Can Clarkston defend OAA Red title?
The OAA Red is known for providing state title contenders.
Since 2013, four Division 1 titles have come out of the OAA Red, including last year’s title for West Bloomfield.
Will the conference continue to produce top-end talent in 2021? Here’s a look at the teams making up this year’s conference race.
Clarkston
Head Coach: Kurt Richardson (34th Year, 266-96)
Last Year’s Record: 7-1
Key Returners on Offense: Mike DePillo (QB), Ethan Clark (RB), Cole Dellinger (OL)
Key Returners on Defense: Caleb Stalworth (LB), Brady Krcziok (LB), Ian Olsen (S)
Strengths: Passing game and running game.
Areas To Improve: Line play on both sides of the ball after losing All-Americans Rocco Spindler (Notre Dame) and Garrett Dellinger (LSU) to graduation.
Outlook: “We’ll go as far as Mike DePillo and Ethan Clark take us, they’re our engine,” said Richardson, the most-tenured coach in Oakland County
Lake Orion
Head Coach: John Blackstock (4th year, 20-16)
Last Year’s Record: 3-3
Key Returners on Offense: Kyler Carson (RB), Dorian Hill (SB), Stephen Brown (WR), C.J. Whitt (WR), Patrick Rowland (TE), Danny Babcock (OL)
Key Returners on Defense: Ethan Strand (LB), Joey Thede (DE)
Strengths: Experience, team speed and strength, line play on
both sides of the ball.
Areas To Improve: Fourquarter stamina, finishing games.
Outlook: Ready to play the dark horse in their hunt for the OAA Red title, the Dragons have the firepower and fierce competitive edge.
Oxford
Head Coach: Zach Line (2nd year, 2-5)
Last Year’s Record: 2-5 Key Returners on Offense: Brady Carpenter (QB), Tate Myre (RB), Gavin Green 9OL), Landon Severn (SB), Sal Vackaro (SB), Marco Vaccaro (SB), Jack Keene (WR), Mitch Viviano (TE)
Key Returners on Defense: Tate Myre (LB), Gavin Green (OL), Landon Severn (DB), Sal Vackaro (DB), Mitch Viviano (DE/ LB)
Strengths: Experience, leadership, chemistry, toughness.
Areas To Improve: Executing Coach Line’s more widespread offense.
Outlook: Possesses all the intangibles to have a very good season and kickstart the Line regime into being a perennial OAA force.
Southfield A&T
Head Coach: Aaron Marshall (first year)
Last Year’s Record: 3-4 Key Returners on Offense: Isaiah “Zeke” Marshall (QB), Dayvon Young (WR), Darrell Jones (WR/ KR/PR), Aaron Bradley (OL)
Key Returners on Defense: Cam Smith (LB), Devon Buskin (CB)
Strengths: Quarterback play, speed at wide receiver, the return game.
Areas To Improve: Finding the consistency week-in, week-out that past Warriors teams have lacked.
Outlook: Zeke Marshall is lightning in the bottle under center and will give the Warriors a chance to win every week.
Stoney Creek
Head Coach: Nick Merlo (fourth year, 15-12)
Last Year’s Record: 7-1, won OAA White title
Key Returners on Offense: Jonny Fogler (RB), Zach Hager (RB, Eric Boothe (WR)
Key Returners on Defense: Seth Luhmann (LB)
Strengths: The rushing attack.
Areas To Improve: Game experience for newcomers.
Outlook: The defending OAA White champs will have an uphill battle this season competing with the big boys in the OAA Red.
West Bloomfield
Head Coach: Tyrice Grice (first year)
Last Year’s Record: 11-1, won Division 1 state championship
Key Returners on Offense: Dillon Tatum (RB), Malik Mathiea (RB), Semaj Morgan (WR), Amir Herring (OL), Ryan Ross (OL)
Key Returners on Defense: Brandon DavisSwain (DE), Michael Williams (LB/DL), Kyle “K.J.” Johnson (S), Bertrelle “B.J.” Rankin (S)
Strengths: Skill positions, offensive line, pass rush, secondary play.
Areas To Improve: Cleaning up the penalties.
Outlook: Poised to be nationally ranked, the Lakers are the frontrunners to claim a second straight Division 1 state crown in Year 1 of the Grice regime in the “Swamp.”