The Great Burnzini's top games of the week: 

Overall '09 Record - 47-11

Southfield v. Rochester Hills Adams – The Blue Jays and Highlanders meeting up in a rematch of last-season's epic-tussle (won in the final seconds by Adams), is probably the best game on the slate Friday night. I foresee this one being another down-to-the-wire affair as Southfield's locomotive-like running attack faces off against a stifling Adams defense. The Highlanders' edge at Quarterback and always-raucous home crowd advantage will prove the difference.

Adams 24 Southfield 21

Clarkston v. Southfield-Lathrup – Kurt Richardson's Wolf Pack are getting better each game, showing that they can play any kind of style and still come out victorious. Different players have stepped up in key situations in all four of the team's wins and that's always an encouraging sign  - not to mention a key factor in putting together any successful athletic campaign. What's even scarier – more so for opposing "D" units on the Wolves s chedule – is that the much-heralded C-Town 'O' has yet to hit its full stride. There will be no let down like last season when the favored-Wolves dropped a shootout to S-Lathrup at home. The host-Chargers keep it close until the fourth when C-Town pulls away for the win.

Clarkston 28 S-Lathrup 17

 Auburn Hills Avondale v. Ferndale – Both Avondale and Ferndale need this win in a bad way - each coming off disappointing losses in Week 4. Francois Matthews drops the bomb on Ferndale for the road warrior-Yellow Jackets, rushing for 150 yards and three scores. Deonte Cooper and Brandon Pittman make things interesting for the home crowd – combining for three TD's - but it's not enough. Mitch Robinson hooks up with Ray Tillman for the winning score and Avondale escape's with the victory.

Avondale 31 Ferndale 24

Warren De La Salle v. Birmingham Brother Rice (Sat) – Rice rebounds big and takes care of business at home. Warriors QB Frankie Popp finds his favorite target, Kevonte Martin-Manley, for a pair of scores and Jimmy Pickens takes one in on 8O' and 'D'. Ornery and focused following the CC loss in Week 4, Fracassa's boys will come out with their helmets on fire and hit anything that comes within their striking distance.  This will be a old-fashioned grit-fest with the Warriors ending up on top.

Rice 20 De La Salle 17

 

Novi Detroit Catholic Central v. Dearborn Divine Child – The finely-tuned machine that is the CC Shamrocks this year is in take-no-prisoners mode and the epitome of excellence in high school football. I'm talking about great kids, being coached by great coaches, and cheered on by a first class fan base.  The dominant line play on both sides of the ball coupled with such outstanding leadership from a battle-tested senior class, makes head coach Tom Mach's  squad my mid-season favorite to win it all in at Ford Field in November. DC doesn't't stand a chance.

CC 42 DC 7

Farmington Hills Harrison v. Birmingham Groves – Employing an explosive offense and playmaking defense, the Hawks have unlimited potential. After a playoff absence in '08, I'm certain these guys won't let their early season success go to their heads.  Even with a 4-0 record and a number two ranking in the state, Harrison is still hungry. The Hawks have gotten better with each win and senior field general Vince Salatino is playing some of the best quarterback in the entire Metro-Detroit area.  Watch out Groves, Salatino and "The Posse" –  Harrison's primed offensive arsenal (Slobin, Burbridge, Coleman, Kelly, and Evans to name a few) – are coming to town and they're locked and loaded.  Salatino throws for another trio scores and Steve Slobin takes two more in on the ground. Harrison cruises!

Harrison 35 Groves 10

Birmingham Detroit Country Day v. Flint Carmen-Ainsworth (Sat) – This game will tell me all I need to know about the Yellowjackets. I've been championing the very-talented Country Dayers all year long and I'm not about to jump ship after one bump in the road –alas a=2 0blow-out loss to Highland Park last week . I have faith Josh Harris, Lee Bailey, Kenny Knight and the boys will have the "O" back to form after a less-than stellar outing against Highland Park. No doubt Jason Ray and Chris Eddins will do the same with the 'D'. DCD pulls out a close one.

DCD 28 FCA 27

Lake Orion V. Troy Athens – The Dragons' will steamroll past Athens with ease.  The relentless running back duo of Kim Bruce and Marques Stevenson hit opposing defenses like a tsunami, so Red Hawks bring your bathing suits and a couple of towels. Sean Charette spreads it around, tossing TD's to Mike Nelson, Daniel Ney, and Zach Zott. Bruce and Stevenson each make it over the goal line for a score apiece too.

LO 35  T. Athens 7

West Bloomfield v. Troy – Could wind up being the best game of the night by the simple fact that both squads need a 'W' to keep their playoff hopes safe and sound.  The Lakers and Colts exchange blows for a full-four quarters, lighting up the scoreboard with type of numbers that were expected from each team in Week 4. Whoever has the ball last has the best chance of winning this one. I see Colts Bobby Wunderlich finding Bobby Pardun for the winning TD. Get your grove on Gary Griffith, the Oak Park game will be a distance memory after your boys play tough at home against the WB.

Troy 34 The WB 30

Waterford Kettering V. Walled Lake Northern – With Northern's Jason Tucker and Kettering's Ryan Dingman locking horns, you better make sure the stat man has an extra pencil and plenty of spare paper. This one will be another shootout, the type of game both Tucker and Dingman excel at. Coming off a 160 yard, 3 TD performance, Dingman is hot. Tucker – 415 yards and four passing TD's in WEEK 4 -  is hotter.

WL Northern 28 W. Kettering  21   

Walled Lake Central v. Waterford Mott – A 4-0 start has Central thinking conference title. The Vikings are rolling with an extremely efficient offense and opportunistic "D=E 2.  Bob Meyer's crew will go on the road and mash Mott to a pulp.  Meyer = front runner for KLAA coach of the year. Great job, Bob!

Cranbrook v. RO Shrine – Watch out Cranes, Shrines QB Branch Kampe is about to give the home crowd a treat and go all BRANCH KAMPE!

Shrine 30 Cranbrook 20

Orchard Lake St. Mary's v. UOFD-Jesuit – Eaglets make it two in a row and by going on the road and laying the smack down on the host-Cubbies.  Robert Bolden throws for a pair of scores and Ernest Thomas, Corey Lucas, and Gary Hunter all take the Nestee Plunge into the end zone.  

OLSM 38 UofD-Jesuit 12

Pontiac  v. Bloomfield Hills Andover – You can't stop Phoenix field general Jonathon McKnight, you can only hope to contain him! After this weekend, Pontiac will be 4-1 and the playoffs will only be two wins away. Wow! Who w ould of thought?

Pontiac 34 Andover 7