Area teams crack preseason rankings

CHAMPAIGN — The optimism surrounding the Unity and St. Joseph-Ogden football teams this season apparently isn't limited to Champaign county. The Rockets and Spartans were announced as the No. 4 and No. 5-ranked teams in the IHSA pre-season football poll released by the Associated Press Tuesday.

Both teams enter this fall with high hopes after playoff seasons in 2009, and the two school remain in the hunt for their first state championship. The Rockets fell in the state title game for the third time last year when they were defeated 52-22 to Stillman Valley.  SJ-O lost in the second round last November, and is 0-4 in state title games in school history.

Stillman Valley is ranked in the Class 4A poll entering this season, though the Cardinals enrollment on the IHSA Web site shows they should remain a 3A team. The rest of the poll is as follows (first-place votes in parentheses): 

AP Class 3A Pre-season poll

1. Illini West (5) 101

2. Wilmington (5) 85

3. St. Teresa 76

4. Unity (1) 75

5. St. Joseph-Ogden 59

6. Greenville (1) 46

7. Nashville 43

8. Auburn 40

9. Monticello 23

10. Mount Carmel 22

Others receiving votes: Hillsboro 17, Elmhurst Immaculate Conception 15, DuQuoin 11, Winnebago 11, Red Bud 10, Williamsville 9, Sherrard 7, Sesser-Valier 4, Carterville 3, Oregon 3.

The Okaw and Sangamon Valley Conferences were well represented throughout the polls. As shown in the 3A poll, the OVC's black division has three representatives. The conference also has Maroa-Forsyth (2nd) in the 2A poll and Tuscola (1st-unanimous) and Central A&M (4th) in the Class 1A poll. The Trojans finished second in 2A last year, while the Warriors are looking to defend their 1A crown.

Clifton Central is ranked fifth in 2A out of the Sangamon Valley. Last season's champion St. Thomas More did not make the rankings. The Sabers could be a 3A or 4A school this year.

Week one football predictions

CHAMPAIGN — Are we ready for some football? We better be, the wait is over. The first week of the 2010 season starts Friday and for area schools Unity and St. Joseph-Ogden, it starts with high hopes. The Rockets and Spartans enter this week as the No. 4 and No. 5-ranked teams in Class 3A, and both will take on ranked 1A opponents in their first games.

This week is also a big one at Heritage, where the East Central Panthers will kick off with a home game against Milford. The Panthers were just 2-7 in 2009, and hope to improve on that this fall. Winning Friday would be a good start.

No. 5 St. Joseph-Ogden at No. 10 LeRoy

Last meeting: LeRoy [Co-op] def. St. Joseph-Ogden, 18-14 (Oct. 5, 2001).

SJ-O will hit the road for its opener against an old friend and classic rival. The Spartans and Panthers were in the Sangamon Illini Conference together nearly a decade ago, and regularly battled for the league's overall crown. The Panthers were bigger then, they used to Co-op with Tri-Valley, but even now as a 1A school their tradition remains strong.

Both teams went 8-3 in 2009. These school know the value of getting off to a good start. SJ-O coach Dick Duval said last week he remembers the Spartans' battles with LeRoy as some of the most physical games his teams have played. Friday will probably be the same.

The SJ-O defensive backfield enters the game as the biggest question mark. If the Panthers can move the ball in the air, they could pose a threat. If they keep it on the ground, the Spartans' front eight will swallow them up. I think the Spartans find a way to score enough touchdowns to win.

St. Joseph-Ogden 33, LeRoy 12.

No. 4 Central A&M at No. 4 Unity

Last meeting: Unity def. Central A&M, 26-20 (Aug. 28, 2009).

This game will also be a hard-hitting doozy. The Raiders gave Unity one of its toughest challenges all season last year in week one in a six-point loss. Tied in the fourth quarter, Unity needed a long passing touchdown late to grab the lead and hold on.

Both teams moved on to the playoffs in 2009, and as the No. 4-ranked teams in their respective classes, they hope to do so again this fall. Unity has a serious advantage on the offensive and defensive lines, but the Raiders are a tough, physical team and one of the Okaw's best tackling defenses. On offense, A&M isn't fancy, but their Wing-T still moves the ball.

Unity will need to come to play with the Raiders. Central A&M has talent in its backfield and the Raiders will probably spring a long run or two. Unity will need to respond in kind. I think both teams will score points. Turnovers will be key. If the Rockets keep the ball off the turf, I think they have the edge.

Unity 38, Central A&M 22.

Milford at East Central

Last meeting: Milford def. East Central, 35-7 (Sept. 4, 2009).

This is a tricky first game for East Central second-year head coach Alex Partenheimer and the Panthers. Milford had a great team last season and figures to be a playoff team again. The Panthers aspire to do the same, but it won't be easy. East Central has a tough schedule this year in the Little Okaw Valley and they will be pushed every week.

Opening with a win would be huge, but even in a loss, if the Panthers can show improvement from last season's score that will be big. For a building program, yearly improvement is a must.

I think the Panthers keep this game close. I don't know if they have the horses to topple Milford, but I think they can stay with them. And if things break right, who knows. Anything can happen on a Friday night.

Milford 30, East Central 15.