HIGH-SCORING YELLOWJACKETS PUT ON QUITE A SHOW WITH THEIR AERIAL ANTICS AND STAKE CLAIM AS MOST ENTERTAINING TEAM TO WATCH IN LOCAL PREP FOOTBALL

They might not be the best overall football team in the area, but the Auburn Hills Avondale Yellowjackets sport some serious firepower at the skills positions, especially the passing game, and could be the most exciting team to watch play this season in all of Oakland County.

Ninth-year Avondale head coach Steve Deutch has bred some high-octane talent on the offensive side of the ball in his near-decade tenure at the helm of the 'Jackets gridiron program (names like Adrian Cannon, Jeff Hines, D.J Lynch, Francois Mathews, Sean Mather, among others come to mind) and this year has brought more of the same.

Simply put, Avondale's vertical passing attack is one of the best in the state and as dominant as can possibly be on the prep level. After a meager 20-point output in Week 1, the Yellowjackets are averaging over 45 points per game!!! If you're from the old school, think the Air Coryell San Diego Chargers of the early-1980s or if you're from the new school think the 2007 New England Patriots who went 16-0 in the regular season before losing to the NY Giants in the Super Bowl.

Everything for this juggernaut point machine starts with the quarterback. Entering his second year starting under center, junior Mitch Robinson is by far the most improved player in the county. Through only four games, Robinson, also a standout baseball player in the spring, has thrown for over 1200 yards and 16 TDs against only two interceptions. He had 18 passing touchdowns through all of last season, leading the team to a 5-4 record. Robinson is 6-feet-1 inch tall and still growing. If he reaches 6-2 by next summer, he will most likely have his choice of sports to play at the D1 college level.

Then there is Robinson's elite receiving corps, headed by dynamic athletes like Ray Tillman, Tony Harris, Ryan Brancheau, Taylor Drabek, and Michael Johnson. Tillman (6-0, 170) is a deep threat with moves and wheels like few around. He's already gone for over 200 yards receiving in two games so far this year. Brancheau (6-3 215) is another stat-munching wide out with big play capability and Harris is an expert scat-back in the mold of Reggie Bush. Drabek is coming into his own as a top-flight tight end this season and Johnson is carrying the load at running back, doing an admirable job taking the place of departed star player Francois Mathews (Central Methodist).

During the winter, Tillman and Harris are an all-conference backcourt for the 'Jackets basketball team. Joining them on the hardwood is Brancheau, a sturdy and active power forward with a nice touch around the hoop. Drabek is an all-state baseball player in the spring on a team Robinson is the catcher for.         

Sitting at 2-2 right now, Deutch's "Jack Attack" could easily be 4-0. I suspect with the type of weaponry Avondale is playing with this year, they have a good shot at making it into the playoffs in spite of taking two bitter losses to kick-off the campaign.

If you're a fan of "pinball-style" football, back-and-fourth games and lots of airing it out, I suggest you get out to see the Avondale Yellowjackets this season and get a look for yourself in person.

 

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