Each year around this time, Kosmo gazes at the boys soccer state semifinal pairings and is amazed at how many Oakland County teams are still playing for the right to go to the state semifinals.
It doesn't what division it is either. The area is always well-represented.
Unfortunately, things are a little different this year.
In an unusual development, only one county team is still alive for Wednesday's semifinals, and that is Bloomfield Hills Lahser.
Two teams Kosmo thought would be there, Troy in Division 1 and Auburn Hills Oakland Christian in Division 4, were beat last week in regionals (Oakland Christian's loss to Southfield Christian was particularly stunning).
So that leaves Lahser, which has a great chance to move on to Saturday's finals. Not only are the Knights playing a virtual home game since the semifinal site is Bloomfield Hills Andover, but Lapeer East is a beatable opponent.
East has had a wonderful year, but playing in the Flint Metro is a little different animal than in the OAA Red.
Congrats to the Knights on what they've done so far and Kosmo knows they'll represent the county well on Wednesday and in Saturday's final.
- Volleyball districts opened up on Monday night, and already there's a nice playoff showdown on the horizon. Bogie Lake Road rivals Lakeland and Walled Lake Northern, annually two of the area's best teams, will meet in a district semifinal at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Milford. Lakeland won both regular season meetings, but that obviously means nothing now.