Pat Caputo: Compelling Stories Abound At High School Playoffs

Every football team, every year, has a story.

For those Oakland County teams remaining in the high school state playoffs, which are entering the regional phase this weekend, those stories are particularly compelling.

Walled Lake Central, which advanced to the Division 2 semifinals last season, moved up to Division 1 and drew Lake Orion and Clarkston, both on the road. The Vikings won each game.

They did so with head coach Bob Meyer having to leave the team for extended periods because his mother was very ill and died recently. This after star quarterback Zac Leimbach's father, who was very involved in the Vikings' athletic program, passed away during the spring. The Walled Lake Central football team is one of those close-knit units that understands the bigger-picture issues of life, let alone football. The Vikings are considered heavy underdogs at Utica Eisenhower this week. But here's fair warning: You count out the Vikings at your own peril. Don't let the three regular season losses fool you. If there was ever a team on a mission, it's Walled Lake Central.

Walled Lake Western entered the playoffs with screaming headlines about a hazing incident that has caused enormous controversy in the school and the community.

Read the rest here at The Oakland Press.