BY DAN STICKRADT SENIOR EDITOR dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com Twitter: @LocalSportsFans TROY — Troy Christian Leadership Academy made an abrupt turnaround in 2011. The Defenders had their best football season to date by a long shot. Troy finished the season 9-2 overall and had the second-best record in the Christian Football League of Michigan, going 5-1 in […]
BY DAN STICKRADT SENIOR EDITOR dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com Twitter: @LocalSportsFans ROCHESTER HILLS — A season of disappointments can often spurn a season of memories. Auburn Hills Avondale is hoping for just that in 2012. The Yellowjackets finished just 5-5 last season, which ended abruptly with a 48-13 loss to Lapeer East in the first round of […]
2012 PREP FOOTBALL SCHEDULES Below are the prep football team schedules for schools that are located in the coverage area for digital daily www.northoaklandsports.com and the Real Deal sports and coupons magazine. AUBURN HILLS AVONDALE Thurs. Aug. 23 Hazel Park H 7 p.m. Thurs. Aug. 30 Birmingham Groves H 7 p.m. Fri. […]
BY JAKE LOURIM STUDENT CORRESPONDENT j.lourim@comcast.net TROY — When it comes to Troy football, the Colts’ recent performances on the field have been subpar. Troy is 14-13 in the past three years, with its lone playoff game a loss. This year’s team has had enough of that — and it’s ready to put an end […]
Could anyone imagine Bud Rowley anywhere but out on or near a football field? Perhaps a beautiful, picturesque golf course, with ponds and a winding river next to a hill or a mountain. “Naaah,” laughed Rowley on the eve of prep football practice starting. Bud Rowley coaches high school football. Oxford Wildcats football to be […]
BY DAN STICKRADT SENIOR EDITOR dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com Twitter: @LocalSportsFans HOLLY — For many years while growing up in the community of Holly, Johnny Williams had visions of righting the ship. No, Holly is not a lakeside town with a shipping industry. In fact, it is nestled in the hills of northwestern Oakland County, far away […]
BY JAKE LOURIM STUDENT CORRESPONDENT j.lourim@comcast.net TROY — There was an air of change before the Troy soccer team opened its season Monday night athome. Head coach Brian Zawislak did not coach because of the birth of his second daughter early Sunday morning, the Colts returned only three starters from last year’s team and […]
BY DAN STICKRADT SENIOR EDITOR dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com Twitter: @LocalSportsFans ROCHESTER HILLS — Ever since Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest ended last football season on a 1-4 skid, including losses in its last three games, Don Justice challenged his players. What will it take in the offseason to turn the tables? Justice, who is in his eighth […]
PREP FOOTBALL 2012 — CONFERENCE BREAKDOWNS The staff at www.northoaklandsports.com and The Real Deal sports and coupons magazine break down the local prep football conferences. OAA RED DIVISION — 1. Clarkston; 2. Lake Orion; 3. Troy; 4. Rochester; 5. Troy Athens; 6. Rochester Stoney Creek; 7. West Bloomfield; 8. Pontiac. OAA BLUE DIVISION — 1. […]
BY JAKE LOURIM STUDENT CORRESPONDENT j.lourim@comcast.net TROY — Losing four top underclassmen would deplete most soccer programs. Not Troy. The Colts just go to the next man up. “Fortunately, in Troy, someone steps up and does the job,” Troy coach Brian Zawislak said. “We’re not short of talent here. I think it’s the […]
BY DAN STICKRADT SENIOR EDITOR dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com Twitter: @LocalSportsFans ROCHESTER HILLS — In recent years, the question regarding OAA Red Division football is which school will boast the team that steps up and challenges perennial powers Lake Orion and Clarkston. Two years ago, Rochester did the trick with a third-place finish and last year Troy […]
BY DAN STICKRADT SENIOR EDITOR dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com Twitter: @LocalSportsFans ROCHESTER HILLS — Perhaps there is pressure suiting up these days at Rochester Adams. Two decades ago, Adams had never qualified for the prep football state playoffs. Now, the Highlanders are shooting for their area record 16th straight postseason appearance. “That’s always a goal,” admitted Adams […]
BY DAN STICKRADT SENIOR EDITOR dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com Twitter: @LocalSportsFans ROCHESTER HILLS — Three wins in two years. That’s Rochester Stoney Creek’s story on the gridiron. The Cougars hope a coaching switch can help give the program, which gained only four winning seasons in its first decade and posted a 40-52 record in that time frame, […]
PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEWS 2012 OAKLAND ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION TEAM CAPSULES (Team capsules compiled by Dan Stickradt. He can be reached by email at dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com. Follow on Twitter @LocalSportsFans) OAA RED DIVISION Clarkston HEAD COACH: Kurt Richardson, 26th season (179-76). ASSISTANT COACHES: Jeff Long, Pete Gallagher, Tom Hurley, Ryan Kaul, Phil Price, Brian Zezula, […]
PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEWS 2012 OAKLAND ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION TEAM CAPSULES Team capsules compiled by Dan Stickradt. He can be reached by email at dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com. Follow on Twitter @LocalSportsFans) OAA WHITE DIVISION Farmington HEAD COACH: John Bechtel, 14th season (75-65). ASSISTANT COACHES: Tom Burk, Jason Albrecht, Greg Smith, Harvey Heitman, Chuck Petitpas, Rod Risner 2011 […]
PREP FOOTBALL 2012 CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE TEAM CAPSULES (Team capsules compiled by Dan Stickradt. He can be reached by email at dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com. Follow on Twitter @LocalSportsFans) CHSL-CENTRAL DIVISION Birmingham Brother Rice HEAD COACH: Al Fracassa, 53rd season (404-115-7 overall). ASSISTANT COACHES: 2011 RECORD: 10-4, 1-3 CHSL-Central Division (fourth); Postseason: Def. North Farmington […]
PLAYOFFS CHART Below is a look back at all of the prep football teams from the www.northoaklandsports.com coverage area and the years that each school reached the postseason. The order is listed from most to least playoffs teams: Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes Postseason Appearances: 22, 1982, 1983, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993; […]
PREP FOOTBALL 2012 OAKLAND ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION TEAM CAPSULES OAA BLUE DIVISION (Team capsules compiled by Dan Stickradt. He can be reached by email at dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com. Follow on Twitter @LocalSportsFans) Auburn Hills Avondale HEAD COACH: Steve Deutsch, 11th season at Avondale (50-46); 28th overall. ASSISTANT COACHES: Torre Robinson, Anthony Epperson, James Prince, Roderick Reed, Stephen Watkins, […]
