Lake Orion looking for a different outcome in D-1 state title game

WITHIN REACH: Lake Orion's Robert Aiello hauls in the catch against Detroit Cass Tech. Staff Photo | Larry McKee, www.lmckeephotography.com

ON TO FORD FIELD: Lake Orion's Tyler Misiak embraces Adam Gros following the Dragons' semifinals-clinching win which sends Lake Orion to the title game for the second time in school history. Staff Photo | Larry McKee, www.lmckeephotography.com

LETHAL BOOT: Plymouth's Kyle Brindza is widely considered the best high school kicker in the state. Courtesy Photo, www.plymouthcantonsports.com

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com

DETROIT — There are some differences for Lake Orion regarding Saturday’s Division 1 state championship football game as compared to the Dragons’ first championship game in 2008: Lake Orion is looking for a better outcome.

This time the seventh-ranked Dragons will take on unranked Plymouth at 1 p.m. Saturday at Ford Field in Detroit having some experience of playing on the season’s final day.

“Our goal is to go down there and win it this time,” beamed Lake Orion coach Chris Bell, who is in his 13^th season with the Dragons. “For the coaches, I think we understand (the) preparation

The Dragons (12-1) will take on Plymouth (11-2), which is in a completely different boat in terms of postseason experience up until this season. Although the Wildcats will take have made the postseason in five of their seven years a program, including four straight, this team is on quite a roll. In fact, the postseason wins the past four weeks are the only four in school history.

“They are a very good football team that is playing with a lot of confidence right now,” admitted Bell. “Look at who they have beat to get here. They beat three of the better programs in the state (Plymouth Canton, Novi Detroit Catholic Central and Rockford) the past three weeks.”

Last week’s win over Rockford, state champs in 2008, 2005 and 2004, came with four seconds left, as the Wildcats score a late touchdown to prevail 20-17. Rockford had taken the lead with 1:15 to play with a touchdown drive of its own.

Plymouth opened its doors in 2004 and were only 2-7 in their inaugural season. The Wildcats are 41-30 overall in their brief history.

Lake Orion defeated Detroit Cass Tech 24-21, causing the Technicians to fumble inside the Dragons’ 10-yard-line inside the final minute to hold on for the dramatic victory.

Plymouth coach Mike Sawchuk is very weary of Lake Orion’s talented arsenal of athletes.

“Lake Orion is a very athletic team. Their running back is very good and they have a couple of wingbacks who can break it,” said Sawchuk. “We’re going to have to play assignment football because anybody on their team can outrun us and take it to the house on any play.”

Bell is expecting another close game and thinks that points may come at a premium.

“What makes them so good is their defense. That’s their strength” offered Bell. “They have weapons on offense, too, but their defense is definitely their strength.

“They have a very good defense, especially in the playoffs. They have a receiver (Brennen Beyer) that is going to Michigan. They have a solid quarterback and very good line play. Their kicker could be their biggest weapon,” continued Bell. “They have the state’s best kicker. He’s phenomenal. Field position is going to be key. We have to keep them as far away as we can. Kyle Brindza is a weapon. Anywhere inside the 50, the kid can hit it. He’s the best kicker in the state, no doubt.”

Lake Orion heads into the finals healthy except for quarterback Sean Charette, who went down with a foot injury during the first quarter two weeks ago during the Dragons’ regional finals victory over Utica Eisenhower.

Cole Schaenzer, who has been one of Lake Orion’s top receivers the past couple of years and is a Division I baseball recruit, has filled in adequately at the QB spot. Schaenzer is more comfortable leading the Dragons’ offense now that he has had plenty of reps the past couple of weeks in practice.

“It’s different in preparation yet helpful to go from wide receiver to quarterback. I see where the holes are really open,” offered Schaenzer. “It’s good getting both perspectives for everything.”

Tyler Misiak, one of the Dragons’ top defensive backs, said this is a culmination of four years of hard work.

“It’s crazy. It’s unbelievable. All of the hard work is finally paying off,” said Misiak. “We’ve been working for this for so long.”

While seniors Marques Stevenson and Danny Ney played in Lake Orion’s first state title game two years ago, along with Charette, who was a rare freshman starter at QB, Misiak was part of a large group of players who were called up for the state tournament run two years ago and gained the experience of being at Ford Field.

“It was a great experience,” added Misiak. “The community was incredible, behind us. We expect that will be the same this time.

“It’s an honor (being in the state finals),” said Misiak. “We get to go twice in our careers. Most (players) never get a chance to get here.”

Can the Dragons find some better fortune in this year’s title game?

“With our defense and offense, we’re ready to go,” said Schaenzer. “We have a lot of weapons on this team. This is (what we have been waiting for).”

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Category: Lake Orion, Prep Wraps