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Dakota regains top spot in latest regular-season Macomb County football rankings – Macomb Daily

Sakege October 30, 2024

The regular season is over. It’s time for the part that matters most.

Only 16 Macomb County football teams will lace up their cleats this weekend, and while they all approach this week with a “new season, 0-0 record” mentality, that doesn’t mean we have to. Before the balls hit the playoffs, it’s worth taking another look at the final regular season records of area teams and who is best equipped for the postseason.

1. Dakota Cougars (8-1, defeated Oxford 28-0)

Dakota didn’t just beat OAA Red power Oxford: they crossed the county line, locked the cage and threw away the key en route to the Wildcats’ first shutout loss since 2020.

The Cougars have not allowed a point in their last two games, beating Utica and Oxford (both playoff teams) by a combined 63 points. Maybe that loss to Eisenhower (which is the last team to reach the end zone against Dakota) was exactly what they needed.

Next: vs. Utica (4-5)

2. La Salle Pilots (6-2, defeated Chippewa Valley 31-21)

While Chippewa Valley obviously made things difficult for the Pilots, De La Salle still pulled out a gritty victory over a good MAC Red team. They, like Dakota, have been on fire since suffering tough losses, and have now won three in a row and two of them against CHSL teams.

His score has been especially good. Thanks in part to a pick six on Friday, they’ve scored at least 30 points in five of their eight games and in each of their last three. And despite missing some of their running backs in Clinton Township last week, they still got significant production from rising star Anthony Bitonti.

Next: at Port Huron Northern (7-2)

3. Eisenhower Eagles (7-2, lost to Clarkston 32-3)

The most surprising result of the week, without a doubt, was the Eagles’ complete faceplant against the Wolves. A loss would have been one thing, but a 29-point loss is another entirely.

They didn’t have Mr. Football candidate Bryce Hurley, and it shows. He’s the one who opens up Ike’s offense with his incredible speed and versatility, so if he stays out any longer, then the Eagles could officially be in trouble.

Next: vs. Romeo (4-5)

4. Roseville Panthers (7-2, defeated West Bloomfield 49-48)

There may not be a more impressive result this week than the Panthers’ victory over a historically excellent West Bloomfield program. It’s one of those games that feels like an advertisement that Roseville is one of those programs, too.

The Panthers have come a long way since Vernard Snowden took over the program, and their last two wins (WB and Romeo) are proof of that. They can continue riding the red wave into the postseason, but starting the race with a rematch against Grosse Pointe South, who has become a big rival for the Panthers, will be another ultimate test.

Next: at Grosse Pointe South (9-0)

Romeo quarterback Sammy Nepa makes a pass against Roseville on Oct. 18, 2024. (GEORGE SPITERI – For MediaNews Group, file)

5. Romeo Bulldogs (4-5, defeated Grand Blanc 14-13)

Okay Romeo, see you.

The Bulldogs traveled to face a Grand Blanc team that had just won 55 points over Davison, considered by many to be one of the best teams in Division 1. All the Bulldogs did was limit the Bobcats to 13 points, by far its the fewest of the season and breaking a streak of seven consecutive victories.

But Romeo’s defense is not the problem. They have had games that have held Rochester Adams, Roseville and now Grand Blanc to low scores, but the key will be outscoring them. Fourteen points were enough to beat the Bobcats, but 21 were not enough against Adams and 19 were too few against Roseville.

There is enough to run. They’ll just need to score enough.

Next: on Eisenhower (7-2)

6. Michigan Collegiate Cougars (8-1, defeated South Lake 50-24)

The Cougars dropping one spot isn’t a punishment, it’s more of a challenge.

Michigan Collegiate is underway. They’ve won each of their last eight games and it’s not hard to imagine them sweeping their division and region to get back to the state finals. They have scored at least 50 points in each of the last three games, but they have also played only three “close” games. Will that relative lack of experience in close games this year hurt them again?

Or are they that good?

Next: vs. Royal Oak Shrine (7-2, Saturday at 2 p.m.)

7. Stevenson Titans (5-4, defeated Brother Rice 30-6)

While Stevenson’s recent winning streak hasn’t exactly been against the toughest competition, they’ve still taken care of business with relative ease twice in a row with wins over L’Anse Creuse North and Brother Rice.

However, they tied a brutal first-round game with a trip to Detroit Cass Tech on the agenda. This is exactly what they’ve been preparing all season long and they know they can head to Wayne County and take care of business.

Next: at Cass Tech (7-2)

8. Lutheran North Mustangs (8-1, defeated Clarkston Everest Collegiate 17-14, OT)

The Mustangs are Prep Bowl champions and still have a lot of football left to play, at least that’s how they see it.

And why not? LHN has outperformed its schedule lately, winning six straight games, five of which have been against playoff teams. They will continue to deploy their running offense as long as the defense, which has not allowed more than 22 points during the streak, keeps them in good position to win.

Next: against St. Clair (6-3)

9. Armada Tigers (8-1, defeated La Coruña 42-7)

The Tigers welcomed a good Corunna team and took them behind the woodshed, becoming one of only two teams to dispatch the Cavaliers this season, joining Division 4 state contender Goodrich. It’s a good sign for a Navy team that feels good about where it is in the Division 5 race.

And why shouldn’t they? Their only mistake this season (Almont) was as close as a game can get, and almost no one else has played them within single digits since Marine City lost 7-2 to the Tigers by one point.

They are ready for a rematch with Richmond, whom they beat 42-0 in their last meeting.

Next: against Richmond (4-5)

10. Warren Mott Marauders (7-2, defeated Warren Woods Tower 33-14)

The Marauders are back in the county’s top 10 after back-to-back double-digit wins over Grosse Pointe North and Warren Woods Tower, moving them to 7-2 and comfortably in the Division 2 playoffs.

The good news for Mott is that head coach Tom Milanov has been here, and he’s done it as the longest-tenured coach in Macomb County at the same school. And he has important players in QB Mike Kronner and WR/S Wes Gilmore. For the Marauders to make any kind of breakthrough, they’re going to need those guys, among others, to take a big step forward.

Next: at Seaholm (6-3)

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Ourladyoftheassumptionparish

Dakota regains top spot in latest regular-season Macomb County football rankings – Macomb Daily

1. Dakota Cougars (8-1, defeated Oxford 28-0)

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Dakota regains top spot in latest regular-season Macomb County football rankings – Macomb Daily

1. Dakota Cougars (8-1, defeated Oxford 28-0)

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