the week against Oxford and surprising results around the area, the Dragon football program didn't want a let down to occur after the upsets around the State this week. They took on Rochester this week, hoping to avoid a letdown heading into their huge week three showdown with upstart Pontiac. But first with the upsets around the state.
Macomb Dakota's 17-10 loss to Romeo wasn't shocking. Romeo has some athletes, even though they lost to Troy 31-7 to start the season. I guess Dakota was looking head to Chippewa Valley was some kind of an understatement. Everybody thought coming into the season Dakota was going to be the kings of the MAC Red, they can still be. The Cougars beat Muskegon two weeks ago, at home. But now with this loss, it gets tighter in the MAC Red.
This season the MAC Red is down this season, Warren Mott (a playoff team from last year) lost to Troy Athens 32-19, and Troy Athens got beat by Pontiac 42-3 last week. Chippewa Valley lost to Dearborn 42-14 at home, add Romeo's loss in there to Troy. Sterling Heights Stevenson got pounded by Howell 35-0 in the Big Day Prep Showdown at Ypsilanti, and Utica Eisenhower won a tight 23-16 battle against arch rival Utica Ford at Sterling Heights Stevenson. It looks like this, Dakota, Utica Eisenhower, and Romeo are the three top teams in the MAC Red this season. What does this do with the Dragons, you ask? well in playoff points. If the Dragons can run the table in the OAA Red then the Dragons don't have to leave the confines of Lake Orion until the State semifinals in the playoffs and if they go east.
The Varsity team took the field on Friday night, hoping to avoid a letdown against the Falcons of Rochester, at Rochester High School. There wasn't no doubt that they avoided a letdown from the Oxford game. Orion rolled with a multiple attack to a 36-7 victory over Rochester, given the fact at one point in the second quarter the Dragons only led 13-7 but Orion answered by scoring 23 unanswered points, leaving the victory well in doubt. The Varsity is 2-0 in the season and 1-0 in the OAA Red, they have a big showdown with the upstart and rising Pontiac Phoenix. The Phoenix are also 2-0 after wins over Southfield Lathrup (27-16) and a shocking beating of Troy Athens (42-3) on Friday night at legionary Wisner Stadium, kickoff is set for 7 PM. Everybody has said that this will be Pontiac's biggest game of their young program's history since the merger of both Pontiac Northern and Pontiac Central.
The JV program took on Rochester at Dragon Stadium on Thursday night. The Dragons rolled 41-9 in the process. The game was an ugly one throughout. The Dragons could not get the mercy rule on the Falcons as the Falcons answered Dragon scores in both the second and fourth quarters. The Dragon JV are now 2-0 and 1-0 in the OAA Red host Pontiac on Thursday night at 6:30 PM at Dragon Stadium.
The Freshman program split their team into two teams this week. The White team played Fraser and the Green team took on Rochester, both games were at Dragon Stadium. The White team rolled over Fraser, 48-0, just with one offensive play the Dragons were leading 20-0 after the end of the first quarter. The Dragons rolled on against the Ramblers with a total dominating performance in the shutout over Fraser. The Green team took on Rochester, they survived a scare, in rout to a 33-12 victory over the Falcons. Rochester's two touchdowns came on the kickoff. Both teams are now 2-0, with the Green being 1-0 in the OAA Red on the season, and will merge back together for a showdown on Thursday with Pontiac at 4:30 PM at Dragon Stadium.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Dragon Domination
Written Saturday August 28th, at 12:03 AM
Thursday Afternoon was the start of something special, the rivalry had came back for the first time in 27 years.
Friday Night was perfect, if you were a Dragon. Welcome to the OAA, Oxford.
In the first meeting of two crosstown rivals, only separated by seven miles, north of M-24, the Oxford Wildcats entered Lake Orion, and faced the Dragons for the first time since the 34-6 beat down that the Wildcats handed the Dragons in 1983. But Friday night things were different, much different.
Thursday afternoon saw the perfect storm roll through for Oxford, in form of the Dragons. Orion played sound offense, and made life difficult for the Wildcat offense and defense. The Dragons rolled 43-0, they are now 1-0 overall and 0-0 in the OAA Red.
Thursday night saw the Dragons struggle throughout the game with mistakes and penalties. It was only 14-7 at the half due to the errors of the team. The Dragons pulled away in the second half, outscoring the Wildcats 14-0, in rout to a 28-7 victory over Oxford, and is 1-0 overall and 0-0 in the OAA Red.
Like I said, Friday night was perfect, the weather was perfect, and both schools had overflowing crowds. The atmosphere of the rivalry lived up to the hype. There was a submarine sandwich competition between Oxford's football team, and Lake Orion's hockey team. The contest was won by Oxford, however the football games were won by Lake Orion.
The Dragons won the game, in a blow-out fashion, like what happened to them in 1983 by the Wildcats 34-6. Orion won 45-6 this time around, meaning they took home the Double-O trophy (a trophy made from a boot)
2011 will be at Oxford, and that game too should get the hype it deserves.
The Dragons (1-0, 0-0: OAA Red) next action is next Friday night, when they travel to Rochester and take on the Rochester Falcons. Rochester comes in 1-0, 0-0 in the OAA Red after beating Lance Cruse North 28-0 in Macomb County on Friday night. The Freshman split their teams, the Green team will play Rochester at Lake Orion, while the White team plays at Frasier on Thursday, while the JV team plays Rochester on Thursday night at Lake Orion.
Thursday Afternoon was the start of something special, the rivalry had came back for the first time in 27 years.
Friday Night was perfect, if you were a Dragon. Welcome to the OAA, Oxford.
In the first meeting of two crosstown rivals, only separated by seven miles, north of M-24, the Oxford Wildcats entered Lake Orion, and faced the Dragons for the first time since the 34-6 beat down that the Wildcats handed the Dragons in 1983. But Friday night things were different, much different.
Thursday afternoon saw the perfect storm roll through for Oxford, in form of the Dragons. Orion played sound offense, and made life difficult for the Wildcat offense and defense. The Dragons rolled 43-0, they are now 1-0 overall and 0-0 in the OAA Red.
Thursday night saw the Dragons struggle throughout the game with mistakes and penalties. It was only 14-7 at the half due to the errors of the team. The Dragons pulled away in the second half, outscoring the Wildcats 14-0, in rout to a 28-7 victory over Oxford, and is 1-0 overall and 0-0 in the OAA Red.
Like I said, Friday night was perfect, the weather was perfect, and both schools had overflowing crowds. The atmosphere of the rivalry lived up to the hype. There was a submarine sandwich competition between Oxford's football team, and Lake Orion's hockey team. The contest was won by Oxford, however the football games were won by Lake Orion.
The Dragons won the game, in a blow-out fashion, like what happened to them in 1983 by the Wildcats 34-6. Orion won 45-6 this time around, meaning they took home the Double-O trophy (a trophy made from a boot)
2011 will be at Oxford, and that game too should get the hype it deserves.
The Dragons (1-0, 0-0: OAA Red) next action is next Friday night, when they travel to Rochester and take on the Rochester Falcons. Rochester comes in 1-0, 0-0 in the OAA Red after beating Lance Cruse North 28-0 in Macomb County on Friday night. The Freshman split their teams, the Green team will play Rochester at Lake Orion, while the White team plays at Frasier on Thursday, while the JV team plays Rochester on Thursday night at Lake Orion.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
OAA Football Preview
Written Tuesday August 10th, at 6:50 PM
Hello everybody, welcome back to another campaign of Lake Orion football for the 2010 season. Anyway here is my season preview with predictions of the upcoming 2010 season, with top five games for the entire Oakland Activities Association along with who has the easiest and toughest schedules around the OAA. So I wish everybody the best of luck and enjoy coverage of the Dragons throughout the upcoming season.
The 2010 Oakland Activities Association Preview:
OAA Red:
2009 Champion: Clarkston: 12-1 (7-0 OAA Red): Lost to Sterling Heights Stevenson 37-35, MHSAA State Semifinals
Notable Playoff Teams:
Lake Orion: 7-3 (6-1 OAA Red): Lost to Clarkston 17-7, District First Round
Troy: 6-4 (4-3 OAA Red): Lost to Warren Mott 35-21, District First Round
Pontiac: 7-3 (4-3 OAA Blue): Lost to Utica Eisenhower 35-6, District First Round
Dream Schedule: Lake Orion: The Dragons should be 5-0 heading into their homecoming game with Troy. They do have some early tests in the middle of that five game stretch when they travel to Wisner for a test against Pontiac, then West Bloomfield comes to Orion for a week four showdown. The first three of their five games are against teams that finished 2009 with losing records (Oxford @ home, @ Rochester, @ Royal Oak). The schedule after Troy doesn’t get any easier for the Dragons, with games at Troy Athens, (likely at Adams), and a home date with Clarkston.
Nightmare Schedule: Clarkston: The Wolves lost a lot from their 2009 State Semifinalist team when they lost a heartbreaker admit some controversy against Sterling Heights Stevenson. They have to replace a lot from that team that was one win away from the State Championship game. The schedule is going to be tough early, three of their first five will be at home, and that’s the good news. Adams, West Bloomfield, and Troy come to the Wolves Den but they also have to travel to Troy Athens and Pontiac during that stretch, it won’t be easy. Clarkston should get a break for two weeks with Royal Oak and Rochester, but week eight could be interesting, depending on the draw, if they get either Southfield or Harrison. Week nine, is always week nine when the Wolves and Dragons get together for their annual rivalry game.
Red Projections:
Lake Orion
Clarkston
West Bloomfield
Troy
Troy Athens
Pontiac
Rochester
Royal Oak
Top 5 Games:
1. Clarkston @ Lake Orion- Game determines a lot every year, this season wouldn’t be any different
2. West Bloomfield @ Troy- Playoff spot could be on the line in this one
3. Clarkston @ Troy Athens- Hawks win could tell a lot about this team
4. Lake Orion @ Pontiac- This game will tell a lot about the Phoenix
5. West Bloomfield @ Clarkston- The last time the Lakers were at Clarkston it was a shootout, and it was in double overtime, could it be possible again???
OAA White:
2009 Champion: Rochester Adams: 8-3 (7-0 OAA White): Lost to Birmingham Brother Rice 24-7, District Finals.
Notable Playoff Teams:
Southfield: 8-4 (5-2 OAA White): Lost to Warren De La Salle 24-6, MHSAA State Semifinals
Harrison: 7-4 (5-2 OAA White): Lost 20-14 to Southfield, District Finals
Farmington: 6-4 (4-3 OAA White): Lost to Harrison 28-0, District First Round
Dream Schedule: Stoney Creek: The Cougars have it easy for the first two games of the season, both road games at Port Huron Northern, and at Oak Park. Their home opener against Harrison will be interesting, it will tell a lot about their season, plus last season Harrison beat Stoney Creek 24-21, that cost them a shot at the playoffs. The Cougars home schedule is very manageable after the Harrison game, can’t say much about their road slate with Lathrup, Southfield, and Adams on the schedule.
Nightmare Schedule: Oxford: Welcome to the OAA, Oxford. The Wildcats this season are coming out of the Flint Metro League to the OAA. They will be very competitive in their new league, but the scheduling makers did not give the Wildcats any leeway to start off. Oxford has to start off at Lake Orion, a neighborhood rivalry that will finally be played for the first time since 1984. After the Orion game, the Wildcats play the White schedule and they host a very talented Lathrup team. Farmington on the road should also be interesting, and then games against Stoney Creek (road), Harrison (home), Adams (home), and Southfield (road) could determine Oxford’s season. Then the Wildcats have two home games to close out their 2010 season, the red opponent and then Oak Park to close it out, what a way to enter the league.
White Projections:
Adams
Southfield
Harrison
Southfield-Lathrup
Stoney Creek
Oxford
Farmington
Oak Park
Top 5 Games:
1. Southfield @ Adams- League title will be determined by this game
2. Southfield @ Harrison- Last year Harrison won the regular season game but Southfield took the playoff game
3. Adams @ Lathrup- This is Lathrup’s statement game if they win this one it could go a long way
4. Harrison @ Stoney Creek-Motivation for the Cougars will be very high in this one
5. Southfield @ Lathrup- This rivalry is always close between the two Southfield schools
OAA Blue:
2009 Co-Champions: Hazel Park: 8-3 (6-1 OAA Blue): Lost 50-48 to Detroit Crockett, District Finals. Pontiac: 7-3 (6-1 OAA Blue): Lost to Utica Eisenhower 35-6, District First Round
Notable Playoff Teams:
Berkley: 6-4 (4-3 OAA Blue): Lost to Southfield 26-10, District First Round
Dream Schedule: Ferndale: The Eagles this season has probably the easiest path to the OAA Blue title then their three toughest rivals, Hazel Park, Avondale, and Berkley. Avondale, Hazel Park, and Berkley all travel to Ferndale. Their toughest road game appears to be at Seaholm otherwise it should be smooth sailing for the Eagles, if they win their home games.
Nightmare Schedule: North Farmington: Raider nation be very afraid, theirs no room for error this 2010 season. The Raiders have most of the bottom feeders at home, which is good, but Ferndale is on that slate as well. The road schedule is treacherous with Seaholm to open up the season. It doesn’t get any better for the Raiders, with more road games at Berkley, Avondale, and Hazel Park. North Farmington’s best chance at a win could come when they go to Waterford and play Kettering in week nine. The road could be very treacherous along the way for the Raiders.
OAA Blue Projections:
Ferndale
Avondale
Berkley
Hazel Park
Seaholm
Lahser
Groves
Andover
North Farmington
Top 5 Games:
1. Avondale @ Ferndale- League title implications on this game
2. Berkley @ Ferndale- This is a statement game for the Bears if they win this one, league title could be in their grasp
3. Hazel Park @ Ferndale- Hazel Park made the playoffs last season, hopes could very well rest on this game
4. Berkley @ Avondale- Always interesting to say the least
5. Berkley @ Hazel Park- Could determine if both or none of these teams have a shot at the OAA Blue title.
Hello everybody, welcome back to another campaign of Lake Orion football for the 2010 season. Anyway here is my season preview with predictions of the upcoming 2010 season, with top five games for the entire Oakland Activities Association along with who has the easiest and toughest schedules around the OAA. So I wish everybody the best of luck and enjoy coverage of the Dragons throughout the upcoming season.
The 2010 Oakland Activities Association Preview:
OAA Red:
2009 Champion: Clarkston: 12-1 (7-0 OAA Red): Lost to Sterling Heights Stevenson 37-35, MHSAA State Semifinals
Notable Playoff Teams:
Lake Orion: 7-3 (6-1 OAA Red): Lost to Clarkston 17-7, District First Round
Troy: 6-4 (4-3 OAA Red): Lost to Warren Mott 35-21, District First Round
Pontiac: 7-3 (4-3 OAA Blue): Lost to Utica Eisenhower 35-6, District First Round
Dream Schedule: Lake Orion: The Dragons should be 5-0 heading into their homecoming game with Troy. They do have some early tests in the middle of that five game stretch when they travel to Wisner for a test against Pontiac, then West Bloomfield comes to Orion for a week four showdown. The first three of their five games are against teams that finished 2009 with losing records (Oxford @ home, @ Rochester, @ Royal Oak). The schedule after Troy doesn’t get any easier for the Dragons, with games at Troy Athens, (likely at Adams), and a home date with Clarkston.
Nightmare Schedule: Clarkston: The Wolves lost a lot from their 2009 State Semifinalist team when they lost a heartbreaker admit some controversy against Sterling Heights Stevenson. They have to replace a lot from that team that was one win away from the State Championship game. The schedule is going to be tough early, three of their first five will be at home, and that’s the good news. Adams, West Bloomfield, and Troy come to the Wolves Den but they also have to travel to Troy Athens and Pontiac during that stretch, it won’t be easy. Clarkston should get a break for two weeks with Royal Oak and Rochester, but week eight could be interesting, depending on the draw, if they get either Southfield or Harrison. Week nine, is always week nine when the Wolves and Dragons get together for their annual rivalry game.
Red Projections:
Lake Orion
Clarkston
West Bloomfield
Troy
Troy Athens
Pontiac
Rochester
Royal Oak
Top 5 Games:
1. Clarkston @ Lake Orion- Game determines a lot every year, this season wouldn’t be any different
2. West Bloomfield @ Troy- Playoff spot could be on the line in this one
3. Clarkston @ Troy Athens- Hawks win could tell a lot about this team
4. Lake Orion @ Pontiac- This game will tell a lot about the Phoenix
5. West Bloomfield @ Clarkston- The last time the Lakers were at Clarkston it was a shootout, and it was in double overtime, could it be possible again???
OAA White:
2009 Champion: Rochester Adams: 8-3 (7-0 OAA White): Lost to Birmingham Brother Rice 24-7, District Finals.
Notable Playoff Teams:
Southfield: 8-4 (5-2 OAA White): Lost to Warren De La Salle 24-6, MHSAA State Semifinals
Harrison: 7-4 (5-2 OAA White): Lost 20-14 to Southfield, District Finals
Farmington: 6-4 (4-3 OAA White): Lost to Harrison 28-0, District First Round
Dream Schedule: Stoney Creek: The Cougars have it easy for the first two games of the season, both road games at Port Huron Northern, and at Oak Park. Their home opener against Harrison will be interesting, it will tell a lot about their season, plus last season Harrison beat Stoney Creek 24-21, that cost them a shot at the playoffs. The Cougars home schedule is very manageable after the Harrison game, can’t say much about their road slate with Lathrup, Southfield, and Adams on the schedule.
Nightmare Schedule: Oxford: Welcome to the OAA, Oxford. The Wildcats this season are coming out of the Flint Metro League to the OAA. They will be very competitive in their new league, but the scheduling makers did not give the Wildcats any leeway to start off. Oxford has to start off at Lake Orion, a neighborhood rivalry that will finally be played for the first time since 1984. After the Orion game, the Wildcats play the White schedule and they host a very talented Lathrup team. Farmington on the road should also be interesting, and then games against Stoney Creek (road), Harrison (home), Adams (home), and Southfield (road) could determine Oxford’s season. Then the Wildcats have two home games to close out their 2010 season, the red opponent and then Oak Park to close it out, what a way to enter the league.
White Projections:
Adams
Southfield
Harrison
Southfield-Lathrup
Stoney Creek
Oxford
Farmington
Oak Park
Top 5 Games:
1. Southfield @ Adams- League title will be determined by this game
2. Southfield @ Harrison- Last year Harrison won the regular season game but Southfield took the playoff game
3. Adams @ Lathrup- This is Lathrup’s statement game if they win this one it could go a long way
4. Harrison @ Stoney Creek-Motivation for the Cougars will be very high in this one
5. Southfield @ Lathrup- This rivalry is always close between the two Southfield schools
OAA Blue:
2009 Co-Champions: Hazel Park: 8-3 (6-1 OAA Blue): Lost 50-48 to Detroit Crockett, District Finals. Pontiac: 7-3 (6-1 OAA Blue): Lost to Utica Eisenhower 35-6, District First Round
Notable Playoff Teams:
Berkley: 6-4 (4-3 OAA Blue): Lost to Southfield 26-10, District First Round
Dream Schedule: Ferndale: The Eagles this season has probably the easiest path to the OAA Blue title then their three toughest rivals, Hazel Park, Avondale, and Berkley. Avondale, Hazel Park, and Berkley all travel to Ferndale. Their toughest road game appears to be at Seaholm otherwise it should be smooth sailing for the Eagles, if they win their home games.
Nightmare Schedule: North Farmington: Raider nation be very afraid, theirs no room for error this 2010 season. The Raiders have most of the bottom feeders at home, which is good, but Ferndale is on that slate as well. The road schedule is treacherous with Seaholm to open up the season. It doesn’t get any better for the Raiders, with more road games at Berkley, Avondale, and Hazel Park. North Farmington’s best chance at a win could come when they go to Waterford and play Kettering in week nine. The road could be very treacherous along the way for the Raiders.
OAA Blue Projections:
Ferndale
Avondale
Berkley
Hazel Park
Seaholm
Lahser
Groves
Andover
North Farmington
Top 5 Games:
1. Avondale @ Ferndale- League title implications on this game
2. Berkley @ Ferndale- This is a statement game for the Bears if they win this one, league title could be in their grasp
3. Hazel Park @ Ferndale- Hazel Park made the playoffs last season, hopes could very well rest on this game
4. Berkley @ Avondale- Always interesting to say the least
5. Berkley @ Hazel Park- Could determine if both or none of these teams have a shot at the OAA Blue title.
Friday, May 7, 2010
My take on the Orion/Oxford Game
Written Friday May 7th, at 11:20 PM
Ah one fall day will change everything we seek when it comes to the words three miles apart, only these three miles separate Lake Orion and Oxford, but the rivalry is starting back up again, and memories for me, spill to the bottom of my heart about how this rivalry is one of the most nastiest in the state of Michigan, when it comes to history, and also school pride is on the line as well.
Well I recall the good old days of going to the Orion/Oxford football camps, wearing my dark green football helmet without pads, seeing those blue helmets with the gold trim and it lit a fire in me seeing them. I always wanted to beat them so bad, in my first ever scrimmage against Oxford I recovered a fumble, and made a key stop on a fourth down, preventing a touchdown. My teammates stormed on me, when I made that recovery, and it gave me a sense of pride that day at the old Oxford High School (Now Oxford Middle School.) However as time flew, I always wondered when will there ever be a time when Orion and Oxford would play in a regular season football game?
Well Orion and Oxford is about to go at it again, only this time Oxford enters the Oakland Activities Association from the Flint Metro League, and for the first time since 1984 these two football programs will meet in a regular season tilt. That tilt is opening Friday night when the Wildcats will travel to Lake Orion and face the Dragons.
There has been a lot of bad blood between the two programs, even at the camps don't get me wrong. There were fights all over the place, everybody wanted a piece of each other, especially when we lined up to battle, being a defensive lineman during my three years of playing football. You knew that once you saw the yellow and the blue, that you wanted to hurt them, and they wanted to hurt you back, because you were a Dragon, and you wore the dark green helmet.
Only time will tell how this old rivalry will renew in a twist, nobody knows if there will be riots or pure hate, but for the first time these two rivals will get it on in 26 years. Who will win? we'll know August 27th that's for sure.
Ah one fall day will change everything we seek when it comes to the words three miles apart, only these three miles separate Lake Orion and Oxford, but the rivalry is starting back up again, and memories for me, spill to the bottom of my heart about how this rivalry is one of the most nastiest in the state of Michigan, when it comes to history, and also school pride is on the line as well.
Well I recall the good old days of going to the Orion/Oxford football camps, wearing my dark green football helmet without pads, seeing those blue helmets with the gold trim and it lit a fire in me seeing them. I always wanted to beat them so bad, in my first ever scrimmage against Oxford I recovered a fumble, and made a key stop on a fourth down, preventing a touchdown. My teammates stormed on me, when I made that recovery, and it gave me a sense of pride that day at the old Oxford High School (Now Oxford Middle School.) However as time flew, I always wondered when will there ever be a time when Orion and Oxford would play in a regular season football game?
Well Orion and Oxford is about to go at it again, only this time Oxford enters the Oakland Activities Association from the Flint Metro League, and for the first time since 1984 these two football programs will meet in a regular season tilt. That tilt is opening Friday night when the Wildcats will travel to Lake Orion and face the Dragons.
There has been a lot of bad blood between the two programs, even at the camps don't get me wrong. There were fights all over the place, everybody wanted a piece of each other, especially when we lined up to battle, being a defensive lineman during my three years of playing football. You knew that once you saw the yellow and the blue, that you wanted to hurt them, and they wanted to hurt you back, because you were a Dragon, and you wore the dark green helmet.
Only time will tell how this old rivalry will renew in a twist, nobody knows if there will be riots or pure hate, but for the first time these two rivals will get it on in 26 years. Who will win? we'll know August 27th that's for sure.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Shot-Put Teams Preview for Middle School Track
Written Friday April 2nd at 6:42 PM
This blog is about one of the best shot-put rivalries throughout the city of Lake Orion, in the Middle School level. Three coaches that will work hard and try to bring their respective Middle School’s the Lake Orion City Championship in the shot-put for their respective track teams. This rivalry may have the feelings of something for years to come.
Enter the three shot-put coaches who were on the 2001-2002 Scripps Middle School team (under coaches Gail Miller, who coaches Scripps, and Carl Zookowski, who coaches at Oakview), and the 2003 Shot-Put team for Lake Orion High School as freshman under the teachings of Ryan Irish, Mike Hatch, and Stan Ford. They have brought greatness and success to their respective schools, in forms of winning, and proving who the best Middle School throughout Lake Orion is. One owns a Summit League Championship in Basketball at his respective University and currently holds the girl’s city championship crown represents the green and gray. Another one is a body builder who represents the green and light green. While the other one is the holder of the boy’s city meet championship, and the current boy’s shot-put Oakland County champion, that represents the green and black.
The first shot-put coach is Anthony Taormina, who coaches at Waldon Middle School. In his year in a half at Waldon, Ant has turned an already experienced but not disciplined shot-put team into a much sound disciplined and fundamental team with his knowledge and experience under the Irish and Rutledge era. Before Ant got to Waldon in May, the Waldon boy’s shot-put team last season only had three throwers, but increased in numbers once he got there. He made a very good team into a better team, and under Coach Pam Craft the sky is high for him. Waldon’s girls were also experienced and got better as well, including winning the City championship last season under Ant’s watch. The challenge this year for the newly crowned Summit League manager of the year is to rebuild the girl’s shot-put team from scratch after losing a lot of his girls to the High School, it will take some time to do so. On the boys side Ant is loaded once again and deep, led by Kevin Flynn, but Ant’s challenge in the boys will be finding a supporting cast for Flynn. Maybe some championship hardware in the near future for Waldon is in the boy’s side of the shot-put this season.
The next coach is Ben Knight, who coaches at Oakview Middle School. In his third year at Oakview, Ben is trying to rebound after a heartbreaking City Championship loss to Ant and his Waldon team in the girl’s side of the shot-put last season. Ben will likely to promote open competition and use his body building experience to help his girls get back to championship glory as they did in 2008, but it will be tough, he lost a lot of experience as well in that side of the shot-put, especially Maddie Osentowski to the High School. On the boys side Ben will be led by Josh Duncan, but his challenge will be finding a supporting cast to make sure he gets those points in that side of the meet. Ben also lost a lot of Boys from last season to the High School, this year could be very interesting at Oakview, as Ben and his close friend, in Oakview Sprint Coach, Ian Witherspoon try to pick up the peaces and reload Oakview shot-put teams back to shot-put dominance.
The last coach is Sammy Taormina, who coaches at Scripps Middle School. In his third year at Scripps, Sammy has made Scripps into an Oakland County power in shot-put, with the championships in both the City and the Oakland County Championship teams last year under Alex Lewis and John Yeglinski. Now with both of them gone to the High School, Sammy has to pick up the peaces and rebuild the boy’s shot-put team, if they have a chance at competing for another City or another Oakland County Championship. Sammy does not have that true superstar, unlike last year when he had Yeglinski and Lewis, but he also has the knowledge of his head coach Gail Miller, and the Irish and Rutledge era to back him up. In the girls side Sammy had a young team last season, most of his girls were seventh graders, and only had one eighth grader in Marissa Gonzalez. Now with Gonzalez gone to High School, Sammy has to count on the girls who went through the experience and some recruits to bring his girls shot-put team back. This season Scripps is very deep in numbers in both boys and girls in shot-put but depth alone can not win meets in shot-put, as they have to produce, and they have too if Sammy wants to have his shot-put teams compete for the city and maybe the Oakland County Championship.
All three shot-put teams do have some holes in their respective teams, as they prepare for the Regular Season on April 23rd, but we’ll find out a lot about them before the City meet occurs at Oakview on May 20th. So stay tuned
This blog is about one of the best shot-put rivalries throughout the city of Lake Orion, in the Middle School level. Three coaches that will work hard and try to bring their respective Middle School’s the Lake Orion City Championship in the shot-put for their respective track teams. This rivalry may have the feelings of something for years to come.
Enter the three shot-put coaches who were on the 2001-2002 Scripps Middle School team (under coaches Gail Miller, who coaches Scripps, and Carl Zookowski, who coaches at Oakview), and the 2003 Shot-Put team for Lake Orion High School as freshman under the teachings of Ryan Irish, Mike Hatch, and Stan Ford. They have brought greatness and success to their respective schools, in forms of winning, and proving who the best Middle School throughout Lake Orion is. One owns a Summit League Championship in Basketball at his respective University and currently holds the girl’s city championship crown represents the green and gray. Another one is a body builder who represents the green and light green. While the other one is the holder of the boy’s city meet championship, and the current boy’s shot-put Oakland County champion, that represents the green and black.
The first shot-put coach is Anthony Taormina, who coaches at Waldon Middle School. In his year in a half at Waldon, Ant has turned an already experienced but not disciplined shot-put team into a much sound disciplined and fundamental team with his knowledge and experience under the Irish and Rutledge era. Before Ant got to Waldon in May, the Waldon boy’s shot-put team last season only had three throwers, but increased in numbers once he got there. He made a very good team into a better team, and under Coach Pam Craft the sky is high for him. Waldon’s girls were also experienced and got better as well, including winning the City championship last season under Ant’s watch. The challenge this year for the newly crowned Summit League manager of the year is to rebuild the girl’s shot-put team from scratch after losing a lot of his girls to the High School, it will take some time to do so. On the boys side Ant is loaded once again and deep, led by Kevin Flynn, but Ant’s challenge in the boys will be finding a supporting cast for Flynn. Maybe some championship hardware in the near future for Waldon is in the boy’s side of the shot-put this season.
The next coach is Ben Knight, who coaches at Oakview Middle School. In his third year at Oakview, Ben is trying to rebound after a heartbreaking City Championship loss to Ant and his Waldon team in the girl’s side of the shot-put last season. Ben will likely to promote open competition and use his body building experience to help his girls get back to championship glory as they did in 2008, but it will be tough, he lost a lot of experience as well in that side of the shot-put, especially Maddie Osentowski to the High School. On the boys side Ben will be led by Josh Duncan, but his challenge will be finding a supporting cast to make sure he gets those points in that side of the meet. Ben also lost a lot of Boys from last season to the High School, this year could be very interesting at Oakview, as Ben and his close friend, in Oakview Sprint Coach, Ian Witherspoon try to pick up the peaces and reload Oakview shot-put teams back to shot-put dominance.
The last coach is Sammy Taormina, who coaches at Scripps Middle School. In his third year at Scripps, Sammy has made Scripps into an Oakland County power in shot-put, with the championships in both the City and the Oakland County Championship teams last year under Alex Lewis and John Yeglinski. Now with both of them gone to the High School, Sammy has to pick up the peaces and rebuild the boy’s shot-put team, if they have a chance at competing for another City or another Oakland County Championship. Sammy does not have that true superstar, unlike last year when he had Yeglinski and Lewis, but he also has the knowledge of his head coach Gail Miller, and the Irish and Rutledge era to back him up. In the girls side Sammy had a young team last season, most of his girls were seventh graders, and only had one eighth grader in Marissa Gonzalez. Now with Gonzalez gone to High School, Sammy has to count on the girls who went through the experience and some recruits to bring his girls shot-put team back. This season Scripps is very deep in numbers in both boys and girls in shot-put but depth alone can not win meets in shot-put, as they have to produce, and they have too if Sammy wants to have his shot-put teams compete for the city and maybe the Oakland County Championship.
All three shot-put teams do have some holes in their respective teams, as they prepare for the Regular Season on April 23rd, but we’ll find out a lot about them before the City meet occurs at Oakview on May 20th. So stay tuned
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