Week six football predictions

St. Joseph-Ogden (4-1) at No. 8 St. Thomas More (5-0)

Last meeting: St. Thomas More def. SJ-O, 30-0 (Oct. 3, 2008).

Well first things first, St. Joseph-Ogden isn't losing this game 30-0 like they did last year. The Spartans weren't pleased with how they played in Gilman last week and I really think they'll want to avenge that performance with a big game Friday. The Sabers have been hot all season and didn't let a halftime deficit slow them down against Clifton Central last week, pitching a shut out in the second half to grab a 13-9 win. Both teams are 3-0 in the conference and tied for first, so Friday's winner will be two-thirds of the way to the Sangamon Valley Conference title.

I think SJ-O can win this game, but they can't let the mistakes that have plagued them this year show up against the Sabers. The Spartans overwhelmed Iroquois West last week with their talent and size, but still missed their fair share of blocks and defensive assignments. That can't happen against St. Thomas More. The SJ-O defense needs to be in the right place every play. When they do that, they don't give up any yards.

St. Joseph-Ogden 20, No. 8 St. Thomas More 7.

No. 4 St. Teresa (5-0) at No. 5 Unity (5-0)

Last meeting: St. Teresa def. Unity, 25-20 (Oct. 3, 2008).

This should be a fantastic battle between two ranked teams for supremacy in the Okaw Valley black division. The Rockets and Bulldogs are the only undefeated teams left in the Okaw, and the team that comes out of this game with the W should be overwhelming favorites to finish the season with the conference title. Unity has lost to St. Teresa each of the last two years, but the Rockets have the bigger, stronger, faster and more-experienced squad in 2009. St. Teresa's offensive line is one of the area's best, but their skills players come up short when compared to the Rockets.

The one thing Unity has to do in this game is control the clock. Everything I've heard and read about St. Teresa says the longer they have the ball, the more likely they are to break a team. Unity has to force them into punting situations and create turnovers. They can't let that Bulldogs' offense get revved up and rolling on long-scoring drives. If Unity can keep St. Teresa possessions to six plays or less, they should have the edge in the game.

No. 5 Unity 27, No. 4. St. Teresa 21.