EYES ON NEXT YEAR
Rochester Adams bringing back big playmakers for 2022 season
ROCHESTER HILLS » There will plenty of horses left in the stable for the Rochester Adams football team in 2022.
Although the Highlanders just lost in the Division 1 state championship game over last weekend (55-33 to Belleville), the returning Adams players already have their eye on taking another shot at the brass ring.
“This (state finals appearance) was a big step for us as a program, we’ve never gotten this far at the Division 1 level and it’s something we intend to build on going forward,” sophomore wide receiver/ tight end Brady Prieskorn said. “We’ve set a bar for everyone coming after this team. That includes next year’s club and I guarantee we’ll be gunning to get back to Ford Field from Day 1. That’s the expectation now we want to hold ourselves to. We proved we had what it took to get here and we definitely want to get back here next November and finished what we stated.”
Prieskorn caught four passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns in the 2021 state finals. The 6-foot-5 hybrid playmaker should be one of the area’s hottest college recruits on the offensive side of the football this off-season. He already has an offer from Central Michigan and is also one of the best frontcourt performers out of the OAA on the basketball floor during the winter.
Most importantly, the centerpiece of the Adams attack, the snap-crackle-and-pop specialists better known as the fantastic Picot twins will be back fueling the Highlanders’ jets next fall.
Parker, the do-everything quarterback, is probably the top dual threat signal caller in Metro Detroit and possibly the entire state.
Tait, who led Adams in tackles from a viper spot, will most likely see considerably more touches on offense to take maximum advantage of his playmaking ability.
Both Picot brothers are Division I baseball recruits and possible future MLB Draft picks. Parker is already committed to play shortstop at the University of Alabama.
“We go out and give it our all, every bit of our hearts and souls no matter what sport we’re playing and that’s what we’re going to do again next August when our senior season begins,” Parker said.
Parker Picot accounted for 31 touchdowns this year, throwing for 1,115 yards and 11 scores and running for 1,405 yards and 20 trips into the end zone.
Nick Patera (safety), Rocco Orsini (linebacker) and Hassan Murray (defensive lineman), each a crucial cog in the Highlanders wheel of success in ‘21, are back with the Picots for their senior campaigns in ‘22.
“We’ll lose some weapons, but the culture will stay strong,” longtime Adams head coach Tony Patritto said. “Culture carries over and transcends season to season.”