There is always a premonition for every situation. That must have been the story behind Swami starting his column a week early.

He thought he had the perfect opening for yet another football season and had material gathered for each of the four games he was going to pick. Swami finished up his well-written column and hit save. Or so he thought. Going back later to add some more information, Swami found his column had not saved and only the headline was there on the page so the rest of the article was floating in cyberspace.

The All-Knowing-One learned his lesson: type, print, then save. Time would run out if he had to go through the same exercise one more time.

With the opening of high school football, Swami is hoping that area coaches have drafted up plans for a successful season. Let’s see if the All-Knowing-One can do the same.

ESCANABA (0-0) at ALPENA (0-0) – Thursday- Fans can look at Alpena’s season two ways this year: it could be a rebuilding year or it could be a clean slate. Swami prefers the clean slate.

Alpena coach Aaron Sims is in his first year, so there is no rebuilding in his mindset. The Wildcats have new schemes on offense and defenses and some new faces, but the All-Knowing-One is not convinced it will rebuilding process. The Wildcats will go with a wing-T on offense, something that is very familiar to Swami.

With the offense, there has been changes in positions. One is that Trevor Roznowski has moved to tight end. Swami says that will be a blessing for the offense. His main responsibility will be receiver. Quarterback Lars MacArthur, back for his second year at the helm, will have a big frame to throw to. Plus Roznowski will be able to use his lineman instincts to block, helping players in the backfield.

Escanaba sticks to what works and will probably run more instead of passing like last year. Agiainst the Eskymos last year, the Wildcats were set up for the run and Alpena put itself in a hole. The All-Knowing-One knows this season the Wildcats will be ready for anything. It will be nice to get off to a 1-0 start, and that is what the Wildcats are capable of.

Swami Sez: Alpena 24, Escanaba 21.

ATLANTA (0-0) at GAYLORD ST. MARY (0-0) – Thursday – It seems like Atlanta has been in a rebuilding stage for sometime, but it wasn’t that along ago that the Huskies were in the playoffs. Since Atlanta has struggled, this year coach Troy Cheedie is focusing on hard work and senior leadership to turn the program in a positive direction.

St. Mary is looking to do the same, even though the Snowbirds did have some success last season. Finishing at 3-6, they are faced with breaking in a new quarterback, but the backfield is set. Leading the way at fullback is Josh Nowicki while Cal Gilling, Liam Beningo and Eamon Curran will share reps at half back.

Swami has to say things are looking up for the Snowbirds. If he had to pick a dark horse in the new Northern Michigan Football League’s Legacy Division, it would be the Snowbirds. Here is his reasoning: they are an improved team in player personnel and have a favorable schedule in the first half of the season. The All-Knowing-One says they could be pushing playoff aspirations come the second half of the season.

Swami Sez: Gaylord St. Mary 28, Atlanta 7.

PELLSTON (0-0) at ONAWAY (0-0) – Friday- Both teams are hoping for better things to come out of their second year of 8-man football. Onaway got the best of Pellston last year. So the Hornets are looking for revenge, after being on the losing end of one-sided loss. Swami says the Hornets will have to make great strides before the game. The All-Knowing-One is looking at another long season for Pellston as its only salvation came in the seventh week a year ago.

The Cardinals stood on the threshold of the playoffs last year, but they don’t want to leave anything to chance this time. So a fast start is critical for a Cardinals playoff run.

Pellston is attempting to turn things around too. The Hornets’ lack of success has been tough and no matter what kind of team you are, it’s hard to build on a one-win season.

The All-Knowing- One has seen one play change the complexion of an 8-man football game. There is no cushion on defense and dynamic playmakers can be trouble. With that in mind, Swami thinks the Cardinals have a better chance of blowing through Pellston’s defense.

Swami Sez: Onaway 32, Pellston 16.

POTTERVILLE (0-0) at OSCODA (0-0) – Saturday- Before Swami gets into the particulars of the game, he wonders why would anybody travel this far up north to play football? The only thing he can think of is it’s one of last get away weekends before school starts.

Potterville had been making small gains in their football program until last season when they finished at 2-7. Coach Doug Blattner is hoping that is all in the past. He is pleased with the turnover, and can not get over the speed this team possesses. The Vikings have been working harder at getting quicker and feel they can turn the corner with team speed.

Regardless of how quick they are, adapting to an entire new offense and defense from last season seems to be slowing down that quickness. Another deterrent has been the loss of skilled players through graduation. The All-Knowing-One knows in order to win, the Vikings must cut down on mental errors and adversity.

Oscoda may not be in circumstances as the Vikings, but there has been a change from last year’s playoff season. Mark Whitley has taken over the reigns after serving as an assistant for the last few years.

The Owls motto this year is ‘Fast and Physical,’ but that doesn’t mean they will be as quick as the Vikings. It does mean that they want to be in top condition so when the game is hanging in the balance, they can pull away for a win. The numbers for the Owls are high and they’re eager to get started.

Swami Sez: Oscoda 42, Potterville 21.