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.