STICK’S PICKS: There’s nothing wrong with playing football a little early
THE REVENGE BUSINESS:TRoy Athens' Ben Bartnowak (lkeft) and Lonnie Bolden are looking to avenge last season's defeat to Pontiac. File Photo | Dan Stickradt
The week before Labor Day to high school football fans is like Christmas Eve to eager kids. Some people can’t wait until Christmas morning to unravel some of their presents, just like some can’t wait to Friday to catch some prep football.
In the past decade, many local schools have opted to move up their games to Thursday night — one day earlier than normal — to have an extra day for their holiday weekend.
A good excuse to move up some football.
Regardless, there are some interesting matchups in Week 2.
One is Thursday’s Rochester-Lake Orion matchup. The Falcons are trying to prove that last season’s playoff berth was not a fluke and the Dragons are trying to avoid a 0-2 start for the first time since 1991.The Falcons last beat the Dragons in both 1995 and 1996.
Another game is Troy at Royal Oak. Troy beat up on the Ravens last year but Royal Oak won its first game in years last week and has some new-found confidence.
Auburn Hills Avondale and Hazel Park have had some great games in recent years, including two memorable games last season. This time they will play each other on turf for the first time.
Troy Athens will be looking to avenge Pontiac, while Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest, Rochester Adams and Holly all have high hopes of bouncing back after some Week 1 hiccups.
All teams will have a much better understanding of where they stand after the next two nights.
Fans will be able to catch more than one game, as local teams will be involved in nine games Thursday and five more Friday.
All games are set for 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
THURSDAY’S GAMES
ROCHESTER AT LAKE ORION: It’s been nearly 15 years since we would have legitimately thought this ….
PICK: Rochester by 1.
OAK PARK AT ROCHESTER STONEY CREEK: There is plenty of hype surrounding Oak Park, with its new coach and what seemingly is the all-transfer team. At Stoney Creek, there are only two returning starters. The Cougars were impressive in their rout of Port Huron Northern last week, while Oak Park slipped past small school Detroit Loyola. Sounds like Stoney Creek might be ahead of schedule in its rebuilding year.
PICK: Rochester Stoney Creek by 6.
HAZEL PARK AT AUBURN HILLS AVONDALE: These teams battled to two high-scoring games last year. It was so wild that they had to replace light bulbs in the scoreboards after each contest. This time the game is played on Avondale’s new turf field inside its brand new athletics complex. Hazel Park won’t spoil the debut.
PICK: Auburn Hills Avondale by 10.
HOLLY AT SWARTZ CREEK: After a crushing 30-29 loss last Friday to Lapeer East, Holly will get back on track this week — convincingly.
PICK: Holly by 10.
CLARKSTON AT WEST BLOOMFIELD: Two programs heading in opposite directions. Clarkston is headed into OAA Red Division league title contention this season while the Lakers are sinking towards the cellar once again.
PICK: Clarkston by 14.
PONTIAC NOTRE DAME PREP AT FLINT NORTHWESTERN: Notre Dame Prep is riding a five-game win streak going back to the final four games of last season and last week’s season opener. Make it six straight for the Fighting Irish.
PICK: Pontiac Notre Dame Prep by 10.
ROCHESTER HILLS LUTHERAN NORTHWEST AT WESTLAND LUTHERAN: We still remember the lopsided win turned in by Northwest last season. Different year, same result.
PICK: Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest by 14.
WATERFORD OUR LADY OF THE LAKES AT HAMTRAMCK: Can we watch some live bands play at Paychecks or The Attic after the Lakers roll in convincing fashion?
PICK: Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes by 15.
FLINT KEARSLEY AT ORTONVILLE BRANDON: The scheduling definitely favors the Blackhawks, who can iron out the kinks against some of the weaker teams in the Flint Metro League early in the season and play the top teams later in the campaign.
PICK: Ortonville Brandon by 14.
FRIDAY’S GAMES
TROY AT ROYAL OAK: Congrats to Royal Oak for winning its first game in over three years last week. It’s too bad for the Ravens that there will not be any type of win streak recorded on this night.
PICK: Troy by 10.
PONTIAC AT TROY ATHENS: Athens coach Josh Heppner called last year’s loss to the Phoenix the worst he’s ever been associated with as a coach or player. After Friday, he will be talking about how sweet revenge tastes at some Labor Day barbeques.
PICK: Troy Athens by 3.
OXFORD AT SOUTHFIELD LATHRUP (4:30 p.m.): I’ll say this after Oxford thoroughly crushed defending Division 1 state champion Lake Orion last Friday … Can I request the Monkees’ “I’m A Believer”? Make that happen, Collin Goetz.
PICK: Oxford by 14.
TROY CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY AT NORTH BALTIMORE (OHIO): This was a late switch after both teams had their original opponents back out. North Baltimore is near Bowling Green, Ohio. That’s about we know.
PICK: North Baltimore by 7.
ROCHESTER ADAMS AT FARMINGTON: Some say that Adams is way down this season and that may be the case. But it’s still hard to think the Highlanders could start 0-2. Wait, have a little faith.
PICK: Rochester Adams by 3.
(Stick’s Picks is prep seer for the AdaVan Media Group’s www.northoaklandsports.com and also CEO of the Stickradt Media Group sportswriting public relations firm. He can be reached at dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com. Follow us on Twitter @LocalSportsFans and on over a dozen social media networks.)
Category: Auburn Hills Avondale, Auburn Hills Oakland Christian, Clarkston, Clarkston Everest Catholic, Editor's Column, High School, High School (M-Z), Lake Orion, Oxford, Prep Wraps, Publishers Viewpoint, Rochester, Rochester Adams, Rochester Hills Lutheran NW, Rochester Stoney Creek, Top Stories, Troy, Troy Athens
