ROCHESTER HILLS – Talk about getting off on the right foot.

Defending Division 1 girls cross-country state champion Romeo opened up the 2025 campaign by winning the Golden Grizzlies Invitational Friday at Oakland University.

The Bulldogs finished ahead of multiple quality programs – several from the Macomb Area Conference and Oakland Activities Association – and many teams expected to do well this fall. Romeo collected just 66 points to finish ahead of Rochester (86), Novi (88), Utica (112), Clarkston (130), Macomb Dakota (153), Rochester Stoney Creek (159), Fraser (166), Oxford (227) and Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (263) in a field that featured several returning All-State runners from Division 1 and Division 2.

The field was deep as state qualifying teams from all three of the state’s four divisions competed at the annual event. Remember, Rochester (fourth), Utica (16th), Fraser (23rd), Novi (24th) and Clarkston (27th) also competed at last year’s D1 state meet. Even D2 state qualifiers Notre Dame Prep (10th), Dearborn Division Child (20th) and Macomb Lutheran North (23rd) competed in this at the Golden Grizzlies Invite and finished in the top 20.

Romeo, Rochester and Clarkston have all won state championships over the years.

In impressive fashion, Romeo junior Annie Hrabovsky joined some elite company as she clocked 17:15.20 to win the race. Her effort ranks her inside the top 50 all-time in Michigan history – a state known for producing high-level distance runners. Hrabovsky was 11th at last November’s Division 1 state meet at Michigan Speedway near Brooklyn, Mich.

Romeo had three of the top four finishers, as Ella Goodsell was second (18:00.84) and Natalia Guaresimo fourth (18:24.43). Emmerson Clor was 11th (19:19.62) and Ella Thibodeau a distant 48th (21:25.59) to aid Romeo’s championship effort. The Bulldogs return five of its top seven runners and plenty of depth runners from last year’s roster.

Runner-up Rochester was paced by returning All-State runner Ella Abraham, who was fifth (18:36.29), while Charlotte Jones finished 10th (19:16.35). The Falcons return seven of their top 10 runners and have several key newcomers.

Oxford freshman Taryn Moore made her high school debut by finishing third (18:04.70), as the former Oakland County 1,600 and 3,200 middle school champion is expected to be one of the top ninth-graders in Michigan. Stoney Creek’s Leah Corby finished sixth (18:40.28), Novi’s Katelynn Egli seventh (19:01.14), Utica’s Siene Muraszewski (19:05.74) and Dakota’s Lidia Clancy ninth (19:16.16).

Meanwhile, Romeo’s boys team, which dipped to 24th at last season’s D1 state finals, edged Clarkston 64-71 to earn the crown Friday at OU. Macomb Dakota slipped just ahead of Rochester for third (114-115), while Macomb Lutheran North (158), Oxford (171), Utica (176), Fraser (178), Walled Lake Northern (179) and Rochester Stoney Creek followed in the top 10 of the star-studded field.

Likewise, Clarkston (12th), Oxford (13th), Utica (15th), Dakota (20th) and Romeo (24th) all competed at the D1 state meet in 2024, while Lutheran North was 22nd in Division 2.

Clarkston took the top two spots, as David Dubeck broke the tape in 15:50.81 and Ryan Barnes finished in the runner-up slot (15:55.36).

Romeo’s depth was a little better, as Owen Perry was fifth (16:10.50), Rio Hrabovsky 12th (16:32.26), Luke Allen 14th (16:35.12), James Brickel 16th (16:36.82) and Carson Hlavin 17th (16:39.58), which helped the Bulldogs land all five of their point-scorers inside the top 20.

Clarkston had three other finishers in the top 30, as Vern Clyne (19th, 16:49.20), Miles Foster (21st, 16:52.73) and Anthony Dubeck (28th, 17:06.27) helped the Wolves contend.

Rochester’s Dylan Pascoe was third (16:06.19), Lutheran North’s Joshua Macri fourth (16:08.18), Rochester’s Owen Owczarek sixth (16:14.03), Walled Lake Northern’s Finn Gammerath seventh (16:16.83), Lutheran North’s Xavier Roman eighth (16:18.30), Dakota’s Joseph Kaleto ninth (16:21.22) and Utica’s Harper Wesley 10th (16:23.40) in the deep field of over 130 runners.

ROCHESTER HILLS – This time around there was no drama for Rochester Adams.

After defeating Romeo in overtime in the season opener last season, 22-21 — the winning points were scored courtesy of a 2-point conversion toss — Rochester Adams picked up little resistance Thursday with a resounding 39-7 victory over visiting Romeo in the season opener for both teams.

Three players did a lot of the damage, with senior quarterback Ryland Watters finishing a perfect 5-for-5 passing for 112 yards with two touchdown passes while rushing for 67 yards on 11 carries with two more touchdowns. Senior Matt Toeppner had six carries for 35 yards and hauled in three catches for 87 yards and two scores, and junior Lorenzo Sartor rushed for 118 yards on 11 carries to go along with a catch for 15 yards.

The Highlanders, state semifinalists last season, racked up 127 passing yards and 276 rushing yards using a wide variety of ball carriers (seven) and receivers (three) on the night.

The early lead set the tone and the Highlanders picked up steam.

“A thousand percent,” said veteran Adams coach Tony Patritto of his team’s start. “Toeppner has always been a great player for us. He emerged during the second half of last season for us. He had a great camp. He a tough kid — he has a great burst running. He never takes a down off. He’s a throwback.

“But we have a lot of kids who can makes players. That’s who we are. It could be someone different each game,” added Patritto.

Romeo graduated all of its defensive starters and brought back just four players that started games last year on the offensive side of the ball. The inexperience showed against a state powerhouse program in Rochester Adams.

“We don’t return much in terms of starters,” admitted Romeo coach Curt Rienas. “We don’t have any defensive starters back and just four players that started some games for us last season on offense. We have a lot of new players in there tonight. It showed. We fell behind early.

“And no, we did not recover,” added Rienas. “We replaced a lot of guys and we played very hesitant tonight. And Adams is a very good football team with a lot of experience and it showed. We can’t play hesitant against a team with that type of caliber like Adams. We have lots of room for improvement.”

Senior quarterback Sammy Nepa finished 10-for-15 passing for 115 yards for Romeo before exiting the game late in the second quarter. Junior running back Troy Smith had two catches for 59 yards and also rushed for 20 yards on seven carries and scored the lone touchdown on the ground for the Bulldogs (0-1).

Junior Brady Lindstrom and senior Liam Bullock had fumble recoveries for Adams, with Bullock’s strip and recovery helping set up the Highlanders’ second touchdown that gave them a 17-0 advantage three plays later. Defensively, the Highlanders dominated while offensively Adams controlled the line of scrimmage despite having just three starters check in at over 200 pounds and having just one returning offensive lineman back in uniform from the Division 1 Final Four team.

“We’re not very big, but we make up for it,” said Patritto. “I remember in 2005 a long time ago our biggest player was our quarterback but we were still able to win a lot of games that season. He weighed 205 pounds.”

After forcing Romeo to punt on its first series, Toeppner hauled in a short pass from Watters and raced 60 yards on Adams’ first play from scrimmage for the 7-0 lead with 8:39 still to go in the first quarter. Junior Nolan Grahn nailed the extra point and also booted a 24-yard field goal with 1:47 remaining in the first quarter for a 10-0 advantage.

Watters, a Ferris State University commit, scored on a 16-yard sweep with 3:20 left in the half to move the lead up to 17-0.

Romeo finally got untracked late in the second quarter when Smith scored on a 3-yard run with 45 seconds remaining in the half to trim the deficit down to 17-7.

Adams responded in a flash, putting together a swift three-play drive that was capped by a Watters 25-yard TD strike to Toeppner with 19 ticks left in the half to push the advantage up to 24-7 by the break.

In the second half, Adams controlled the clock and picked up two more scoring drives. Watters scored on a 1-yard plunge and Watters hit Jesse Geottes with a 2-point conversion pass for a 32-7 lead with 6:18 still left in the third stanza. Lindstrom, the backup quarterback, capped the scoring with a 32-yard touchdown run up the middle with 4:40 to play. Grahn added four extra points.

DETROIT – A missed extra point and a last-second interception prevented Lake Orion from opening football season with a victory over Northville for the second year in a row.

The Mustangs fended off a wild comeback by the Dragons in the final minute of Thursday night’s Amazon Prep Kickoff Classic contest at Wayne State University to win 14-13.

Trailing 14-7, the Dragons’ defense provided hope by forcing several incompletions to stop the clock before a fourth-down sack by senior Nicholas Frantz for a huge loss gave the offense the ball at midfield with just under four minutes to go.

The comeback only ramped up from there. Ryan Rocheleau’s 11-yard catch over the middle on fourth-and-5 followed by a 26-yard draw several plays later from running back James Bambard got the Dragons to the 3-yard line with under two minutes to go, and Bambard would take it right of center from a yard out for the touchdown with 47 seconds left.

But despite punching it in, the extra point that would have tied the game was driven low of the goalposts.

However, hope was not lost for Lake Orion. Kicker Sam Powers redeemed himself with a well-executed onside kick that took a bounce under a Northville player’s hands at the 50-yard line, then jumped over another before being gathered by Lake Orion senior Max Neering, leaving the Dragons just 38 yards to go with 42 ticks remaining.

Bambard did pick up two first downs that got Lake Orion inside the red zone, but the Dragons were called for a hold on a rollout by junior quarterback Anderson Adams, backing them up to the 26-yard line with seven seconds to go.

Following an incompletion on third down, Lake Orion was left with one play left and four seconds, but Anderson’s end-zone attempt to the 6-foot-5 Rocheleau, who was double-covered, resulted in a pick by Austin McGarrow, who ran it the opposite way some way before being brought down with time expired.

And with that, the comeback fell short.

Lake Orion head coach Chris Bell discussed his thought process on electing not to kick a potential game-winning field goal on the final play.

“Our kicker is a first-year guy, and even then, at the end of the game, that missed extra point is completely on me,” Bell said. “I should have went for two instead of putting a first-year guy in that situation. By then, I felt like after we had just missed one, so I’m just thinking, ‘You know what, let’s just throw it up to Ryan and see if we can come down with one.’ That was the plan.”

As to whether the missed extra point factored into the decision, Bell replied, “A little bit, (but) we would have been pushing his limits (as to whether) he could have hit it that far. It would have been about a 42-yarder.”

Northville, who had lost 21-13 at home to Lake Orion in last season’s debut, took the lead for the second time on the evening earlier in the fourth quarter. A drive that started at its own 32-yard line was capped off by a one-yard keeper from senior quarterback Cooper Derkach with 7:55 remaining – roughly the length of the possession itself.

Derkach was part of a two-horse tandem with running back Max DeFore that Lake Orion had issues slowing at times. The senior QB had a 22-yard keeper for the biggest gain on Northville’s first drive, which resulted in DeFore’s five-yard run to the outside that put the Mustangs up 7-0 with 5:27 left in the first.

Lake Orion senior Malek Pulford ensured it remained a one-score game when he blocked what would have been a 40-yard field goal with 6:30 left in the first half, and the Dragons took advantage on the ensuing drive. A pass interference call, then a 19-yard run by Brody Thompson set up paved the way for Adams’ seven-yard play-action keeper that knotted the game at 7-7 with 3:29 to go in the opening half.

Photo gallery of Lake Orion vs. Northville football in the 20th Amazon Prep Kickoff Classic

Each team had good chances at tacking on a second score both before the intermission and in the third quarter. A deflection near the goal line nearly led to a TD catch deep in the end zone with a second left in the first half for Northville, and after the break, Bambard and fellow running back Jayden Borrero were responsible for big gains on Lake Orion's first drive post-half that sputtered at the Mustangs' 32-yard line.

"I think we were able to mix up our front enough and our blitzes were able to get home a handful of times," Northville head coach Brent Luplow said. "I thought our safeties filled the alley really well in the run game, especially McGarrow. We were worried coming in because they were all over the place running the ball (from different formations), but I think our kids settled in, and I think our experience of 14 starters coming back paid off in this one."

Bell, meanwhile, said, "We're a young football team, they were playing a lot of guys in the box and we didn't take advantage of it, so that's just areas we've got to get better in. It was tough sledding there with nine guys (in the box), and we did a good job running the ball, but we just had missed opportunities. Little plays here and there -- it might have been a receiver screen where we missed one block, and we missed some easy throws earlier -- and against a good team, you can't miss opportunities."

Lake Orion aims to get its first win at home in Week 2 against Stoney Creek, while Northville begins KLAA West play on its own soil versus Plymouth.

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Photo gallery of Clarkston vs. Belleville football in the 20th Amazon Prep Kickoff Classic

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Lake Orion scored a touchdown in the final minute, but came short of tying Northville, who beat the Dragons 14-13 at Wayne State University on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025.

DETROIT – Clarkston’s defense made a Belleville offense that had been a five-star handful in recent seasons look ordinary on Thursday afternoon as the teams ran back last year’s season opener.

The Wolves took down Belleville, sans the nation’s top QB in now-graduated Bryce Underwood, in a 38-7 victory at Wayne State University.

Junior Geonte Morris caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from Kendall Franklin, Underwood’s successor, with 29 seconds left that kept the Tigers from suffering their first shutout since a 15-0 loss to Dearborn on Sept. 1, 2016.

“We had pressure on him all day and our guys just made plays,” Clarkston head coach Justin Pintar said.

The biggest of those plays came with just under five minutes left and the Wolves already up by three scores. Lukas Boman hit Franklin from his blind side and forced a fumble, allowing senior defensive end Gabe Mansour to scoop it and run 56 yards to the house, making it 24-0.

“I was right there in that moment and just picked it up and went to the end zone,” Mansour said. “The Boman boys (Lukas and Griffin), they were trailing, so I definitely knew I was safe with the Bash Brothers behind me.”

Adding to that, Pintar said, “It was a heckuva play, and our defense was flying around and making plays. And offensively, I thought we did a really good job of controlling the game, hitting some passes and some shots when we had the opportunity to. And we got the ground game going, so yeah, I was really proud.”

Lukas and the Wolves weren’t deterred by his fumble in the red zone that derailed the Wolves’ first drive. Junior Alex Waszczenko, whose first start came in last year’s 35-28 loss to the Tigers, connected down the left side with a wide-open Hank Hornung for a 55-yard TD on the first play of Clarkston’s second drive to get on the board with 5:20 left in the opening quarter.

A 27-yard screen pass by Waszczenko to Griffin Boman got Clarkston in the red zone for a third time and Waszczenko finished off the drive with a six-yard keeper that made it 14-0 early in the second quarter.

The Wolves showed their ability in the third phase, too. Senior Aidan O’Neil booted a 49-yard field goal with 5:44 left in the first half that probably could have gone at least another 10 yards prior to Mansour’s scoop and score.

After stopping Belleville on its drive that opened the second half, a 23-yard reverse to junior receiver Wendall Childs set up Griffin Boman’s five-yard rushing TD, extending Clarkston’s lead to 31-0 just 2:12 into the third quarter.

Less than three minutes later, Lukas Boman added to the Wolves’ highlight reel of scores, scampering 58 yards for his team’s fifth and final TD of the afternoon.

Photo gallery of Clarkston vs. Belleville football in the 20th Amazon Prep Kickoff Classic

Voted the game's Most Outstanding Player for Clarkston, Lukas finished with 11 carries for 146 yards.

"The blocking was great," Lukas said. "Our O-line did awesome today. We've been working in practice on our reads, and our scout team does a great job giving us a good look, just making sure we're ready for any game we play."

Belleville's biggest threat, junior receiver Charles Britton, who holds a number of D1 offers, looked to grab a 10-yard TD pass in the left corner of the end zone on the final play of the first half. Rightly or not, it was ruled incomplete by officials, though he still nearly hit the century mark in receiving yards.

Asked whether Clarkston was more motivated by last year's narrow defeat to the Tigers or a 41-0 district loss to Rochester Adams, Lukas Boman, "Obviously, we've still got that taste in our mouth from last year. Those playoff games hit hard because you've got to think about them all year, and I mean, it could have been any team we played (today), we were coming out with the same intensity. We've been working on it all offseason, every single day. We took all that grit and now we're gonna ride with it and take it one game at a time."

The Wolves have one more week after this before getting their OAA Red portion of the schedule underway. Next Friday they'll host White Division favorite Harper Woods. The Pioneers open up at Redford Union.

Belleville didn’t score until the final minute and Clarkston started off the football season with a 38-7 victory over the Tigers on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at Wayne State University.

Leave your GPT nonsense at home, for no AI model can duplicate the pigskin picks of the great Kosmo.

Yes, folks, it’s that time of year again. The wizard of wide receivers, wing-T, Walled Lake and all things Oakland County football is ready to forecast via the crystal ball for another fall. Not that Kosmo could figure out any of this artificial intelligence stuff if he tried, but who needs that fancy pants tech when it’s all up in this ol’ noggin for your consumption.

The 2024 season was another heckuva year for footballing in the OC, and this looks like it’ll be no different. While some will kick it off on Friday, plenty of programs will find out if all the hard work they put in over the dog days of summer paid off on Thursday night.

Here’s a heavenly seven games that will be part of the Week 1 slate.

Thursday, Aug. 28

Clarkston vs. Belleville (at Wayne State), 4 p.m. — Right up there with Rockford and Saline, it may not have Bryce Underwood, but this remains one of the state’s best games of the opening week, and that’s the bottom line, ‘cuz Kosmo says so. Seriously, though, the Tigers remain more than formidable with Tre Britton at receiver and Kendall Franklin stepping up into Underwood’s shoes. Your wise one also hears Belleville’s next batch of beasts are in the oven, but Clarkston QB Alex Waszczenko isn’t so green for this one. If it was later in the year, it might be the Tigers’ game, but Kosmo really believes this one can go the way of the Wolves. Kosmo says: Clarkston

Lake Orion vs. Northville (at Wayne State), 7 p.m. — Two years ago, Northville defeated Clarkston by two scores in the Battle at the Big House to start the year, then Lake Orion exacted some OAA revenge in the season opener in 2024, beating the Mustangs 21-13. After playing in Northville last season, the teams will go toe-to-toe on neutral turf. Veteran coach Chris Bell felt he caught a young Northville at a good time by facing them so early last season. With some talent back along the lines, the Dragons are capable of grinding out another low-scoring victory again. Kosmo says: Lake Orion

South Lyon at Lakeland, 7 p.m. — The Lions are going to be determined to get revenge from last year’s meeting. Lakeland put up four TDs in a row to put a damper on homecoming festivities for South Lyon, with credit to running back Sam Broome for laying it on. Don’t expect a South Lyon team with some key linemen back to lay down, either. It should be a close game, but the Eagles should pull it out if they can avoid early mistakes at home. The way Walled Lake Western is expected to be strong again, it’s hard to afford losing a game like this to open the year in the LVC. Kosmo says: Lakeland

Bloomfield Hills at Troy, 7 p.m. — Scott Merchant looks to begin shaping Bloomfield Hills into a winner beginning Thursday. And there might be some bumps along the way this season. Troy will have a student section loud and ready to greet them, but this is a good draw for the Black Hawks getting a team that’s turning the page at QB and graduated its best WR, too. Kosmo says: Bloomfield Hills

Friday, Aug. 29

Farmington at Oak Park, 7 p.m. — Similar to Bloomfield Hills and Troy, this is one of the few OAA league games to start the season. This one, though, is more likely to involve teams in the hunt for the Blue Division title, with the teams doing battle in Oak Park picked to finish third (Farmington) and fourth. The Knights’ offense sputtered in last year’s 17-6 loss, but yours truly is under the impression there will be more scoring in this one. Kosmo says: Oak Park

Football, Warren Michigan Collegiate at Clarkston Everest, 7 p.m. — Everest might not have gotten deep into the playoffs last season, but it did win a bunch of games handily throughout its 9-0 start to 2024. The exception was its season opener in Warren, a 27-24 victory. Now, the Mountaineers will again face WMC. Kosmo expects Everest to have another winning season, make no mistake, but the Cougars bring back something like 15 starters from a team that, after the loss to the Mountaineers, didn’t taste defeat again until Marine City in the playoffs. Kosmo says: Warren Michigan Collegiate

Football, Chippewa Valley at Detroit Catholic Central, 7 p.m. — OAA vs. MAC games often litter the lineup of Week 1 and 2 games, but here’s a MAC/CHSL crossover for the masses. The Reds have some college-bound talent, like sophomore receivers Jude Tyler and (small but speedy) Joel Williams, as well as some quality players in the front seven of the defense like Dominik Kosznicki. It’ll provide the Shamrocks’ secondary a fun test before getting into the league portion of the schedule the following weekend, but this is likely to be no more than a flex of what other teams are in for from CC. Kosmo says: Detroit Catholic Central

HIGHLAND – The Milford Mavericks and Walled Lake Western Warriors played to a 1-1 draw in an early season Lakes Valley Conference matchup Tuesday night.

The Mavericks started strong, controlling the play early and taking the lead barely five minutes into the match. Jesse Wyskiel popped a ball up into the middle of the box and Lucas Lansberry outjumped the goalie to head the ball into the now empty net.

However, Walled Lake Western would improve as the game went on. By halftime, the Warriors were even on the stat sheet, though they still trailed 1-0 at the break. Western would go on to dominate the second half, outshooting the Mavericks 9-5 after intermission, including a 7-2 edge in shots on frame.

Eventually, and most importantly, the Warriors pulled even on the scoreboard. Logan Maltese uncorked a blast from the left side of the penalty area that Mavericks goalie Mac Parvin made a nice diving save on, but Gavin Roberts was alone on the far side to tap in the rebound and make it an even scoreline with 20:01 to play.

“Milford came out a little differently than we expected, so we had to adjust to that, and once we made the switch it seemed to really open things up for us,” Warriors head coach Alex Wilson said.

Neither team would score again, though both would have good chances down the stretch. That’s due in large part to the fact that both goalies turned in strong performances to turn away everything they saw in the final 20 minutes. Overall, Parvin was the busier of the two goalies, finishing with 10 saves. Warriors goalie Denys Koda only have to make four saves in the game, but two were spectacular leaping efforts to turn shots over the crossbar.

“Tonight with what took place, it was the team aspect and being able to handle a lot of adversity during the game,” Milford head coach Tommy Hipple said. “We struggled in our first game, not being a team. And I think tonight we protected each other very well tonight. So just the team aspect of that part, and then anyone who came on did really tonight.”

With the draw, Milford is 2-0-1 overall and in the LVC. Despite graduating most of their starting lineup, the Mavericks are off to a good start against a schedule that is front loaded with league games and are quickly coming together as a unit.

Photo gallery of Walled Lake Western at Milford in LVC boys soccer action

“We lost nine starters from last year, and to be able to get seven points from your first three games is saying a lot for a brand new team,” Hipple said. “I was pleased with the way that we moved the ball and worked together,” he added. “It’s nice. Some of our seniors have stepped up for that leadership role. But we have tons of sophomores playing a lot of minutes. But I’m pleased with our first three games.”

Next up for Milford is a road trip to Waterford Kettering on Thursday to continue league play.

Walled Lake Western is 1-1-1 overall and 1-0-1 in LVC play. The Warriors host Mott on Thursday in another league contest for them.

“The key for us with this is just to try to build off of it and come through stronger the next few games,” Wilson said. “Taking a point from Milford is always good. We’re going to Mott on Thursday, and we’re looking to pick up three points there and then follow it up with two league games the following week. It’s a fun group, and we’re just looking to continuously get better every day.”

In an early season LVC boys soccer matchup, Walled Lake Western visited Milford, who scored in the first half before the Warriors tied it after intermission, resulting in a 1-1 draw Tuesday, August 26, 2025.

A look at the prospects for Oakland County’s football teams in the Flint Metro, KLAA, MAC, CSC and Independents for the 2025 season:

FLINT METRO

Stripes Division

HOLLY BRONCHOS

Coach: Billy Keenist Jr. (4th year)

Division: 3

Last Year’s Record: 1-8, 0-5

Key Returners on Offense: Hunter Bishop (TE, Sr.), Noah Mathis (RB, Sr.), Macklin O’Neal (OL, Sr.), Colton Swartz (WR, Sr.), Andre Givens (OL, Jr.), Blake Goin (RB, Sr.)

Key Returners on Defense: Hunter Bishop (LB, Sr.), Noah Mathis (LB, Sr.), Macklin O’Neal (DL, Sr.), Colton Swartz (DB, Sr.)

Strengths: Senior leadership, LB core

Areas to Improve: Replacing key players on O-line, offensive production

Outlook: The Bronchos not only failed to make the playoffs for the first time under Keenist, but took a major step back. The defense kept Holly in games last season, but failing to score seven points in a game until Week 6 is all that needs pointing to in regards to why the team fell short on that side of the ball. There’s a belief that mentally the players who are seniors listed above will help right the ship.

Stars Division

ORTONVILLE BRANDON BLACKHAWKS

Coach: Brad Zube (10th year)

Division: 4

Last Year’s Record: 6-4, 2-3

Key Returners on Offense: Albert Rowe (QB, Sr.), Luke Hanson (WR, Sr.), Demetri McNeir (WR, Sr.), Damian Watton (RB, Sr.), Gavin Rochester (OL, Sr.), Evan Smith (OL, Sr.)

Key Returners on Defense: Luke Hanson (DB, Sr.), Albert Rowe (DL, Sr.), Kurt Briolat (LB, Jr.), Demetri McNair (DB, Sr.), Darrin Linenger (DL, Sr.), Jacob Dubiel (LB, Jr.)

Strengths: Starters returning among receiving core, defense

Areas to Improve: Replacing Lance Briolat at QB

Outlook: It was a solid year for Brandon, who continued to be an offensive threat with Briolat under center. HIs graduation leaves a void, but the good news is that Watton returns to tote the rock and players like Hanson and McNeir provide production in the receiving game. There are some key pieces back on defense in Briolat and McNeir. Winning the Stars Division has proved difficult in recent seasons, but if the Blackhawks can even admirably replace Briolat, they should give teams like Corunna and Goodrich a run for their money.

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INDEPENDENTS

DETROIT COUNTRY DAY YELLOWJACKETS

Coach: Dan MacLean (28th year)

Division: 5

Last Year’s Record: 3-5

Key Returners on Offense: Anthony Cartwright (TE, Jr.), Jre Jackson (OL, Sr.), Derrick Williams (RB, Sr.), Jaidyn Martin (WR, Jr.), Connor Dienes (OL, Jr.)

Key Returners on Defense: Jre Jackson (DL, Sr.), Derrick Williams (DB, Sr.), Jaidyn Martin (CB, Jr.), Connor Dienes (DL, Jr.)

Strengths: Big senior class, star talent

Areas to Improve: Staying in games

Outlook: The Yellowjackets had the misfortunate of making it back-to-back seasons that they missed the playoffs and only scored a combined 35 points in their last six games, which never equates to much success. Looking back, though, that stretch in which they went 1-5 saw Country Day lose to a pair of eventual state champs (Notre Dame Prep, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s) and another team (Monroe St. Mary CC) that reached a final. DCD has had some good players the past few years like Gabe Winowich and Cade Wilhelmi, but the skill/speed spots seem to be the strength of these upperclassmen, led by Cartwright and Williams (Princeton). The schedule is almost identical to last fall, but a deeper crop of talent should offer a better chance at returning to the postseason.

PONTIAC NOTRE DAME PREP FIGHTING IRISH

Coach: Pat Fox (12th year)

Division: 5

Last Year’s Record: 12-1 (D5 state champs)

Key Returners on Offense: Brody Sink (WR, Sr.), Sam Stowe (QB, Sr.), Jack Williams (OL, Sr.), Logan Tuttle (OL, Sr.), Henry Ewels (OL, Sr.)

Key Returners on Defense: Brody Sink (LB, Sr.), Lucas Kattula (DE, Sr.), Drake Roa (DB, Sr.), Henry Ewles (DL, Sr.), Jack Williams (DL, Sr.)

Strengths: Returning QB and linemen

Areas to Improve: Replacing the rushing and receiving production

Outlook: Notre Dame Prep had it going on for a second consecutive season, but this time kept it going in the postseason all the way to glory at Ford Field. Fox’s team returns half of its starters from last year’s championship side, including All-Staters in QB Stowe (2,751 yards, 37 TDs) and ILB Brody Sink (133 tackles, eight sacks). Kattula is an impact player on the defensive line, and the offensive line returns all but one that started double-digit games in ’24. The toughest parts of the schedule include back-to-back games in Weeks 2 and 3 (Jackson Lumen Christi, Gibraltar Carlton) and Weeks 8 and 9 (Marine City, Unity Christian).

Football 2025: Schedules for Oakland County’s teams in the CSC, FML, KLAA, MAC and MIAC

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KENSINGTON LAKES ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION

West Division

NOVI WILDCATS

Coach: Jim Sparks (5th year)

Division: 1

Last Year’s Record: 5-5, 5-2

Key Returners on Offense: Anthony Madafferi (RB, Sr.), Cooper Koceski (WR, Sr.), Reece Pippin (TE, Sr.),

Key Returners on Defense: Anthony Madafferi (RB, Sr.), Reece Pippin (LB, Sr.), Colin Edwards (LB, Sr.), Ty Anderson (DB, Sr.), Emilio Acosta (DB, Sr.)

Strengths: Majority of defense returns

Area to Improve: Replacing starting QB, featured receivers

Outlook: Following another solid showing in the KLAA West, the Wildcats have to replace a majority of production on the offense, including QB Johnny Aurilia and his top trio of favored targets. Sparks believes that the sophomore class is going to produce and that there's depth to be had. Couple that with some healthy returners on defense, where the Wildcats have six starters back (including key guys in the secondary), and Novi should compete for a playoff spot once again.

Novi counting on depth, youth to replace playmakers this season

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MACOMB AREA CONFERENCE

Bronze Division

CLAWSON TROJANS

Coach: Steve Haney (5th year)

Division: 6

Last Year’s Record: 6-3, 4-1 (MAC Bronze co-champs)

Key Returners on Offense: Jordan Davenport (WR, Sr.), Hunter Garrison (RB, Jr.), Graysen Carroll (TE, Jr.), Da'Shawn Williams (OL, Sr.)

Key Returners on Defense: Graysen Carroll (LB, Jr.), Hunter Garrison (LB, Jr.), Shane Dunlap (LB, Sr.), Da'Shawn Williams (DL, Sr.), Wyatt Roth (DL, Sr.), Davion Hall (DB, Soph.)

Strengths: Number of returning starters, depth

Areas to Improve: Special teams

Outlook: The Trojans were just one of two 6-3 teams in D6 to not make the playoffs, thwarted by rival Royal Oak in a road loss that turned up ending their season. It was a disappointing end after a four-game winning streak helped clinch a share of the Bronze league title. Participation continues to be good, which matters for a school of Clawson's size, and the depth that includes a number of returning starters bodes well for the usual goal of winning the division and pairing it with a playoff run.

HAZEL PARK

Coach: John Callahan (4th year)

Division: 5

Last Year’s Record: 7-4, 4-1 (MAC Bronze co-champs)

Key Returners on Offense: Eli Cobb (QB, Jr.), Lathan Chambers (WR, Sr.), Will Eddy (WR, Sr.), Montrell Parker (RB, Sr.)

Key Returners on Defense: Will Eddy (DB, Sr.), Montrell Parker (DB, Sr.)

Strengths: Skill position returners

Areas to Improve: Replacing key players in the trenches

Outlook: Hazel Park stepped up and took care of business in the league. It beat Clawson but lost to Clintondale, leading the Vikings to split the Bronze with those teams. They also beat South Lake in their playoff opener. Cobb threw for 13 touchdowns and also ran for 550 yards with seven rushing scores and is back with Parker (1,664 rushing yards, 18 TDs), forming a powerful tandem that should continue to produce offense. Especially when coupled with every single one of Cobb's receivers returning. It should mean that Hazel Park holds up its end of making the division competitive once again.

MADISON HEIGHTS MADISON

Coach: Kyle Gary (2nd year)

Division: 8

Last Year’s Record: 3-6, 2-3

Key Returners on Offense: Nehemiah Patman (QB, Soph.), Arsenio Washington (RB/WR, Soph.), Lawrence Coleman (OL/K, Soph.), Antionio Lewis (OL, Soph.), Raymond Williams (WR, Soph.)

Key Returners on Defense: Gavyn Neal (DL, Soph.), Demarkus Parker (DL, Soph.), Zachary Marshall (DL, Soph.), Terrell Heard (LB, Sr.), Tristin Wallace (DB, Jr.), Raymond Williams (DB, Soph.)

Strengths: Young, talented core returns

Areas to Improve: Closing out games defensively

Outlook: A young Eagles team was better than its record appeared as they forfeited their first two games and still improved after being previously winless in 2023. The sophomore class was expected to make an instant impact and delivered, and now returns to set the standard under Gary, who won MAC Bronze Coach of the Year in his first season. After losing three of five games by single digits, new defensive coordinator Dayvon Anderson is seeking to implement a faster, more physical defense to create more turnovers as the Eagles hope to continue the upward trend and return the program to its glory days.

Gold Division

MADISON HEIGHTS LAMPHERE RAMS

Coach: Ray Ostrowski (5th year)

Division: 4

Last Year’s Record: 8-2, 4-1 (MAC Gold co-champs)

Key Returners on Offense: Mason Maczuga (WR, Sr.), Peyton Archer (RB, Jr.), Austin Maczuga (WR, Sr.), Landyn Sanborn (OL, Sr.), Logan Henkel (OL, Sr)

Key Returners on Defense: Mason Maczuga (LB, Sr.), Austin Dort (LB, Jr.), Jerry Taylor (LB, Sr.), Austin Maczuga (DB, Sr.), Logan Henkel (DL, Sr.), Devin Gardner, Jr. (DB, Jr.),Braylon Cox (DB, Jr.)

Strengths: Hard working, well-rounded with solid experience

Areas to Improve: Consistency, avoiding self-inflicted errors

Outlook: Only an 18-7 loss at Warren Fitzgerald denied the Rams an outright division title last fall. The only other team to give them a run for their money was Grosse Pointe North, who Lamphere beat 27-24 in the league opener. Ostrowski's expectation is to compete for a title in what he feels is one of the most difficult districts in the state. They've made the playoffs every year under his leadership.

———————————

CHARTER SCHOOL CONFERENCE

Silver Division

ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY ACADEMY OF PONTIAC

Coach: N/A

Division: 8

Last Year’s Record: 3-6, 3-4

Key Returners: Charlie Newman (TE/DE, Sr.), Kabari Fair (LT/DT, Sr.)

Strengths: Defensive line

Areas to Improve: Closing the season strong

Outlook: ATAP took a step back in 2024 after making waves by qualifying for the playoffs the previous season, an impressive feat considering the program's infancy. Newman and Fair are back as multi-year starters, but the Lions, who forfeited several games last season, will hope to get back on the right side of .500 yet again. It'll begin with a battle for Pontiac bragging rights against the Phoenix.

SOUTHFIELD BRADFORD ACADEMY

Coach: Terrance Sims (1st year)

Division: 8

Last Year’s Record: 0-9, 0-7

Key Returners on Offense: Carri Galloway (WR, Sr.), Keishaun Chambers (WR, Sr.), Frank Williams (OL, Jr.), Elijohn Bass (OL, Jr.)

Key Returners on Defense: Carri Galloway (DB, Sr.), Keishaun Chambers (DB, Sr.), Frank Williams (LB, Sr.)

Strengths: Line play, skill position talent

Areas to Improve: Offensive production

Outlook: Sims arrives from Detroit Loyola and is carrying over the showing from there he put together, aiming to get a little bit better every day. He has some good two-way players in the secondary and along the line, but now needs to pair that and good team camradarie into a couple victories to build momentum.

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Despite graduating a majority of its skill position talent from last season, Novi head coach Jim Sparks spoke at KLAA football media day on Thursday afternoon in Northville about his enthusiasm for depth at those positions and others.

That ties into his anticipation that the Wildcats could get more out of their underclassmen than before, also.

“In my four previous years at Novi, we haven’t had any sophomores really play on the varsity level, but this year we’ve got some talented guys down there, and I think we’re gonna see some of those guys on the field,” Sparks told those in attendance.

“We’re going to have a lot of competition at some key positions. I think there’s a lot of talent there, so it’s nice to not have anything slotted, have the guys have to compete.”

That’s important for the Wildcats going into Sparks’ fifth year with the program. The team’s top receiver, Jaden Vondrasek (874 yards, nine touchdowns), graduated, as did Sele Cox and Logan Ellison, who combined for 364 yards and three scores through the air. Add in the transfer of Christian Gillings (512 yards, four TDs), who was to be a junior, and that could be a real cause for concern for some staffs.

Instead, Sparks is nothing but positive about the depth chart at the position. “The past four years at this point, we already kind of knew the depth chart,” he said. “Those kids (previous years) worked hard, but human nature, if you’re being chased, you run a little faster. This is the first time we’ve had six guys competing for four spots. That’s gonna raise the level of everybody, which I’m very excited about. If we didn’t have those young guys that devoted time in the offseason, we’d be relying on four guys to govern themselves to work hard. I think those six guys pushing each other can only be good for us.”

Cooper Koceski, who had three receptions for 44 yards as a junior in 2024, is one of those guys who will move from the slot and compete for a lead role. As for who they’ll be getting the ball from, the Wildcats have a role to fill there, too. Johnny Aurilia threw for 1,372 yards and a dozen TDs as a senior, and also added 496 yards rushing while finding the end zone three times with his legs. Sparks said to expect a pair of guys getting equal reps in camp, but although he won’t appoint the starting role to senior Christian Vitale, “it’s his job to lose.”

Anthony Madafferi, who saw a split of carries with (now graduated) Logan Ellison last year, is a leader in the weight room and should assume the featured role carrying the rock in his senior season.

The last couple years, the Wildcats have had to replace a majority of their defense every fall. Six starters back on that side of the ball makes it a strength of this year’s team.

Along with the team’s two leading tacklers returning in Reece Pippin and Colin Edwards, look out for the secondary tandem of Ty Anderson and Emilio Acosta (55 tackles, two interceptions in ’24).

“I think those guys are gonna have tremendous seasons,” Sparks said. “Emilio and Anthony (Madafferi) didn’t play the last couple weeks (of last season). It’ll be good to have those guys back out there.”

‘Words can’t describe what it meant’: Novi coach Jim Sparks honored with MHSFCA Hall of Fame induction

The aim is to replicate last year's strong start that saw the Wildcats win five of their first six contests. They'll open at home against Traverse City Central – Sparks is already looking forward to the away trip to TC next season, saying when he took Clawson to play Kingsley in 2004 it was "one of the greatest experiences we'd ever had."

The Wildcats, who finished on a four-game slide to end last season, were picked to finish fourth in the KLAA West (behind Howell, Brighton and Northville), but Sparks says it's better to be the hunter than the hunted. He's not worried about the end to last year, either, rather focused on what's ahead.

"We just set our goals every year, kind of flush last year realizing that we get an opportunity to create our own identity, our own path. We aspire to win Week 1, that's our first goal. Then we went to compete for the KLAA West and go to the playoffs. That's our focus. Obviously, (last year) didn't end the way anyone of us wanted to with as well as we started. Hopefully the kids on this team learned it's a long season and you can't take anything for granted."

Following the start of practice, Novi will host a scrimmage with Birmingham Groves, Grosse Pointe South, Westland John Glenn and Brighton on Aug. 21 to gear up for the regular season opener.

As the Royal Oak Leprechauns fight for a playoff spot, a collective of former Catholic League stars have played integral roles in the team’s success this summer.

Some, like Aidan Schuck, a Detroit Catholic Central grad who just finished his freshman year at Oakland University, are done for the summer — in his case, his last game with the Leprechauns came last weekend — but have left their mark.

Schuck batted .337 this summer for the team, with 23 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. But he hit his stride as his time with the team wore on, and began to put together a hitting streak that eventually reached double-digits.

“I didn’t even have an idea the streak was going on until I think it was the 15th game,” Schuck said. “I was told by one of our interns who does the stats and he said you’re two away from the franchise record.”

It ended up as a 19-game hitting streak before it was snapped, and at one point included a span of five games where he had 13 base knocks. “You can tell when you’re doing well, seeing it well, but yeah, I had no idea there was a streak going on. It’s kinda harder once you know about it, because then self-consciously you’re trying to continue it.”

In his first year as a Golden Grizzly, Shamrock batted .279 with 10 RBIs in 18 games, but he believes he’ll be returning to OU as a better player after this summer. “I’d say I had a good year, but there were times where I struggled seeing spin,” he said. “I feel like this summer, I made a big jump and I was able to hit off-speed pitches and drive them the other way. Obviously, this was my freshman season of college and I saw new to seeing a lot of the pitching, but playing (as many games as I did this summer) against college pitching, , that’s the best way to get better, seeing arms like that every day. Overall, I developed as a hitter.”

From Brother Rice, Tristan Crane (Eastern Michigan) played 39 games for the team, batting .305 with a .378 on-base percentage and drove in 29 runs. Fellow Warrior Owen Turner (Yale) drove in 21 runs while stealing eight bags in 40 appearances.

The Leprechauns’ all-star representative this season, infielder Ryan Tyranski (Cincinnati), another one-time staple in the Brother Rice lineup, has been a fine example of the difference a year makes. He played 31 games in Royal Oak in 2024 and batted .262 with 12 RBIs and six stolen bases in 31 games. This summer, he’s hitting at a .296 clip in 54 games, has hit a pair of home runs (along with four triples), driven in 33 runs and swiped 19 bags.

On the mound, another Warriors’ alum, Wyatt Ruppenthal (Kalamazoo College), has been one of the Leprechauns’ best arms. In 14 appearances, the 6-foot-2 righty has sported a 3.58 ERA over 27 2/3 innings, striking out 29 with a solid 1.30 WHIP.

For some, it’s a chance to thrive while getting to know ex-rivals even better, and also forge new bonds.

“It’s awesome playing with all the Catholic League guys the whole summer,” Schuck said. “There’s time we’ve had debates in the dugout about who was better in high school. It’s fun getting to know those guys you somewhat knew (when) playing against them, but were never on the same team. Then they’ve got new guys who’ve come in towards the second half of the season, guys like Danny Cook from Pepperdine, a couple guys from Colorado, and it’s good getting to know those guys from all across the country as well as ones we already know.”

With just single-digit games remaining, the Leprechauns have a string of games at home coming up that includes Military Appreciation Night Sunday afternoon against the Kenosha Kingfish and Fan Appreciation Night on Tuesday evening against the Kalamazoo Growlers.

Skating Club of Novi coach Julie Mitts saw opportunity for her students when U.S. Figure Skating launched its Excel Series to pair with its longstanding Championship tier.

“Prior to (the Excel Series), we just entered competitions, went, competed, won or cried and went home,” said Mitts, a Crestwood High School grad who competed herself for over 15 years and has been coaching in Novi for at least that long. “At that point, the Excel Series was only two or three years old, and not many people understood what it was or how it gave purpose. Once I learned (about it), I started talking to skaters more, convincing them to enter the series. It gives you something to fight for.”

Last year, several of her skaters entered, and one, Tessa Meadows of Northville, qualified for nationals in the Novice Division.

Efforts to push more skaters toward the series again paid dividends when Mitts went with a trio to the Excel National Festival held several weeks ago in Colorado Springs.

Abby Yin, who will enter her sophomore year this fall at Novi High School, was the standout, capturing first place in the Intermediate Division.

Competition for each year in that division begins in January and runs through early June as skaters at their respective levels can enter up to four different competitions that are Excel certified anywhere in the country, which is split into three regions that send six qualifiers each to the nationwide festival. There, skaters have a camp where they partake in the ranked competition, and also perform in an exhibition to add some enjoyment to the experience.

Mitts complimented Yin’s mindset over the course of the year, saying, “Abby was very driven. She held the No. 1 spot at the Intermediate Level, but she wanted to skip one competition the other girls were going to because she wanted time to improve on things she didn’t like. I asked her and said that’s kind of strange, because the judges were applauding (her). But she wanted to work on her speed, polishes, finishes. She did that, and I think it paid off (even though) I don’t think she had or needed to. That’s just the kind of kid she is.”

Also competing from the club were Aubrey Tieu of Northville and Naomi Jude of Northville, who will each be freshmen this year at their respective high schools. Tieu placed 11th in her Division, while Jude took 16th.

“All three had almost flawless practices, and all three it was their first time skating at nationals,” Mitts said. “They were a little intimidated I think at first when they saw the stadium and started to ease into it. They did altitude training at home and wore masks as they did their programs trying to prepare, so they definitely worked their tails off leading into leaving for Colorado.”

For anyone who might consider Skating Club of Novi on just a “recreational” level, the organization is proving it is a step or two higher on the ladder with multiple competitors in the past several years earning national plaudits.

As Mitts put it, “We’re starting to get girls who are doing big things.”

The club is based out of Novi Ice Arena, which just underwent significant renovations over the summer that lasted nearly a month. Those upgrades included a new dehumidifier to improve ice quality, sand floor replacement on both ice sheets, and upgraded heaters that make for a more comfortable experience.

Adding to the atmosphere, banners recognizing the accomplishments by those from Skating Club of Novi are planned to be raised this week. That includes several banners with Yin’s name on it for her achievements in ice dancing. Yin is looking to add another as she and several others from the club are competing at the end of this month in the Lake Placid Ice Dance Championships, part of part of US Figure Skating’s National Qualifying Series and Solo Dance Series.

Like other sports dominated by the travel scene, there’s no true offseason in figure skating. That means Yin and others will hit the reset button and soon begin preparation for next year’s competitions.

“We’re in the process of looking for new music and gonna start a new program,” Mitts said. “Abby’s taking the next step and moving up to the Novice Division. We’re probably tracking to where she’ll go Senior (Division) her senior year depending on the elements and what she’s able to do, but I think this year she’ll go Novice, and I think she has a chance to do pretty well.”

PONTIAC – Following repeated chants of “We want JaMo,” the boys and girls planted near the 50-yard line at Notre Dame Prep High School were greeted by not one, but two Detroit Lions players.

Somewhere around 300 participants from ages 6 to 16 showed up for the youth football camp Sunday afternoon featuring Lions receiver Jameson Williams, who was joined by teammate Kerby Joseph.

All campers got a photo with Williams — and a few did as well with Joseph, who even signed one participants’ shoes — and a couple of lucky ones were able to haul in a deep pass from the four-year pro.

“I do it just to see the smiles on the kids’ faces, you know, bring joy to them,” Williams said. “They might not ever get to see a person in my position because (some of them), they stay to themselves, don’t get out in the community. I want to be a face in the community, help the kids, give some motivation.”

Kids were split into age groups and rotated through a number of stations at the camp, presented by, FlexWork Sports Management, a company that teams up with college and pro athletes throughout the US and Canada. Stations included a variety of exercises, including back pedal and ladder drills.

When asked if any campers have tried to race him, Williams laughed. “Nobody, but they always ask me about whether I’m faster than another player, and I always yes,” he said.

Due to injury, Williams never ran the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, leading to questions over what his time would be, only amplified by his claims he could run a 4.1 in the dash. Williams said on Sunday that he may not do a 40, but that he would probably run a 100-meter dash at some point in the future for fun.

When asked about the first player he was wowed by at a camp when he was younger, Williams named fellow St. Louis native and former New England Patriots running back Laurence Maroney.

Campers weren’t the only ones getting face time with the Lions’ speedy target. Irish football players who were scattered throughout the stations as volunteers also got to meet and greet with Williams before things got underway.

“This is awesome,” said Josh Laura, a defensive back who will be a senior this fall for the defending D5 state champs. “Just being out here with the guys, showing the little kids what football’s like, it’s just a great experience for everyone and great for all us to be out here.”

ND Prep head coach Pat Fox was present, too, and talked about the benefit of opportunities like Sunday to expose so many kids to the campus.

“It’s a fantastic thing,” Fox said. “We’ve got beautiful facilities, and I think that’s tremendous. But more importantly, I think it perpetuates the game of football. It gives young kids a chance to enjoy playing this great game with some new kids, gives our kids a chance to work with them, show a little patience, giggle and laugh. And we got a chance to meet Mr. Williams and meet Kerby Joseph, and what a nice couple of young men they are. So yeah, we’re really excited, and we’re happy to have kids on our campus whenever we can.”

For the Irish players, getting out on the field on a hot, sunny afternoon was a reminder that practices are just on the horizon.

“Oh, absolutely,” Laura responded when asked if it gets the juices flowing. “We’ve got a strong squad coming back on offense and defense, bringing back our quarterback, linebackers on the squad. I’m so excited for this year and the team.”

Hundreds of kids showed up at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep High School for a youth football camp featuring Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams on Sunday, July 13, 2025.

Utica Ford head coach Matt Joseph will have a trio of his own players under his wing on the Red Team for Tuesday’s Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association Division 1 all-star game at Davenport University Softball Stadium.

The Falcons, who won 32 games this season, including a regional championship, have the most players from any program for the D1 game. They’ll be represented by catcher Sam Norrito, outfielder Brooke Williams and pitcher Jenna Walters.

“It is special to be able to coach these three players in their last official high school softball game,” Joseph said. “I was probably more excited than the kids when I got the text asking me to coach. “They have all given so much to our program. They all compete as hard as any I have coached and more importantly they are great people. I am very blessed and lucky to have been able to coach them these last four years.”

Dakota outfielder Jenna Higgins joins those three as the other Macomb County rep on the Red team.

From Oakland County, Stoney Creek third baseman Danielle Bryant and Walled Lake Northern first baseman Katelyn Stallings will also team up with the Macomb quartet for Joseph and Saline coach Rebecca Suiter.

Stallings’ inclusion comes after the Knights had a trio of their own (Lauren Fox, Patelyn Gribben, Kayle Turmell) picked to play in last year’s D1 game.

South Lyon head coach Jerry Shippe will be one of the skippers in the opposite dugout for the White Team. It features Lake Orion second baseman Addy Dukus and Lakeland’s Brynn Taliercio, selected as a utility player. Like Stallings, Dukus reps a Dragons’ program that had a trio (Grace Luby, Sydney Bell, Anna Gardner) selected to last year’s festivities.

State champion Richmond will be represented by a pair of players in the D2 game. Catcher Ashley Stafford and pitcher Katie Shuboy will lace up for the Red Team.

In the Division 3 game, Clawson pitcher Sarah McLeod was selected from a Trojans team that won 23 games and reached a regional final.

Games begin at the Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex on Tuesday with the D1 matchup, set for 10 a.m. The D2 game is scheduled for noon, followed by the Division 3 contest at 2:30 p.m. and the D4 game at 4:30 p.m.

The backstop of the Orchard Lake St. Mary’s back-to-back-to-back state championship teams, Ike Irish, was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles with the 19th overall pick in the first round of the 2025 MLB Draft on Sunday, the third primary member of those title squads to be drafted.

Several hours later, another of the OLSM champs, Nolan Schubart, went to the Cleveland Indians in the third round (Pick 101).

The first athlete in school history to be drafted in the first round of any sport’s draft, Irish joins former Eaglet teammates Brock Porter (Round 4, Pick 109 in the 2022 Draft by Rangers) and Alex Mooney (Round 7, Pick 218 in 2023 Draft) to be drafted, giving the OLSM program 11 overall picks.

While Mooney was drafted right on the heels of the Eaglets securing their third straight title — 2019, 2021 and 2022 — with a perfect 44-0 season, Irish spent three seasons at Auburn. He earned Freshman All-America honors by four different organizations in 2023, and was first-team All-SEC and a Buster Posey Award semifinalist in 2024, then became Auburn’s seventh consensus All-America as a junior.

Irish hit .364, slugged .710 with 13 doubles, two triples and 19 home runs for the Tigers in 2025, driving in 58 runs, with an OPS of 1.179, but spent much of the season playing right field after a shoulder injury — a broken scapula on a hit by pitch in March.

A 6-foot-5, 223-pound left-handed-hitting corner outfielder for Oaklahoma State, Schubart has 60-grade power, according to MLB.com, hitting 23 home runs (and falling two hits short of winning the Big 12 Conference triple crown), earning All-America honors from several publications for the second straight year, and Acacemic All-American honors the last two, just the second player in OSU program history to do it twice.

He finishes his Cowboys career with 59 home runs — one every 10 at-bats — ranking fourth in program history in round-trippers, ninth in slugging percentage (.705), 10th with 199 RBI.

Prep roundup: OLSM baseball sets new state record for consecutive wins

The best of the Macomb Area Conference came out on top, 9-4, in the second edition of the MAC vs. OAA All-Star softball game held Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at Oakland University.

WATERFORD TOWNSHIP – Several years ago, there was uncertainty within the Syron family as to who might be around for another year of the golf tournament that its name sports.

Fast forward to this year’s Syron Memorial Tournament, the 57th edition, and everyone is celebrating good health that was far from a given not long ago.

“It’s been fantastic,” Shawn Syron said following the conclusion of Friday’s opening round. “The family’s really come together. It’s been so fun to just celebrating positive things. This tournament is always a celebration of the past, but for us, of going forward to. The next generation, having Kyle out there, it’s so much fun.”

Two years ago, the feel-good story was that Kyle became the fourth generation in the family to take part in the tournament at Pontiac Country Club.

On Friday, Mike drove the cart as Kyle got his first 18 holes in of the three-day tournament, a reality that couldn’t be taken for granted after a life-threatening health scare for Mike within the past several years put everything in doubt.

“A year-and-a-half ago, they gave me less than a month to live,” Mike said. “Luckily, I got a transplant. Now, I get to watch my son golf. It’s very heartwarming.”

Speaking beyond the green of the 18th hole as the group that included the family and members of the Country Club’s staff wrapped up, Mike talked about what it meant to be present and watch his son carry on the legacy. “It’s one of the best feelings I’ve had,” he said. “Watching Kyle, he’s really progressed the last three years, and it warms my heart, and our family’s. With all the tragedy we’ve had the last few years and what I went through the past two.

“It’s really nice, especially in this tournament, where, it’s named after my grandpa, then my dad and uncle ran it, and now, my brother and I, my cousin, basically took it over, so it’s a very special tournament for us, and something special for Oakland County and the state of Michigan to have this tradition keep going.”

Photos from Round 1 of the 57th Annual Syron Memorial Tournament

After scores that he only defined as "a lot worse" -- Kyle only began golfing a few years ago -- his first several years participating, Kyle carded an 84 on the first round. "I play probably four times a week here, play with my friends, just trying to practice."

In regards to his aim of continuing to improve his showing, he added, "Hopefully, I get a tee time assigned (at the tournament) one day."

Speaking about what it means to have his dad healthy and watching on, Kyle added, "It's a lot of fun. I didn't know if I'd have him out here again, so it means everything to be able to play with him."

Golden Tee

The shot of the opening day came from Josh Bauer of West Bloomfield, who grew up just a hop and a step away from Pontiac Country Club. He had a hole-in-one on the 16th hole during Friday's opening round.

Mike noted that Mark, the son of Lloyd Syron and the Country Club's longtime manager who won the tourney back in 1990, had achieved the feat on several occasions.

Return of the Kings

According to the clubhouse scorecards, four previous winners returned to take part in this year's Syron Memorial.

That includes last year's victor, Sean Friel, along with John Quigley (2023), AJ Johnson (2010), and three-time champion Anthony Sorentino (2012, 2020, 2022)

Chad Gehres was leading after Friday's first round with a 65, but Quigley was tied with Jerred Barley just a stroke behind him, while Sorentino and Friel (67) are also both in the mix.