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Swami has been on both sides of the football world -- parent and press box worker. The All-Knowing-One's youngest son came up through the Jets program and then onto high school. Swami never played organized ball,but he kept stats for the coaches, so he could have expressed thoughts to them about playing time and position changes, but he did not.
The next move was to the press box, where it's all about concentrating on the game.
Swami felt then and still feels it is the athlete that should prove that he deserves more playing time or a change of position through practices and game situations.
Let's see if the players will prove him right through his column this week.
ALCONA (6-1) at ROGERS CITY (7-0) -- Friday -- 7 p.m. -- This is probably the best football action this weekend as Alcona travels to Rogers City. The Tigers are eager to get back to business after seeing their perfect record evaporate after gaining a slim lead against Au Gres in a 50-34 defeat.
Rogers City remained unbeaten with a 76-22 blowout over Mio. The Hurons were in total control, shutting down Mio's aerial attack and completely shutting down the run. The Huron offensive trio of quarterback Spencer Whitford, running backs Isaac Paul and Hayden Hentkowski had a field day offensively.
Between the two teams, Alcona surprisingly has a more potent offense, scoring 117 more points over a seven-game stretch, whereas Rogers City is a stickler on the defensive side giving up 15 points per game.
Swami feels defense will win out and the Hurons have a distinct advantage in common games between the two on that side of the ball. The Tigers' offense has to outscore the Hurons by two touchdowns to come out with an upset win.
Swami Sez: Rogers City 28, Alcona 21.
PELLSTON (2-5) at ONAWAY (1-6) -- Friday -- 7 p.m. -- It may be the last Ski Valley Conference game for Pellston and Onaway, but there is a lot on the line. First, it is for bragging rights, especially after last season when Pellston controlled everything. Second, it would be a building block to carry over to the last game and next season.
The Hornets did not provide any resistance to Inland Lakes in a 36-6 blowout win. The only score of the night came on a swing pass from quarterback Kenny Crawford to Garrett Cameron, with a failed two-point conversion. The basic offense of the Hornets is the passing ability of Crawford, as the rush has gone silent for the last three weeks. Defensively, the Hornets have given up too many big plays in crucial times to put their offense back on the field.
The Cardinals suffered their third straight loss in a contest with Central Lake, just after Onaway appeared to have turned the corner with a conference win. There were many pluses for Onaway, Brendon Brewbaker was on the receiving end of two touchdown passes from quarterback Jadin Mix, who threw for 155 yards.
The secondary of the Cardinals struggled as it has done most of the season and that was the difference in the game. Kramer-St. Germain led the Cardinal defense with 14 tackles, in addition to 11 coming from Tucker Price.
It may be another long night for the Cardinals if they allow the receivers of the Hornets to make big plays.
Swami Sez: Onaway 20, Pellston 13.
ESCANABA (0-7) at ALPENA (1-6) -- Friday -- 7 p.m. -- On paper this game looks like another ho-hum game, but in Swami's eyes it is important to both Escanaba and Alpena. Alpena would like to finish off both Upper Peninsula teams to put a feather in its cap.
In the five straight losses the Wildcats have combined for a total of 41 points and to be truthful that will not put you in contention for many wins.
The Eskymo secondary is very porous when it comes to coverage, so if quarterback Jake Zann is on, he should have a field day with halfback screens and wideout picks, freeing up both for sizable gains. Don't get Swami wrong, if the weather is a constant rain, it could be the rush on the inside and end around that could turn the game in Alpena's favor.
Escanaba found success on offense against Gaylord last week as Adam Reimer pulled down a 24-yard pass from Casey Bray, but Gaylord made adjustments, bringing the offense to a halt. Escanaba, like so many teams this year, had trouble stopping the rush of the Blue Devils and their clocking eating habits.
Swami is not going out on a limb for this game, but he feels if the Wildcats have a full week to prepare they should end this losing streak and come out with a much-needed W.
Swami Sez: Alpena 24, Escanaba 18.
HILLMAN (2-5) at CHARLETON HESTON (0-7) -- Friday -- 7 p.m. -- Hillman is having a season they did not see coming, but there are always bright spots. One of them has been the rushing of freshman Easton Hunt. Another is the passing combination of quarterback A.J. Jones to Trenton Taratuta. London Achatz and Brody Appelgren have done a yeoman's job in the backfield too. Swami says Hillman just has not been able to put all the pieces together at the right time to win.
Charleton Heston's best offensive outing came in the first game of the year against Rogers City. The Patriots have struggled a lot since then. The All-Knowing-One has to believe it is difficult to go into a game with no chance of winning.
There is no doubt the Tigers upon entering the season had thought this game would sew up a playoff game as it had done in years past, but not this year.
Swami Sez: Hillman 48, Charleton Heston 6.