Routines are easy to fall into and everyone has one whether it’s having a cup of coffee in the morning or getting up the same time every day. A lot of times, people are afraid to break from routines.

For the last 41 years, Swami has been a routine type of guy for Alpena High football, keeping stats. Some might say it is also time to let go of “Swami,” but he’s not ready to do that. Readers look forward to his column and he’s received many compliments over the years.

He just felt it was time to step away as it was beginning to take it’s toll, especially for road games. Sure, he will miss the camaraderie of the coaches and players and just stepping on the team charter. But there have always been pros and cons to doing it for so long and stepping away might give him time to attend some other football games in the area.

ALPENA (0-0) at ESCANABA (0-0) Friday – It is a familiar scenario for Alpena: take the longest bus ride of the year for the season opener. After arriving it takes a while to get everything moving and Swami says playing at home gives Escanaba an advantage.

Alpena’s rebuilding era started last season and the Wildcats hope to keep moving forward this season. Coach Aaron Sims was pointing to this game right after the final game last season. Conditioning and weight lifting were high on the agenda. Now it is time to see if it paid off.

The Wildcats offense will be the same, but it will be upgraded with a larger offensive line and more speed in the backfield. Sims will have the advantage of having his entire backfield back, led by quarterback Lars MacArthur and running backs Alex Arch and Logan Guthrie. Defensively, Alpena has bulked up in the interior of the line and added some needed depth in the secondary. In all, more than a dozen players are returning.

Will it be enough to take Alpena to the next level?

The Eskymos may have just picked the right year to do it, returning all 50 varsity players. With 26 seniors and 24 juniors, the hurt could be put on many of the opposing teams. The Eskymos are not lacking at any position.

Escanaba will have a different look this year too with a new helmet design, which includes a capital E, implanted in the center of an outline of the upper peninsula. Swami thinks the Eskymos wanted to assert their UP dominance with new look.

Escanaba has good numbers, but the Wildcats should have increased stamina after a busy summer working out. Alpena should be able to hang with anyone, but Escanaba pulls this one out.

Swami Sez: Escanaba 27, Alpena 21.

HILLMAN (0-0) at GAYLORD ST. MARY (0-0) Friday – Everything good has to come to an end sooner or later. This is the case for Hillman as the Tigers enter their final season of 11-man football. Going out on top is the goal of this year’s team; that means adding to their 11 year streak of going to the playoffs. A strong senior class will try to make that happen.

With the North Star League combined into one division, the competition will be a lot harder and Hillman’s seniors will have to lead the way.

The Snowbirds come into the season well prepared, having played a ton of 7-on-7s. Another advantage for St. Mary will be the schedule as it plays the first four games at home.

St. Mary may have a first year quarterback in Brady Hunter, who looked extremely calm in the 7-on-7 setting. Fullback Cal Gilling will be a key returnee and will help Hunter out if the game gets to him. Defensive specialist Liam Beningo and offensive lineman Ben Handley will anchor the defense.

The Snowbirds are poised to compete for the new Northern Michigan Football – Legacy title after graduating only three seniors. When St. Mary is not running the ball, it can get it to Drew Long. Brody Markovich and Alex Cherry will be counted on heavily to lug the pigskin in the backfield as well.

Swami says the game will be a battle after both teams went to the playoffs last season. The Tigers have more at stake, but the Snowbirds have more returners. So it is a difficult decision for the All-Knowing-One. Swami says this will be the best game of the evening.

Swami Sez: Gaylord St. Mary 24, Hillman 21.

AU GRES (0-0) at ROGERS CITY (0-0) – Friday- There is real optimism in Rogers City. Second year coach Cory Malocha is looking forward to Au Gres invading Huron country. Hopefully, Malocha will have the Hurons on the same level of excitement as he did when he played for the Orange and Black.

One factor not in the Hurons favor this season is the lack returnees from last year’s 4-5 season. Rogers City will only have a handful of players with varsity experience and graduated the majority of their backfield and some key defensive players.

Au Gres had an outstanding season last year and are looking to make noise again. The postseason was not as favorable though and the Wolverines ended the season at 7-3. Quarterback Caden Zeien will see if he can put on another dazzling rushing show in addition to showing off his strong arm. Shawn Byrd will be the main stay in the defensive secondary playing both free safety and one of the corners in a nickel defense.

Swami looks for a high scoring affair here. The Hurons will have to fix their miscues from last week’s scrimmage that left them flat. Playing at home should pump them up. For the Hurons to pick up the win, they must control both sides of the line of scrimmage. If Au Gres gets on track early, in could be a long night for the Black and Orange.

Swami Sez: Au Gres 22, Rogers City 13.

ONAWAY (0-0) at PELLSTON (0-0) – Friday-In last year’s 45-0 blowout, the Cardinals scored at will. Pellston on the other had trouble with the run and pass. Plus Pellston’s offense couldn’t move the ball against a stiff Onaway defense.

Could this year be the same result? Swami has to say there is a good chance.

Entering their third year of 8-man football, the Cardinals have grown accustomed to how the game is played. The All-Knowing-One says it is different then 11 man. So that’s why conditioning is so important. A well conditioned team can cover more ground with ease.

The Cardinals do have a good returning group and a lot of players should see plenty of playing time. At any given moment, a player could be inserted into the game. The All-Knowing-One says you have to be ready.

This is why Swami has to favor the Cardinals as they are more conditioned and in the proper mental state to make a valid push towards the postseason. With a push they could find themselves in the mix, not like the last two years of finishing just on the outside of the picture.

Swami Sez: Onaway 49, Pellston 7.