Lake Orion hosts No. 5 Clarkston for homecoming in a must-win finish
The 3-3 Dragons must win out to reach 6-3, starting with unbeaten Clarkston at homecoming Friday and ending with unbeaten Saline.
By OCJ Staff
Lake Orion's football team must win its final three games to finish 6-3, and the path starts and ends against two of the state's top-ranked Division 1 teams.
The Dragons, 3-3 overall and 1-2 in the OAA Red, host Clarkston for homecoming on Friday, Oct. 9. The school's homecoming parade was held Oct. 4, and the dance is Saturday, Oct. 10.
Friday's matchup
Clarkston is 6-0, ranked No. 5 in Division 1 by the Associated Press and has clinched at least a share of the OAA Red. Wolves coach Justin Pintar said his team would like to "spoil that homecoming," according to the Clarkston News.
The result matters beyond Lake Orion. A Dragons win would let Oxford force a split of the OAA Red title.
Recent results
Lake Orion beat Troy 49-7 on Friday, Oct. 2, according to the Oakland Press scoreboard. A week earlier, the Dragons lost 21-17 to Rochester Adams.
What's left
After Clarkston, Lake Orion's Week 8 opponent is to be announced. Most OAA schools show no Week 8 game on MaxPreps, and those matchups are expected to be set by final league standings.
The Dragons close at home Friday, Oct. 23, against Saline, which is 6-0 and ranked No. 4 in Division 1 by the AP.
Remaining schedule
| Date | Opponent | Site | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri., Oct. 9 | Clarkston (homecoming) | Home | 7 p.m. |
| Fri., Oct. 16 | Week 8 opponent to be announced | TBA | TBA |
| Fri., Oct. 23 | Saline | Home | 7 p.m. |
Schedule according to MaxPreps as of Oct. 7.
Playoff calendar
The MHSAA will reveal playoff pairings on Selection Sunday, Oct. 25, at 5 p.m. on the NFHS Network. District games begin Friday, Oct. 30, and the finals are set for Nov. 27–28 at Ford Field.
This story uses reporting from the Clarkston News, the Lake Orion Review, the Oakland Press and MaxPreps.