Week two football predictions

St. Joseph-Ogden (1-0) at No. 5 Stillman Valley (1-0)

Last meeting: Stillman Valley def. SJ-O, 44-25 (Sept. 5, 2008).

After playing with a small but controlled lead in week one against Robinson, the Spartans will have their work out out for them in week two with the Cardinals. Stillman Valley is an offensive juggernaut, and the Cardinals hung 42 on perennial power Spring Valley Hall in a shut-out victory in last week.

The Spartans' will need to play mistake free football Friday to have a chance. The offense won't be able to turn the ball over and miss third-and-short conversions, while the defense has to plug the leaks up the middle of their run defense. Is the game winnable? Sure. Is it expected? Not really.

No. 5 Stillman Valley 35, St. Joseph-Ogden 19.

Argenta-Oreana (1-0) at No. 6 Unity (1-0)

Last meeting: None on record.

This will be the first meeting for these teams since the Rockets entered the Okaw Valley in 2007. Though they've been close to meeting the playoffs before (both squads lost to Meridian in consecutive weeks in the 1999 postseason) they've never actually met. I think the unknown factor in Friday's game should make it a good one. 

The Rockets escaped Moweaqua last week with a six-point win while the Bombers pounded the always-down Sullivan. I think the Bombers should be ready for a much closer game this week. Unity is bigger and tougher than anything A-O sees on a regular basis, and the Rockets' new offensive sets should give them fits. I think the Bombers are on the rise and should stay in the game, but I don't think they have much chance to win it.

No. 6 Unity 42, Argenta-Oreana 20.