Round 1 Oakland County Football Playoff Picks

Last Week's Record: 8-4   Season Record: 89-32

Birmingham Brother Rice vs. Port Huron

Port Huron is not a team to be taken lightly with quarterback Mark Chapman, but the Warriors have the deeper team and that should show through in the first round. Look for the backfield tandem of Brian Walker and Shonn Powell to wear down the Port Huron defense and take Brother Rice to a round one win.

Brother Rice 35, Port Huron 17

Auburn Hills Avondale vs. Bloomfield Hills Lahser

Avondale was one of the better teams in Oakland County during the regular season, while Lahser seemed to struggle down the stretch in the final weeks of the season. But with a quarterback like Spencer McCourt and a running back like Nate Emery, counting the Knights out is just a bad idea.

Lahser 28, Avondale 24

Novi Detroit Catholic Central vs. Hartland

This is an interesting draw for the Shamrocks, facing a rejuvenated Hartland team that bounced back from a 4-5 record last year and finished the regular season with an 8-1 mark. But Catholic Central isn’t like any other team on Hartland’s schedule this year and look for Anthony Darkangelo and David Houle to make life difficult for the Eagles.

NDCC 42, Hartland 35

Walled Lake Northern vs. Howell

First division title, first conference title, first playoff berth and now the Knights are in search of their first ever playoff win. Northern simply has too much speed for a team like Howell to keep up with and it will start showing through in the second half.

Northern 56, Howell 35

Oak Park vs. Detroit Cody

It’s been a tough two weeks for the OAA White champs, but look for Malik Washington and Co. to get back on track in round one of the playoffs. While the offense had been good throughout the year, don’t overlook this Oak Park defense who shut offenses down with regularity throughout the first seven games of the season.

Oak Park 28, Cody 14

Southfield vs. Detroit MLK

The Southfield offense has been very good over the course of the past few weeks, but with the likely return of wide receiver Brandon Bean could be what puts the Blue Jays over the top. Defensively, Southfield has continued to improve over the course of the past few weeks, and if the offense can match the defense, Southfield can go a long way in the playoffs.

Southfield 21, MLK 14 

Farmington vs. Walled Lake Western

In my opinion, this is by far the best first round matchup in the state. Western has been one of the hottest teams in the state over the course of the past five weeks, while Farmington might be the best 6-3 team in the state. But the Farmington defense and the backfield duo of Connor Mohr and Jordan Degreffenreed could be just enough for the Falcons to move on.

Farmington 24, Western 21 in OT

Oxford vs. Birmingham Seaholm

The Maples didn’t win the OAA Blue with an 8-1 record for no reason. Seaholm has one of the area’s best defenses and over the course of the past few weeks, the Maples offense has been nearly as impressive. Look for the Maples to shut down the Oxford offense while running back Tim List will have a big day to lead Seaholm to the second round.

Seaholm 13, Oxford 6

Birmingham Detroit Country Day vs. Clintondale

Clintondale may be perfect this season, but I’d doubt that it has faced a team quite like Country Day this season. With running back Richie Wilson, quarterback Tyler Weigers and Poet Thomas, the Yellowjackets just have too much fire power for Clintondale to handle as Country Day will be moving on.

Country Day 28, Clintondale 24

Farmington Hills Harrison vs. Fenton

Fenton might be the best in the state when it comes to point differential this year, but Harrison will pose an even bigger and tougher challenge than what Fenton was expecting before the selection show. This game will be close, but with players like Lorenzo Collins, Ed Huckelby and Jake Slobin, the Hawks will have just enough to outlast Fenton.

Harrison 28, Fenton 21

Livonia Clarenceville vs. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep

Congrats to Clarenceville for making the playoffs, but this is not the type of matchup it was hoping for. Too much Jermaih Johnson and Joe Kutil for Clarenceville to be able to handle. Onto the second round where another Oakland County team could be waiting for the Irish.

ND Prep 35, Clarenceville 14

Pittsford vs. Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes

As I said in a previous post, I believe that the Lakers are headed for Ford Field this fall, and I don’t expect the Lakers to be truly challenged until round three of the playoffs. I’m not saying it will be this week, but expect a big time game winning kick from kicker Spencer Howell at some point during WOLL’s playoff run.

WOLL 35, Pittsford 17