It’s not parade time yet, but it’s looking a lot like another good year of football in Oakland County.
A week early perhaps, but Kosmo always thanks that the cave is within the boundaries of one of the largest areas of the mitten.
Yes, the bar is high. You won’t find astrophysics here – the kids would say to keep it ‘basic’ – but let’s not take for granted the possibility of three teams representing our stage at the finals.
Here’s how many Oakland County teams have played for an 11-man final recently per year:
2023: 1
2022: 0
2021: 1
2020: 2
2019: 1
And since anything beyond that is probably considered ‘back in the day’ (don’t get Kosmo started on that), there were twelve performances in the previous five years between 2014 and 2018.
Cosmo
Your sage isn’t much of a surfer, but ride the wave, honey.
The Catholic League has been like a tsunami to everyone’s playoff hopes, but looking ahead, Kosmo has a feeling that many of the OAA big hitters will be even harder to stop in 2025. Write that down.
For many teams it started on Thursday, and now four semi-finals on Saturday will decide who plays indoors the following weekend. And in case you’re wondering, Kosmo went 4-2 on his quarterfinal picks (goodbye, Walled Lake Western and kudos for a great season).
Rochester Adams vs. Hudsonville, at Okemos HS — It feels a little hypocritical to make comments about someone living under a rock, but how can Kosmo put this into words… unless you just tuned in, you probably know that these Highlanders weren’t expected here. Clarkston? West Bloomfield? No, Adams was a wicked dark horse. You could probably say the same about this Hudsonville team. After winning tough games against Grandville (twice) and East Lansing, if the Eagles were going to lose to anyone, it was the Howell team that defeated them on opening weekend and entered the playoffs at No. 1 in the coaches poll in D1. Instead, they absolutely outscored Howell 35-6. Both teams can run the ball, but why not the underdogs again? Kosmo says: Adams
Detroit Catholic Central vs. Detroit Cass Tech, at Troy Athens HS – The winner of Adams/Hudsonville gets the one here at Ford Field. All credit to Cass Tech for living up to the hype this year. The Technicians’ big men on campus showed up at the end of last Friday’s regional final against Dakota. However, the Shamrocks just saw the state’s best quarterback and did enough to slow down Belleville’s offense. Donald Tabron II already looks special, but if a senior who is one of the best in the country can’t beat the Shamrocks, can a freshman? Kosmo says: Catholic Central
Birmingham Groves vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, at West Bloomfield HS – This isn’t a shot at either team’s defense, but if you’re a fan of attacking threats, Kosmo would like to point you in the direction of this Division 2 semifinal . There are several college D1 players here for both teams. With big bodies on the line, quarterbacks who can shoot out of the pocket and skill difference makers, this has a score of 30 to 20 written all over it. The Falcons will receive senior Darrin Jones Jr. have to slow down, who averages about 100 yards rushing in the playoffs. Kosmo says: Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs. Flat Rock, at Westland John Glenn HS — Senior Graham Junge leads an explosive offense for Flat Rock and has put up some crazy numbers to the tune of nearly 2,500 yards and 36 touchdowns through the air, along with nearly 300 yards and six scores rushing. He has thrown nine wins to nine different players this season, including 26 combined with Adam and Evan Szalay. Kosmo thought they should get something, because their names might not be called as often on Saturday. Armada had some success on third downs, stopping the Fighting Irish along the way, but ND Prep remained a threat in all three phases with a 100-yard kickoff return from Joey DeCasas, part of a big first half. If you call the Irish the favorites to win it all in D5, you’re probably right. Kosmo says: ND Prep
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