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It seems the older we get the less time we have to enjoy it. Seems like only yesterday, the All-Knowing-One was preparing for the summer with the Memorial Day weekend. That came and went, so did the fourth of July. Now it has suddenly come to an end with Labor Day. He is planning on enjoying this weekend to the fullest.
Even though summer is just about over, there are the weekends filled with high school and college football, so he will have enjoyment for months to come.
CHEBOYGAN (0-1) at ALPENA (0-1) -- 7 p.m. -- Thursday -- It was not a complete washout for the Wildcats against Marquette last week despite a 49-14 loss.
There probably were a number of obstacles that derailed Alpena, especially Marquette's quarterback. Alpena will face another pass-orientated squad in Cheboygan, which gave Petoskey a run for its money. The Chiefs almost completed the task, as Henry Stempky found his favorite receiver, Daniel Wilcom, for three scores in the 38-27 defeat. Dylan Balazovic accounted for the final tally on a two-yard plunge. Overall, Swami saw a balance between the rush and pass, accounting for 247 total yards.
Despite the loss, Alpena's quarterback Jake Zann put up some impressive numbers, with 16 completions out of 25 attempts for 162 yards. Zann found Mason Mumford on a 13-yard pass right for his first varsity touchdown. Jason Smolinski led the ground attack with 87 yards and a score.
Now it is up to the Wildcats' defense not to let Cheboygan gain the first step on passing routes. The All-Knowing-One knows if you dig a hole, it is very difficult to get out of, as was the case against Marquette. The Wildcats can not just bottle up Wilcom as Cheboygan has a number of receivers that can burn you as well.
Swami Sez: Alpena 18, Cheboygan 14.
POSEN (0-1) at ATLANTA (0-1) -- 7 p.m. -- Friday -- What a difference a year makes. With a 3-4 campaign, Atlanta averaged nearly 27 points per game. In the opener the Huskies were limited to a single touchdown in a 50-8 whitewashing by Au Gres.
Posen was the direct opposite, with Ethan Soik breaking through holes with three rushing touchdowns in the first half, staking the Vikings to an 18-14 halftime lead. The second half belonged to Central Lake, which scored 18 unanswered points en route to the win. Swami says it remains to be seen if the Vikings defense can hold out for an entire game.
Trace Juergens is Atlanta's only senior and scored the Huskies' only touchdown last week. But Atlanta has to come up with another threat to keep the opposition off balance. Swami feels it is going to take the arm of quarterback TJ Currie to make the ground game work. Atlanta has the tools to be a sound team, but like anything it is going to take time.
Swami feels both squads will have to dig into their memory banks for what will work in this contest. The All-Knowing-One believes the Viking seniors will rise to the occasion, with the youth to follow suit.
Swami Sez: Posen 28, Atlanta 12.
MIO (1-0) at HILLMAN (0-1) -- 7 p.m. -- Thursday -- One of the oldest North Star League rivalries will be renewed tonight. Hillman has held the upper hand in the last handful of matchups, but this year could be the turning point for Mio.
The Thunderbolts trounced Charlton Heston 56-0. The Tigers faced a newcomer to 8-Player football in Alcona, which prevailed 20-6. The Tigers' lone score came on a pass play from quarterback AJ Jones to Jeff Klein.
Swami feels that Mio did not play the stiffest of competition, so it is really hard to gauge if they are considered top notch. The Thunderbolts like to go to the air led by Brendan Deflorio and spread the wealth among five wide receivers and tight end Seth Bills. After the passing attack was grounded to a certain extent, Mio's ground game finished on a high note.
Swami believes the Tigers have more offense then they showed. They just have to get everyone on the same page. When it comes together they will be a force. But on this night, the Thunderbolts will reign down from above.
Swami Sez: Mio 35, Hillman 20.
ALCONA (1-0) at MERRILL (0-1) -- 7 p.m. -- Thursday -- Merrill saw first hand how quick 8-Player football can be played in a 42-12 drubbing last week and Alcona topped Hillman.
Merrill scored on its first drive, but it was all downhill from there, as Marion scored in every conceivable way. The Vandals are a very young team that is learning as they go.
Alcona used two rushing touchdowns from Mike Basner to win last week. The two scores, combined with a very stingy defense, made it tough on Hillman. The combination of quarterback Garrett Somers to Gavin Walker put the exclamation point on the win.
Swami is kind of caught on the fence, for Marion is considered a top notch team, so the score against Merrill has him thinking that the Vandals are a competitive team that could give the Tigers a run.
Swami Sez: Alcona 28, Merrill 14.