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Swami is short on words

This is a different postseason with everyone making the playoffs, so Swami isn’t going to waste words and will get right to the picks:

ALPENA (0-6) at MIDLAND (6-0)–7 p.m. Friday–The Wildcats get somewhat of a break, not having to face Traverse City Central for a second time. Instead they will travel to Midland. The Chemics have had the right potion for six straight wins, thanks to the offensive line that has dominated the opposition, including last week’s finale against Midland Dow. The Chemics run the ball down your throat with a physical style. Last week, they racked up 321 yards on offense with half of those coming from Drew Johnson and another 81 from Eli Gordon.

Once again, mistakes reared their head for Alpena. The Wildcats had two chances to take the lead and the game, but lost 14-6 to St. Johns instead. Charlie Williams was the only form of offense the Wildcats had, scoring from one yard out in the 13 play drive.

Alpena fights for everything they get both offensively and on defense, but it has not been enough to turn the tide. This week is another uphill battle.

Swami Sez: Midland 35, Alpena 7.

SAINT LOUIS (2-4) at OSCODA (6-0)–7 p.m. Friday–The Owls rolled through the regular season. Now it is time to see if they can duplicate it in the playoffs. Saint Louis’ only wins have come against some weak competition. Swami says they just do not stack up against upper level competition.

Oscoda either played down to the level of Houghton Lake last week, or they met some good competition. Drew Hess was the shining star in the 24-6 win with 56 receiving yards and nabbed an interception as Houghton Lake was driving.

The Owls’ offense is too diversified not to have a total offensive game plan in place. The defense has only been scored upon twice in the last two games. The Owls will turn it up a notch and chase the Sharks to deep water.

Swami Sez: Oscoda 40, Saint Louis 6.

ALCONA (0-5) at JOHANNESBURG-LEWISTON (6-0)–7 p.m. Friday–The Tigers have the tough task taking on the run-orientated Cardinals. Alcona has had difficulty scoring and the regular season finale was no different. Swami saw the majority of the offense came from Zach Stephenson rushing for 98 yards and passing for another 81. Stephenson attempted to shore up the defense too with 12 tackles and an interception.

Johannesburg-Lewiston has been running at will while racking up a 6-0 season. Cardinal running back Sheldon Huff has piled up numerous 100-yard games and multi-touchdown games as well. The trio of Huff, Logan May and Henry Baker have given control to the Cardinals in every game, with strength and speed. A surprise has been the play of quarterback Preston Marlatt, who has rounded out the backfield.

If the Tigers are going to make a paw print on the Cardinals, their defense will have to make its mark.

Swami Sez: Johannesburg-Lewiston 42, Alcona 12.

NEWBERRY (3-3) at ONAWAY (6-0)–2 pm Saturday–Newberry has the difficult task of slowing up the run orientated offense of the Cardinals.

The Indians have an equal run-pass ratio offense that keeps the defense on their toes. If the opposition gets a fast start, then the defense tends get back on their heels.

 Against Carney-Nadeau, Newberry was in coast mode in a one-sided win. Junior quarterback Connor Rintamaki threw three touchdown passes to Eric Edwards; Marco Juarez led the rushing game with 193 yards and Coleton Labadie added 101.

Points did not come easy for Onaway last week against Posen, but the offense was able to come out with a double-overtime win. Up to that game, Brendan Fenstermaker’s rushing ability bowled over the opposition, while Kevin Pearson had been able to find his targets with consistency. Swami has to give the Posen defense a thumb’s up as they gave it their all.

This week will be a different game, but the Cardinals will get back on track and move on.

Swami Sez: Onaway 28, Newberry 6.

HILLMAN (2-4) at ATLANTA (3-3)–7 p.m. Saturday–This game has to be the best matchup in terms of records, but both Hillman and Atlanta finished the season on a down note.

The Huskies fell behind early and never recovered in a loss to Pellston. Trace Juergens kept his touchdown production intact with two scores. That was about all Atlanta could conjure up offensively.

Hillman likewise took it on the chin against Gaylord St. Mary. Swami can say that the Tigers left it all on the field, only trailing 28-20 in the fourth before the flood gates opened up. Sean Henigan led the offense, rushing for 80 yards and a touchdown, Owen Mouton added another 72, recording a touchdown.

Swami Sez: Hillman 28, Atlanta 24.

POSEN (2-3) at HALE (5-0)–1 p.m Saturday–These two teams met in week five, with Hale taking a decisive win in Posen.

The Eagles tuned up for the postseason with a complete whitewashing of Charleton Heston. Thee were many players making the victory easy, but it was the play of Kevin Kessler that stood out. He rushed for 78 yards, including two touchdowns, then scooped up a fumble return for another score.

Posen had an outstanding night on defense, before it gave way in a 22-14 double overtime loss. Lucas Stone did almost everything to assure a win, rushing for 194 yards, two touchdowns and recorded 12 solo tackles. Ben Romel and Chase Dubie added help to the defense.

Swami feels the Vikings can produce the same defense, but the Eagles just have too many weapons to be slowed down.

Swami Sez: Hale 52, Posen 20.

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