Sometimes, a matter of seconds can make all the difference. The old adage says: ‘If I had left a few seconds earlier or later, this would not have happened.’ People are human and not perfect, so there is a 50/50 chance of things turning out badly because of a delay.

Football is the same as life; a defensive player blitzes the line and makes the highlight reel. Or, if the halfback reads this and breaks to the outside, suddenly he is the hero in this scenario.

It is all about being in the right place at the right time. Let’s see if Swami is right on this week?

PETOSKEY (1-3) at ALPENA (1-3) — Friday — 7 p.m. — With two hellish weeks on the road behind it, can Alpena get back in the Big North Conference race. Park Family Field at Wildcat Stadium was friendly to them last time after they beat Marquette. Can the Wildcats duplicate it tonight? Last week’s conference opener against Cadillac was anything but successful in a 46-14 loss.

The Wildcats’ defense controlled the rush of Cadillac, but could not contain quarterback Charlie Howell from lighting up Alpena for 292 yards and five touchdowns. That was last week, and now the Wildcats must go back to the drawing board in facing Petoskey.

The Northmen are in the same predicament as the Wildcats. Petoskey could not stop the passing attack of Gaylord last week and lost. If Alpena is to get on the winning side, the passing game seems to be the way to go. But the defense also must shore up and not get burned on the pass either.

The Northmen are a mixture of run and pass-type offense, Petoskey relies on C.J. Hibbler, the do-it-all halfback. Hibbler put the Northmen on the board early last week, but an injury on the ensuing kickoff ended his night. If Hibbler is not able to go, then the RPO will squarely be placed on quarterback Joe McCarthy, who has excelled, going 15-of 17-for 139 yards. His main target was Seth Marek with 138 yards.

This game hinges on who is physically able to play for Petoskey. Alpena has to continue to plug along and not let the last play affect them.

Swami Sez: Alpena 24, Petoskey 21.

ONAWAY (1-3) at GAYLORD ST. MARY (2-2) — Friday — 7 p.m. — Onaway not only picked up its first win last week, but ran on all cylinders, and hopes to continue to improve. St. Mary put together an all-out comeback attempt, but fell short 44-40.

Onaway used the homecoming atmosphere to hammer Forest Area. Hudson Decker used a devastating rushing game of four touchdowns and two 2-pt. conversions to go along with 163 yards. Onaway used predominantly a rushing attack to slice and dice the Forest Area defense.

The Cardinals defense was equally tough, allowing a late touchdown only when the game was in hand. Justin Kramer-St. Germain paced Onaway with six tackles, a touchdown and fumble recovery.

The Snowbirds dug a 36-8 hole and lost two quarterbacks against Inland Lakes. Junior Dillon Croff was called upon to lead the offense and he responded. A five-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter gave the Snowbirds life. Croff led the all out charge in the second half, scoring on runs of 20,50,36 and 30 yards tightening up the once lopsided game. Croff finished with 319 yards of total offense, 250 rushing yards, 49 yards receiving and 20 passing, to go along with six touchdowns.

Swami says this game has a chance to be done in record time with a lot of run plays. Or it might drag on with a high score.

Swami Sez: Gaylord St. Mary 24, Onaway 12.

ATLANTA (0-4) at WHITTEMORE-PRESCOTT (2-2) — Friday — 7 p.m. — Atlanta took Rogers City down to the final play to spoil their upset attempt. Quarterback T.J. Currie hooked up with wide receiver Landon Galea for two touchdowns. The Huskies played their most competitive game of the season on both sides of the ball.

Whittemore-Prescott got a taste of what it’s like to be in contention for the North Star crown, being defeated 56-8 by Au Gres. Quarterback Sam Vyner and halfback Dillan Parent led the Cardinals’ defense with double digit tackles, but could not stop the rushing game of the Wolverines.

Swami says for the Cardinals to win, they have to control both sides of the ball. For the Huskies’, they know what it takes to win now, all they have to do is go out and do it.

Swami Sez: Atlanta 20, Whittemore-Prescott 8.

HILLMAN (1-3) at AU GRES (3-1) — Friday — 7 p.m. — Hillman is running out of time and opportunities to come out with a successful season. The Wolverines continue to look towards the next game, not taking anything for granted.

The Tigers have a unique offense: Quarterback A.J. Jones has the arm to do big things, while Easton Hunt has the ability to run the ball for more than 100 yards a game. The problem is the Tigers have not put together a complete game. Swami has to think sooner than later the wins will fall into place.

Defenses have found it hard to bring down a solid Keagan Bender and his counterpart Cole Pendred, both finished with over 100 yards of rushing on limited carries. Wolverines’ quarterback Carter Zeien has shown he can be an accurate passer as well as a third option on the rush.

Swami hates to say a trio of hard rushers will do more damage on the defense.

Swami Sez: Au Gres 38, Hillman 13.