Son of Swami
Son of Swami will be missing in action this weekend, but forget about sending out a search party.
For only the third time in his 47 years at the Free Press, SOS will be skipping a football weekend — because he has a doubleheader wedding weekend.
The first wedding is in Detroit and involves former Allen Park Cabrini all-stater Dan (Stud Jr.) Harrison, who is taking the plunge with Kate Brink.
SOS knew there was something he liked about Kate when Stud Jr. told him they were picking out games for the Tigers package and she spotted a game and exclaimed: “That’s Polish-American Night! My family always dances at that!”
It looks like Stud Jr. is about to land another Polish Princess, just like the lovely and talented Mrs. SOS. An intervention may be required.
For wedding No. 2, SOS is off to Pittsburgh, where former Warren De La Salle all-stater Ryan (Anfernee) Dempsey is marrying Jamie Edmonds, easily the most attractive sports anchor at Local 4 — although Bernie Smilovitz is protesting that ruling.
The amazing aspect of the weekend is that Ryan’s father, Mike (No Show) Dempsey, is allowing the wedding to take place during the football season.
One of the top football officials in North America, not to mention Michigan, No Show apparently is blowing off Friday’s rehearsal dinner in order to officiate a high school game in the Pittsburgh Catholic League.
In fact, SOS has learned exclusively that No Show wanted to schedule the wedding for early Saturday morning, so if the marriage doesn’t work out he can officiate an afternoon game, too.
But SOS is certain both marriages will work out perfectly and all involved will live happily ever after … for six months. Tops.
While SOS will be busy, here are the state’s top games this weekend:
Ottawa Lake Whiteford (7-0) at Sand Creek (7-0), 7 Friday. Whiteford has beaten Sand Creek four straight times, and the closest was last season’s 34-point win. Whiteford’s Jessie Kiefer is a touchdown machine, but don’t overlook Conner Hoogendoorn. Making the Bobcats tougher is that Thomas Eitniear is a durable runner and passer. Sand Creek has a touchdown-maker of its own in sophomore Alec Muck. A White Ford 35, Sand Pebbles 34, OT.
Dearborn (6-1) at Dearborn Fordson (7-0), 7 Friday. This one should be a no-brainer, SOS’s specialty. Fordson is unbeaten and ranked No. 4 in Division 1, and QB Hamze Elzayat is having a sensational season, due in part to offensive coordinator Osama Abulhassan. But this is an incredible rivalry game. Dearborn two-way tackle Mustafa Khaleefah is a monster and does an excellent job protecting QB Mikey Phillips. Ford’s Son 21, Dearborn Sausage 17.
Berkley (5-2) at Bloomfield Hills (7-0), 7 Friday. With only one OAA Blue loss, Berkley can still tie for the conference title. That will be a chore, just like trying to find diminutive Bloomfield Hills RB Derek Lynch, who races around the field like a water bug. If Berkley can stop the running game, it still has to contend with QB John Paddock, who can pick apart a defense. If the Bears can’t do that, Bloomfield Hills will win its first conference title in school history. Bloomberg News 38, Bruce Flowers High 26.
Menominee (7-0) at DeWitt (6-1), 7 Friday. This is the second game in this home-and-home series. Now it is the Maroons turn to get in the bus and drive … and drive … and drive, another example of two good programs that have to search for games because some coaches are afraid to schedule a game they could actually lose. These programs fear no one. SOS has it on good authority that Millie Hofer stopped by Menominee’s practice to give some tips on how to run the single wing. My Nominee 39, DeWhat 36.
Detroit King (5-1) vs. Detroit East English Village (4-3) at Northwestern, 2:30 Saturday. As the All-Knowing One pointed out last week, East English Village always gives King fits — and that is what happened when King had to rally in the fourth quarter to pull out a 45-37 win. East English QB Delvin Washington scorched the King secondary for 325 yards. Look for King’s defense to have a better day this time, and the same goes for King QB Dequan Finn. King of Wishful Thinking 26, It Takes a Village 18.