Rochester Life

Rochester Adams Football Wins Regional Championship 14-13 over West Bloomfield, Advances to State Semifinals!

Adams 14, West Bloomfield 13. Adams runs record to 12-0!

The Highlanders Football team had a game for the ages on Friday as they rallied from being down 13 at the half to winning 14-13 against West Bloomfield.

Adams overcame the defending state champions with resilience, strong defense and some timely scores.

The Lakers scored 2 touchdowns in the 1st half but an errant snap cost them an extra point. Parker Picot had an interception in the first half that put the team in position to score but the Lakers stopped them on 4th and goal to head to the half up 2 scores.

The Highlanders did not bat an eye as they came out and had a big stop to start the 2nd half. Alex DeGrieck had a huge sack to stop the Lakers and forced them to punt. A Joey Shallow run put the team in the red zone and set up the 1 yard touchdown run by Parker Picot. Colin Timko’s extra point was good. The defense continued to limit the high flying Laker’s offense.

In the 4th quarter, the Highlanders were able to take the lead on a short touchdown run by Griffin Henke. Colin Timko hit the extra point to make it a 1 point game. It was the defenses turn to shine as they had multiple stops in the last 9 minutes of the game to seal the victory and to hand the Regional Championship to the Highlanders!

The team earns 8 more days as they advance to the State Semifinals for the first time since 2007.

Rochester Adams is now one of only four teams left in the D1 playoffs as they advance to the State Semifinals. They will go against Grand Blanc. Grand Blanc upset #1 rated Rockford, 28-27, to advance to the Semifinals. The game is 1pm Saturday, Nov 20th at Howell High School. Howell High School is located at 1200 W Grand River Rd, Howell, MI 48843.

Rochester Adams should feel a bit at home playing away at Howell High School, afterall, Howell's nickname is...The Highlanders!

Here's a look at the MHSAA Division 1 Top 10 Playoff Point Rankings going into the playoffs.

The #1, #2 and #3 teams have all been knocked out. Four teams are left standing of the original 32 teams that made the Division 1 playoffs. Those four teams were all originally ranked in the Top 10. Teams advancing to State Semifinals are in bold below...

1. Rockford 84.222
2. Romeo 82.333
2. Saline 82.333
4. Grand Blanc 81.111
5. Rochester Adams 79.389
6. Belleville 77.444
7. West Bloomfield 76.889
8. Bloomfield Hills 76.444
9. Catholic Central 75.333
10. Ann Arbor Huron 74.222
10. Sterling Heights Stevenson 74.222

Parker Picot caps off a 43 yard TD drive with a QB sneak!

photo by Jason Creson

Alex Degrieck sacks West Bloomfield's QB for a 26 yard loss!

photo by Jason Creson

Griffin Henke rushes for a 1 yard TD, setting up Colin Timko's kick to take the lead!

photo by Jason Creson

A Quick Look at Rochester Adams Undefeated Season Run!

Fri, Aug 27, 2021:
Adams 35
West Bloomfield 17
Record: 1-0

The Rochester Adams Varsity Football team went in as the underdog Friday but came out on top against the preseason No. 1 Lakers of West Bloomfield.

From beginning to end the Highlanders controlled the clock with a tenacious running attack and a multitude of key 3rd down conversions.

The team was led by Jr. Quarterback Parker Picot who rushed for over 200 yards and had 3 scores on the ground. He also threw for a score to Sophomore Brady Prieskorn.

Christian Schomer put the icing on the cake with his 4th quarter touchdown and Colin Timko added his 5th extra point to round out the finals score at 35-17.

Not to go unnoticed was the Adams’ defense that limited a high powered offense to just 2 big plays.

A big part of the win was Adams defenders not allowing West Bloomfield to control the ball

photo by Jason Creson

Fri, Sep 3, 2021:
Adams 24
Oxford 10
Record: 2-0

The first home game for the Highlanders Varsity Football team. It was a packed stadium as the Highlanders faced off against the Wildcats.

Oxford scored first with a 46 yard field goal but it was all Highlanders after that. Scores by Marco Dicresce, Parker Picot and Griffin Henke opened up the game. Colin Timko added a 30 yard FG to finish the scoring.

Adam's dual-threat quarterback Parker Picot rushes for another touchdown

photo by Jason Creson

Fri, Sep 10, 2021:
Adams 10
Oak Park 6
Record: 3-0

The Highlanders pulled out a tough fought 10-6 win against Oak Park. It was a defensive slugfest.

The first score came in the 3rd quarter. Demarcus Rouse had a 69 yard kickoff return that set up a 30 yard FG for Colin Timko.

The start of the 4th saw the Highlander’s defense come up with a key 4th and goal stop.

The offense followed that with an 8-minute drive that resulted in a short TD run from Griffin Henke.

The Highlanders move to 3-0 on the season.

Alex Degrieck sacks Oak Park's quarterback with pressure from Griffin Henke

photo by Jason Creson

Fri, Sep 17, 2021:
Adams 49
Rochester 10
Record: 4-0

Friday was a big day on campus as the Highlanders hosted their annual Gold Rush tailgate and boy...it did not disappoint.

The crowd was buzzing and the food truck lines were almost to Van Hoosen.

The game started with a couple of back and forth scores between the Falcons and the Highlanders but it would be the 4 touchdowns by Parker Picot that would solidify the win for Adams. Griffin Henke had 2 rushing touchdowns and DJ Greer had 1. Colin Timko connected on all 7 of his extra points. The team moves to 4-0.

Parker Picot scores his first of four touchdowns!

photo by Jason Creson

Fri, Sep 24, 2021:
Adams 35
Seaholm 0
Record: 5-0

Friday was the Homecoming Game for the Varsity football team as they defeated fellow OAA white league member, Seaholm, 35-0.

The Highlanders aired it out as they scored 3 touchdowns via the passing game. Parker Picot connected with Max Cibor and Brady Prieskorn while Nick Paterra found Will Krol for touchdowns.

Marco DiCresce and D’Juan Greer scored rushing touchdowns. Colin Timko was 5 for 5 on extra points.

The defense led by Tait Picot, Rocco Orsini and Alex DeGrieck held the Maples scoreless for the 1st shut-out of the year.

The team moves to 5-0 on the year.

Joey Shallow deeply focused on pulling in the pass

photo by Jason Creson

Fri, Oct 1, 2021:
Adams 28 OT
North Farmington 21
Record: 6-0

Coach Tony Patritto talked about playing with passion and with love for your teammate. This was evident and needed as the Highlanders fell behind in the 4th quarter 21-14.

The team did not quit though and a key fumble caused by Tait Picot and recovered by Alex DeGrieck led to an 8-yard Joey Shallow touchdown run.

The game was one for the nerves as the North Farmington Raiders got within field goal range with 11 seconds left. Griffin Henke saved the day with his second blocked field goal and the game would head to overtime.

Parker Picot scored his 2nd touchdown of the game with a sneak from 1 foot out to put the team ahead 28-21.

The defense would not disappoint as they stood tall and stopped the Raiders on 4th and 5 to preserve the win and earn the team a playoff berth.

Griffin Henke blocked two field goals, amazing the crowd and players alike; the second one sending the game into overtime

photo by Jason Creson

Fri, Oct 8, 2021:
Adams 24
Groves 7
Record: 7-0

Adams Football WINS OAA White League Championship!

Adams takes a 7-0 lead with 3:37 left in the 1st quarter as Nick Paterra rushes for an 8-yard touchdown. Colin Timko converts the extra point.

Adams goes up 21-7 as Nick Paterra connects with Christian Schomer for a 25-yard touchdown pass. Colin Timko converts another extra point.

With 9:19 left in the 4th quarter, Colin Timko nails a 20-yard field goal. Adams goes on to win 24-7 over Groves.

Colin Timko's foot is AUTOMATIC!

photo by Jason Creson

Fri, Oct 15, 2021:
Adams 40
Stoney Creek 20
Record: 8-0

On the gridiron the varsity football team took care of business within the city limits by defeating Stoney Creek 40-20. The team moves to 8-0.

Marco Dicresce, Griffin Henke and Parker Picot each had 2 touchdowns in the win. Alex DeGrieck was a force on the defensive and offensive line while Christian Schomer had two big catches and some big runs.

Christian Schomer dives for a spectacular catch!

photo by Jason Creson

Fri, Oct 22, 2021:
Adams 42
Detroit Renaissance 6
Record: 9-0

Friday was a day for the record books as the Highlanders Varsity Football team defeated Renaissance 42-6 to end the regular season 9-0. It was the 4th time in school history and the 1st since 2005.

The Highlanders ran off to a quick 7-0 lead when Griffin Henke found the end zone on the 2nd play of the game from just inside the 50. Colin Timko converted the extra point.

Midway through the 2nd quarter, Brady Prieskorn reels in an over the shoulder 19 yard TD pass from Nick Paterra. Automatic Timko converts EXtar Point. Adams goes up 14-0.

Adams goes up 21-0 as Griffin Henke follows the blocks of Alex Degrieck for a TD. Another Timko extra point.

After a Damarcus Rouse interception, the Highlanders drive 80 yards capped off by a short TD run by Henke, Adams leads 35-6.

Joey Shallow gets in on the action with a nice cutback to find the endzone. Paxton Battershell with the extra point. Adams wins 42-6.

On Sunday the Highlanders found out they will host Lapeer in the first round of the playoffs.

Griffin Henke rushes for a touchdown!

photo by Jason Creson

Fri, Oct 29, 2021:
Adams 42
Lapeer 20
Record: 10-0

On the gridiron, the Highlanders couldn’t stop the rain but they did keep the Lightning at bay as they defeated Lapeer 42-20.

Parker Picot had 3 rushing touchdowns with runs of 9, 1 and 40. Griffin Henke had a 38-yard touchdown run while his counterpart in the backfield Marco Dicresce had a 34-yard scamper. Nick Paterra finished the scoring with a 9 yard TD run. Colin Timko hit all 6 of his extra point attempts.

Some unsung players include Alex DeGrieck who wreaked havoc in the backfield including causing a fumble that led to a score. Tait Picot who had a 70+ yard punt and was a tackle machine. Peyton Montour had an onside kick return while the offensive and defensive line continued with their strong play.

The team advances to the district finals to be held at Rochester Adams next Friday at 7 PM against the Wildcats of Oxford.

Alex DeGrieck forces a fumble and turnover!

photo by Jason Creson

Fri, Nov 5, 2021:
Adams 42
Oxford 7
Record: 11-0

The Football team defeated Oxford 42-7 to earn their first District title since 2013. The team was paced by Parker Picot who had 3 rushing touchdowns and threw for 1 to Joey Shallow. Nick Paterra and Griffin Henke both had rushing touchdowns. Alex DeGrieck had 5 sacks in the victory to set a school record in a playoff game.

The Highlanders struck first with a Parker Picot 18-yard touchdown run and extra point conversion by Colin Timko to go up 7-0.

With 8:39 left in the 2nd quarter, Adams extended their lead to 14-0 with a Griffen Henke 2-yard touchdown rush to the right of center.

Four minutes later, Adams extends their lead to 21-0, when Parker Picot finishes an 8-yard scamper just inside the right pylon. Timko converst extra point.

In an almost identical, yet opposite play to the previous touchdown, Picot runs to his left and scampers just inside the left pylon with 14 seconds left in the half. Adams goes into halftime leading 28-0.

The Highlanders score the their final touchdown at 10:22 in the 4th when Alex Degrieck clears the path for Nick Paterra from just outside the 10. Colin Timko completes his 6th extra point. Adams goes up 42-0.

The unsung heroes were the offensive line of Finn Tobiczyk, Andrew Rolfs, Rocco Orsini, Nick Stokan, Brady Prieskorn and DeGreick who created massive holes for the backs to run through. Colin “Steady as they Go” Timko was again perfect with extra points going six for six.

Rochester Adams is now one of only eight teams left in the D1 playoffs as they advance to the State Quarterfinals. They will faceoff against West Bloomfield, who they defeated in week 1, 35-17. This time it will be on the Highlanders home turf. Game is Friday, Nov. 12th at 7pm.

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