Jere Bey, A.K.A. "Swami"

Anytime Swami initiates taking on something new there is caution and apprehension. But once he gets past that point, it is as if he had done it before. Last week there was a lot of both, as area football teams did not know what to expect. Even though the players have been playing the game for numerous years.

Now that week one is under their belts, some teams feel it is business as usual, while for others it is a way to improve upon what went wrong. Swami is in the same position, this week he has to take a step back, and realize that he is not perfect. In addition, he has been through this for years, so the newness has worn off. It is the All-Knowing One’s hope that he also can improve from the prediction mistakes of the first week.

Let’s see if Swami can improve just like teams will do.

ALPENA (0-1) at MARQUETTE (0-1) — Friday — 7 p.m.

The Alpena opener was a game that keep everyone interested for the entire four quarters. It was not like last season, as the game was determined in a couple of possessions and for all practical purposes it was over in the first quarter. The first five minutes, some might have thought they were seeing another repeat, as Boyne City put the first points on the board. But the Wildcat defense responded with a fumble recovery, and even though Alpena was not able to turn it into points, it was another plus.

The Wildcats’ first points of the season came on a pass play from Xavier Szymoniak to his brother Andrew. Brady Chapman tacked on the extra point. Aidan Aube also found the end zone, that pushed Alpena closer to a win. But it was the Ramblers that prevailed in the end.

Even though Swami did not see the game, the Wildcat defense is vastly improved, and the offense has the ability to move the ball. So now the only question is what will week two bring?

Early predictions have Marquette returning to the post season. Negaunee dashed the thoughts of a perfect season, with a thrilling 30-22 upset. The Sentinels were relying on the arm of quarterback Ford Richardson, but the defense of Negaunee kept him scrambling all game. The Sentinels were playing from behind all game long, but it was actually the final play that determined the outcome. Richardson connected with Pierce Pittsley, then a hook and ladder, added several laterals, but the Miners were able to make a stop before a score. Overall, the Sentinels put together 348 yards of offense. Richardson accounted for 161 of those yards through the air to five different receivers. James Goodwin led the rushing attack with 112 yards, while Richardson contributed 60.

Swami feels Alpena will face a strong ground game, with an equally present passing attack. Something the Wildcats did not face in the opener. The big question is can the Wildcats continue their success on both sides of the ball to pull out the win?

Swami Sez: Marquette 24, Alpena 14.

ALCONA (0-1) at AUGRES (0-1) — Friday — 7 p.m.

The opener for both Alcona and Augres did not turn out the way either had thought. The Tigers found themselves on the wrong end of a 42-22 loss to Hillman, while Augres could not put enough points on the board against Mio.

Karsen Gonyea led the Tiger ground game with 140 yards on 19 touches and accounted for two of the three scores Alcona would have on the night. Gavin Dellar had a double-digit defensive game with 11 tackles and a sack. Mason Norling and Ben Johnston contributed eight each. Overall, the Tigers could not make the stops to keep Hillman out of the end zone.

The Wolverines could be another test for Alcona’s defense through the air. Quarterback Carson Ososki has the arm to score quickly as he torched Mio with a bomb to Levi Jones. Then Ososki went short to Charlie Schnettier for the other score. Augres was satisfied with their pass defense, in previous years it would have let the down, despite how many points they could score. Swami says what Augres must concentrate on is the rush.

Swami taking a look at both sides of the coin. Alcona looks to rush the ball, with the pass being a second option. Whereas, Augres likes to air it out, only using the running game on occasions. So, the All-Knowing One looks for a contrasting game, which one will be more productive.

Swami Sez: Alcona 30, AuGres 18.

KALKASKA (1-0) at OSCODA (1-0) — Friday — 7 p.m.

Both Kalkaska and Oscoda got off on the right foot with victories. The Blazers took a low scoring affair against Elk Rapids, while Oscoda completely outplayed Roscommon in a revenge game from last season. Roscommon kept the Owls from making the playoffs, so Oscoda wanted to return the favor, doing it in workmanship fashion. How did Oscoda accomplish the feat? By dominating on both the offensive and defensive lines.

Kalkaska set the tone early in a tight contest, as Elk Rapids found themselves backed up to the goal line on their first drive, resulting in a safety. After that point both squads could not move the ball in a defensive struggle. Only a shade over two minutes remained on the clock when the Blazers finally got the offense rolling. A screen pass from quarterback Hunter Wilkinson to Nolan Seidelman put the Blazers in scoring position. Wilkinson finished off the drive on a one-yard plunge. This week, if they entertain the thought for a win, they will have overcome mistakes that cost them points.

The Owls won the battle of the lines, both offensively and defensively. Having those holes, Hunter Vicenty-Cole had the pass, run option available to him all game long. Vicenty-Cole rushed for 185 yards of the team’s total 317, in addition to three touchdowns. Randy Eschenburg put the Owls safely ahead with 73 yards of rushing, to go with a rushing touchdown. Casey Nelson, Crue Weisenstein and Dustin Filipiak also contributed to the total team win. Defensively, it was another total team effort led by Brett Travis with double digit tackles.

Swami Sez: Oscoda 35, Kalkaska 8.

ROGERS CITY (1-0) at ATLANTA (1-0) — Friday — 7 p.m.

Rogers City makes the short jaunt to Atlanta, it is far shorter than Calvin Christian riding 500 miles to play the Hurons last Thursday. Christian never got its legs underneath themselves with the long trip, as the Hurons made it look easy taking the win. Not the same can be said about Atlanta, escaping with a 62-60 win over Whittemore-Prescott. The game was not for the faint of heart, but was certainly action-packed.

The Hurons featured a balance between the run and pass, in taking the 24-8 win. Cayden Rhode scored 14 of the Hurons’ total points, to go along with 126 yards of rushing. Quarterback Bryan McKinstry mastered the pass-run offense, gaining another 64 yards through the air. In all, the Hurons put together a 266-yard night. Ethan Spens was a standout on defense with nine tackles.

Atlanta held a commanding lead midway through the third quarter, 62-36. The Cardinals rallied with 24 straight points, and actually had a chance to pull out the win, but a failed fourth down play, gave the Huskies the win. Blake King was a one-man wrecking crew, amassing 236 passing yards, and still having time to pick up another 157 on the ground. Wide out Eli Hagemeister was the favorite receiver with 44 yards. Defensively, Brett Culham was credited with 14 tackles.

It is Swami’s hope that this contest will be equally exciting. The All-Knowing One knows last season’s opener was all of that as the Huskies prevailed by the slimmest of margins. The Hurons are looking to attain a win, which would match their season total from last season. Atlanta was riding high for three quarters of the season, before season-ending losses put them at 6-4 on the year. If the Huskies are to improve on last season, they will have to do one game at a time, and this is the game.

Swami Sez: Atlanta 32, Rogers City 16.