No two weeks are the same. Monday was Swami’s day off, so he wanted to do something constructive. With a sunny 75-degree day, the All-Knowing-One had thoughts of finishing projects around the house. At the same time, it was too beautiful of a day to be working.

More importantly, he thought back to the day before and the repair he’d have to make to the family’s 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe. One of the heater hoses was leaking and it seemed like a quick fix, but upon further investigation, Swami found that he’d need a new coupler. It was only a $13 fix, but Swami knew that a new car was in the family’s future especially with 244,000 miles on the Tahoe.

Swami ended up going car shopping with his wife Rosalyn and she dashed off to Petoskey afterward to see her new grandson: Swami’s oldest daughter Melanie and son-in-law Keith were proud parents of their third child, Oliver Parker Stevens, who was born at 4:13.

Now to this week’s picks:

OGEMAW HEIGHTS (1-1) at ALPENA (1-1) – The Wildcats were not about to let the game against Sault Ste. Marie get away from them. Alpena played a complete game despite some calls that gave the Blue Devils life. Sault’s two scores basically came on big plays:, the first was a 69-yard run on its first play from scrimmage that made it 8-7; the other score came late in the fourth quarter.

Jordan Ferguson took matters into his own hands early, rambling for a touchdown. Ferguson finished the night with 207 yards on the ground, to go along with three more scores with most of the yardage coming on punishing runs. Kicker Evan LeTourneau booted the ball for Alpena’s other points.

Quarterback Ben Hartley was equally effective for the Falcons and put the game away late with a 75-yard punt return. Hartley also found receivers open for 87 yards and a score and run for more than 100 yards and a touchdown.

Alpena’s defense has responded very well in the first two games, but will face a mobile quarterback tonight. Hartley has the ability to pull it down and take off for the open spaces. Alpena must contain Hartley or the offense will have to match those efforts and go one step better to pull out the win.

Swami feels Ferguson will match or better Hartley’s output, but he feels the real variable will be the arm of Tyler Pintar keeping the Falcons’ defense from keying on Alpena’s running game.

Swami Sez: Alpena 24, Ogemaw Heights 21.

ROGERS CITY (2-0) at ALCONA (2-0) – Both of these teams are off to good starts. The Hurons have put together back-to-back shutouts and the Tigers’ youth is coming together.

After a scoreless first half against Rudyard, Jacob Malocha quickly romped for two touchdowns in the third quarter, while putting together a 19 carry game for 169 yards. The defense of Josh Belusar kept Rudyard off the board with two big interceptions.

The Tigers have put together a potent rushing attack. Jack Hutchinson raced 60 yards for a touchdown, Brock Franklin had a 55-yard score and Hunter Sullivan doubled them up with runs of 51 and 15 yards.

Swami sees that the Hurons have all grit and grind to get the job done, while the Tigers will let their offense do a majority of the work. Both defenses have stepped up big time, but the real question remains, which team will blink first?

It may be only the third week of the season, but a win and going 3-0 gives one team a giant step forward in a shot at the postseason.

Swami Sez: Alcona 35, Rogers City 18.

AU GRES (0-2) at HILLMAN (2-0) – With each passing game Au Gres is putting up better numbers. Swami must say, it looks promising, but the Eagles are still looking for wins.

Hillman is on the other side of the ledger with two wins. The latest win came with ease and it was the Mason VanPamel show that paved the way. The wide receiver found himself open on five throws for 200 yards and four scores, as the Tigers whitewashed East Jordan. Defensively, they only allowed East Jordan 54 yards.

VanPamel was not the only player to have a big game as the likes of Ty Jones, Kenny Kolcan, Dylan Steinke, Sheldon Elkie, Travis Powers, and Josh Reinbold stepped up on offense. The defense, led by Jordan Mutchsler and David Julka, was hyped up.

The All-Knowing-One knows Au Gres will still get points, but not enough for a win. Hillman does not seem to have trouble scoring and their defense is strong too.

Swami Sez: Hillman 26, Au Gres 8.

ATLANTA (0-2) at MIO (0-2) – Atlanta hasn’t scored in the first two weeks, so what’s it going to be this week? Another zero? That is all together possible, but the Huskies’ offense must come up with a scheme to get into the end zone.

Mio is in the same boat being 0-2, but the Thunderbolts have scored 27 points against tough competition. The Thunderbolts’ defense is not where the squad would like it to be, but at least they have been in the games for a half.

Another drawback for the Huskies is the loss of an important receiver. That should give Mio’s defense a chance to blitz with their bigger athletes up front. So the All-Knowing-One thinks that if Atlanta could create the same types of holes, then they could pose problems for Mio. Swami has not seen that ability so far, that does not mean that it will not come, but not in this contest. Swami thinks the Thunderbolts have the offense to win, while the Huskies are looking for a good starting point.

Swami Sez: Mio 18, Atlanta 0.