Just when you get started, it is time to close.

Swami is getting older with each passing day, and, the older he gets, he finds time passes all too quickly.

The same can be said of this year’s senior class. Four short years ago, you were just starting high school football, but, for many of you, tonight will be the last time you play.

To those who will continue in athletics, the best of luck to you. To others, Swami says wishing you well in the educational field.

With that said, let’s see if the All-Knowing One can go out on a high note.

ST. JOHNS (3-5) at ALPENA (1-7) , 7 p.m. TONIGHT — There is nothing else that can be said about Alpena outside of being snake-bitten for the entire season.

The Wildcats looked to be a determined team in the final two drives, only to come up empty in a 28-25 loss to Escanaba. It wasn’t for the lack of effort in both the rushing and passing game. The anemic offense that plagued the Wildcats in previous weeks came to life as quarterback Jake Zann completed 13 passes for 233 yards, while the ground game finished with 144. Yardage-wise, the game was one the best of the season, but it was two costly turnovers that made the difference.

On the defensive side, Alpena basically shut down the passing game of Escanaba, limiting them to 56 yards, with interceptions by Carter Stark, Johnny Rensberry, and Easton Srebnik. Alpena quickly marched down the field following the Stark interception, giving the Wildcats a 25-21 lead. It was the rushing of Noah Gagne that Alpena could not stop, going for 216 yards and three touchdowns.

With five losses, St. Johns should not be on the plus side for points scored, but, by some strange reason, they are. In the last two weeks, the Red Wings could have pulled out wins, but the offense decided to shut down in the critical situations. The Red Wings were only able to come up with a safety in a low-scoring affair with Onekama. The St. John defense should be able to be scored on, as they are giving up 28 points per game. In the short history between Alpena and St. Johns, the Red Wings hold a commanding 4-0 advantage.

Swami believes the Wildcats will be able to put the ball in the end zone. The only unanswered question: Will they be able to cross the line enough for the win?

Swami Sez: Alpena 21, St. Johns 20.

POSEN (7-0) at AU GRES (7-1), 7 p.m. TONIGHT — Only Au Gres stands between Posen’s attempt at a perfect regular season.

The Vikings are coming off a whitewashing of Atlanta. Au Gres wanted to take it out on someone following a loss to Alcona, and Onekama happened to be that team. The Wolverines broke an 8-8 tie in the first half and cruised to victory.

The Wolverines might have looked past Alcona, but they certainly will not in this season-ending game against the Vikings.

Posen has quickly put victories in the win column early and by a wide margin. In their latest win, they put 64 on the board for a season 386 points. Swami thinks it will be a different Wolverine team that will take the field, as they breezed through the first six games. Both teams are ranked in the latest Division 2 eight-man football, Posen at number four and Au Gres in the ninth position.

The Wolverines were missing some key players to injury, while others were playing banged up, but they still managed a 52-30 win. Cole Dewald had a great game, with 311 yards and three touchdowns. Carson Ososki did a yeoman’s job in his first varsity start, going nine of 13. Cole Pendred was a force on both sides of the ball, with 84 yards, in addition to making seven tackles and an interception and fumble recovery. The offense of Posen should be aware of the Wolverine defense, primarily in the defensive backfield, with Pendred leading in the interception department and with the help of Monty Wenkel and Carter Zeien. Au Gres is primarily a rushing team, alternating rushes between Dewald, Zeien, and Pendred.

Posen, as they have done all season long, ran out to an early lead and just kept building on it. The Vikings duo of Jack Romel and Ethan Romel made the rushing game go. The passing game was not needed, as the rush did most of the damage in the runaway game.

Swami Sez: Posen 42, AuGres 40.

WHITTEMORE-PRESCOTT (3-5) at ALCONA (7-1), 7 p.m. TONIGHT — Rain and cold did no favors to Whittemore-Prescott dropping a 24-0 contest to Mio. With a win, the Cardinals would have still been in the hunt for a playoff game. Now, their only hope is to play for pride.

Meanwhile, Alcona is looking to improve their ranking and a possible home playoff game after not being invited to the same last year.

Rogers City provided very little opposition to the powerful Tigers. Alcona has leaders in all categories statewide, quarterback Garrett Somers in touchdown passes, which goes hand-in-hand in receiving yardage with wide receivers Collin Walker and Jeremiah Bullis listed in the upper half. Defensively, Nathan Nardi and Travis Walker are rated in the interception department.

The combination of having some of the Cardinal key players out with injuries and the fact that Mio kept them deep in their own territory did not help, either. An indication that the Cardinals missed the starters were errant snaps that stopped drives with four miscues. Whittemore’s air attack was grounded on that night, leaving the Cardinals to resort to the rush. Christian Tocco with 87 yards, Eli Murphy with 34, and Aiden Bell rushed for 12 yards. With roughly 120 yards of total offense, Swami says it can be seen why the Cardinals were on the wrong end of the score.

The defense played as well as they could, being put in difficult situations with short field favoring the Thunderbolts. Murphy had nine tackles to lead the Cardinal defense, receiving help from Hunter Johnson, Bransen Bellville, Gavin Gratopp, and Adrian McDonald.

Given the background of both teams, Swami would have to say the Cardinals will have a difficult time coming up with a win.

Swami Sez: Alcona 38, Whittemore-Prescott 6.

CENTRAL LAKE (6-2) at ATLANTA (3-5), 7 pm. TONIGHT — Atlanta is looking for the upset and to end with a respectable season finish.

In order to accomplish that feat, the Huskies must be able to stop the rush. The losses for the Trojans were from ranked teams in eight-man football. Central Lake has been averaging over 300 yards of total offense per game, with two-thirds coming in the form of the rush. Quarterback Drayten Evans has a pass/run option hitting on all cylinders, as he can take the direct snap with two blockers out in front of him to open up holes, then pick his way down the sidelines and finish with a touchdown. Billy Hopp, Grant Miller, and Garrison Barrett have been Evans’ favorite targets. When the Trojans go on defense, the familiar names of Evans, Miller, and Mason Whisler have caused problems for offenses.

Atlanta’s Jace Cheedie has a 50% completion rate to go along with nine touchdowns. Sophomore Brett Culham is a quick learner and is the leading rusher with 827 yards. Landon Galea in the receiving department has accounted for half of the touchdowns. Looking at it from the offensive side, Swami says it looks like the Huskies can compete with anyone, as was the case in the loss to Posen, when they scored two TDs against a stingy Viking defense.

Swami Sez: Central Lake 40, Atlanta 8.