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Swami hoping for clear weather

Swami is beginning to show his age, but he still has a great memory.

As the snow came down on Thursday evening, he thought back to a day from 50 years ago when a blizzard hit the area. It was enough to cancel a Friday football game at Mich-e-ke-wis Park and volunteers with snow shovels, small utility tractors with brushes in the front and front end loaders cleared the snow and piled it up around the facility. Long story short, the game was played the next day.

Hopefully the snow won’t cancel tonight’s playoff games. The players are ready and so are the fans and Swami. So let the games begin.

MARION (6-3) at HILLMAN (8-1)–Friday–Marion needed a two-game win streak plus a forfeit to make the playoffs. Hillman needed a win over Atlanta to host a playoff game. Now that both teams are in, this should be a fun game.

Last week,Gunner Mellingen made sure the Tigers were in good shape for the win, rushing for three touchdowns and bouncing back from injury. Hillman continued to find ways to score, running a double reverse pass as Sean Henigan found a wide open Nash Steinke to safely put the game in the win column. Hillman is hoping for better results then last year’s first playoff game, when Cedarville took advantage of the Tigers, while going on a deep playoff run.

The Eagles made it back to the .500 mark with a 24-16 win over Vestaburg in week eight and won by forfeit last week.

Brandon Stewart has a phenomenal year for Marion, averaging 150 yards and two touchdowns per game. Alex Sutton is also a very capable back, who can move the down markers at crucial points. The Eagles are not a two-dimensional back team though and Riley Moggo has great vision in finding holes in the defense.

Swami says the Tigers will need their home field advantage as this game will feature outstanding rushing games on both sides. Weather may play a factor with rain and snow and the team that can come up with the most stops on defense will advance.

Swami Sez: Hillman 45, Marion 26.

CEDARVILLE (5-4) at POSEN (6-3)–Friday–Two straight losses at the beginning of the season could have doomed the Vikings’ season. Instead Posen used them as motivation to make a push for a playoff spot.

Last Friday, the Vikings dismantled Atlanta with Tyler Hincka rushing for 313 yards and four touchdowns on 18 carries. Posen’s offensive line opened holes all night and Hincka easily set a new program rushing record with 2,009 single-season yards. Quarterback George Kroll was also instrumental in the win, completing both of his passing attempts for scores.

Cedarville returned to the playoffs despite a 54-20 loss to Engadine. This marks the 15th straight year the Trojans are in the playoffs and they’ve played some tough competition this season.

Cedarville has plenty of playmakers too. Quarterback Trey Paquin will use the pass to guide the Trojans down the field as he did in the Engadine game, completing 13 attempts for 206 yards and a score. Thomas Bohn led the receivers with 112 yards and had a rushing touchdown of 95 yards. Grant Fountain is also a versatile back, rushing for 85 yards and adding 56 rushing yards.

The All-Knowing-One believes this game could be deceiving. Posen is a good team, but the Trojans are better than their record.

Swami Sez: Cedarville 32, Posen 24.

MAYVILLE (6-3) at MIO (8-1)–Friday–The Thunderbolts returned to form after a loss to Gaylord St. Mary, thumping Hale 34-14. The win couldn’t have come at a more opportune time.

Quarterback Brendan Deflorio completed 17 passes for 293 yards. River Waisanen caught seven of them for 126 yards and two touchdowns. When Deflorio couldn’t find Waisanen, he went to Brennon Mills for six receptions for 89 yards and two scores. Pete Socia had an off night by his standards, rushing for only 90 yards.

The Wildcats were soundly defeated by Kingston and had to rely on head-to-head competition to make the playoff field. Everything goes through quarterback Austin Middleton when talking about Mayville’s offense. Middleton leads the Wildcats with 143 yards rushing per game and 100 yards passing per game. It’s easy to see why Middleton leads the Wildcats in scoring as well.

Mio has the advantage here in points per game, but this will be a very interesting game and the winner will not probably be known until waning moments of the contest.

Swami Sez: Mio 38, Mayville 32.

MCBAIN (5-4) at OSCODA (8-1)–Friday–Oscoda and McBain were not common opponents during the season, but both have played Houghton Lake. The Owls escaped with a 14-12 win, while the Ramblers lost 8-6.

The Ramblers have the ability to use different as many as four different quarterbacks, but the usual starter is Gavin Sieland. From what Swami can tell, McBain is a run-first team and then looks to pass if it gets open looks.

Don’t be fooled, McBain has plenty of running backs and wide receivers too. About the only thing that is standard for McBain is the offensive and defensive lines. The main cog on the field anytime is 6-foot-5 Ethan Barton. His presence will create problems for the Owls’ secondary.

Oscoda had an easy time against Gladstone, scoring six touchdowns. Quarterback Brayden Mallak aired it out for 137 yards and a touchdown to Robert Host. Andy Dault had an excellent game, finishing with 85 yards on the ground. Owen Franklin was used as a decoy, but Swami knows that might be what the Owls wanted in order to show off his talent tonight.

Swami Sez: Oscoda 35, McBain 21.

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