Could Cass Tech be Lake Orion’s mirror?

ON THE DEFENSIVE: Lake Orion's Adam Gros, shown returning an interception against Grand Blanc, has helped Lake Orion hold teams to just 10 points an outing. Courtsey Photo | Ed Maurer.

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com

LAKE ORION — In 2003, Lake Orion opened up the season as the team to beat.

With a roster packed with college prospects — many that ventured onto Division I and Division II schools after graduation — all indications pointed to Lake Orion having a Dream season. Even the two Detroit daily newspapers ranked the Dragons as No. 1 in the preseason.

Then things started to collapse.

One by one, many of the Dragons’ starters fell to the way side with injuries, some of them seasons-ending. The season ended with a 28-0 loss to Flint Carman-Ainsworth in the district opener.

Although Lake Orion has annually had one of the premier teams in Oakland County during the past decade, the school did not put together a dream run until 2008, when the Dragons reeled off 12 straight wins and reached the state title game before falling to Rockford in the Division 1 state title game, 26-14.

Rockford defeated the Dragons in the 2008 season opener as well.

This season, Lake Orion has again lived up to expectations, and except for quarterback Sean Charette, who is questionable for Saturday’s state semifinal, the Dragons have played out the season without any other major injuries.

Lake Orion (11-1) is very much alive in the postseason this year, and will play unbeaten Detroit Cass Tech (12-0) in the state semifinals at 1p.m. Saturday at Troy Athens.

Charette injured his ankle during the first quarter of Lake Orion’s 17-7 and his status was still unknown as of Wednesday. Cole Shaenzer, a senior wide receiver, is the team’s backup and he played most of the game under center against Eisenhower in the regional finals.

Can the Dragons overcome the adversity?

Schaenzer, who is also a fine pitcher/outfielder on the Dragons’ baseball team, has taken plenty of reps in practice this week to prepare to get the nod if Charette isn’t cleared to play.

“We have to just run our game plan, do what we’ve done all year, said Schaenzer. “We have a great (offensive) line and a great running back. We have playmakers at every spot on the field.

“We can make plays. (The play calling) is not changing,” said Schaenzer. “I’m going to quarterback and we have one guy that can come in (at receiver) and make plays, too. We have a lot of weapons.”

With backs Marques Stevenson and Danny Ney both capable of the big play, Lake Orion’s offensive line has also drawn great reviews by head coach Chris Bell and that unit could again be a factor.

“The two question marks coming into the season were our offensive line — how good were they going to be? And our defense? Both have been outstanding and why we have had a great year,” said Bell, who will be caching his third game in the semifinals.

Bell is concerned with Cass Tech’s size and speed, which mirrors Lake Orion in many ways. The Technicians defeated state powerhouse Macomb Dakota 31-19 for the regional title last weekend, as they recorded four interceptions against the Cougars.

“(They are) great at the skilled positions and defensively they’ve got two very good corners,” conceded Bell.  “There’s a lot of size on the defensive line. Not a lot of teams put points on them. They’re good on both sides of the ball.”

Quarterback Keith Moore and running back Christian Burks, who rushed for 249 yards on 18 carries against Dakota last week, are Cass Tech’s top offensive threats. Terry Richardson, a junior, and Michigan-commitment Delonte Howowell leads a talented secondary. Royce Jenkins-Stone is one of the state’s best linebackers.

Cass Tech is making its first-ever appearance in the Final Four.

“They’re a very good football team,” said Bell. “They haven’t lost a game all year, and that says something about them.”

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Tags: high school football

Category: Lake Orion, Prep Wraps