By Jim Newell
Review Editor
ORION TWP. — Kickoff for the first game of Lake Orion High School’s varsity football season is just eight days away and the Dragons are gearing up for another competitive season.
Practices began Aug. 7, with players running drills, learning plays and conditioning at Dragon Stadium in preparation for the first game against Livonia Stevenson in the Battle at the Big House.
Lake Orion takes the gridiron at the University of Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Aug. 24. Kickoff is scheduled for noon. Stevenson finished 4-5 in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association-East division last year.
Lake Orion competes in the Oakland Activities Association Red Division, which includes Clarkston, Oxford, West Bloomfield, Rochester Adams and Stoney Creek high schools.
Chris Bell is in his 21st season as head of the Dragons and his second season returning after a five-year hiatus. Bell’s record is 153-65 as coach of the Dragons and 175-85 overall in his 24 years as head coach.
The Dragons finished 4-6 overall (2-3 OAA Red) last season, and will run a spread offense this year, according to information from the team.
Bell says speed is a strength of this year’s team and experience will be a factor with the Dragons returning multiple starters on both sides of the ball.
On offense for the Dragons, leading returning starters include junior quarterback Tristan Hill, senior running back Billy Roberson, senior slot receiver Raymond Payne, senior wide receiver Dominic Novak, senior receiver Joey Debrincat and senior offensive linemen Alex Russell, Connor O’Rourke and Sam Blakely.
Defensively, the Dragons return senior linebacker Kayden Degraffenreid, junior lineman Brendan Nepchuk, senior defensive back Corbin Smith and junior defensive backs Trey Pochmara and Austin Cahn.
Assistant coaches are Brad Fischer, Mike Heath, John Blackstock, Rick Powell, Russ Purdy, D.J. Reid, Brian Gannon, Eric Jennings, Corey Bell, Rob Karagosian, Doug Babcock and Taylor McCarty.
Battle at the Big House
Tickets for the Battle at the Big House are available at the Lake Orion High School Athletic Office at Lake Orion High School, or in person at the game. Tickets are $10 per person, cash only. U of M does not provide senior discounts, so all attendees will have to purchase tickets.
Parking for the game is $10, credit card only. Parking is available at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School, across the street from Michigan Stadium. Fans can enter the stadium through gates 1 or 2. Handicap parking is available next to the stadium. Concessions are available at the game, credit card only accepted.
See the Aug. 30 issue of The Lake Orion Review for this year’s Gridiron section.