Week four football predictions

St. Joseph-Ogden (2-1) at Clifton Central (2-1), 7 p.m. Friday.

Last meeting: St. Joseph-Ogden def. Clifton Central, 37-9 (Sept. 18, 2009).

What was already a big game got even bigger last week with St. Joseph-Ogden's 19-18 loss to Momence. Now the Spartans are a game back in the Sangamon Valley Conference race and heading into the toughest portion of their season without their starting and second-string quarterbacks. That's not a good place to be. The Spartans can't afford to fall two games back in a six-game conference race, and a 2-2 record puts them on the outside of the playoffs looking in through four weeks.

I still think the Spartans have a good team, but if they're expected to play the rest of their season with their third-string quarterback, they're going to need to win games differently than they did in weeks one and two. It's doubtful new quarterback Louis Acklin will come in and pull a Tom Brady for the Spartans' offense. They aren't going to suddenly get better. SJ-O is going to rely more on its running game, all-state tailback Jake Bock and its defensive unit.

The Spartans are up against the wall today, but I think they'll come out fighting. There is a lot of talent on this team, even if they're down two quarterbacks.

St. Joseph-Ogden 22, Clifton Central 20.

No. 3 Unity (3-0) at No. 1 Tuscola (3-0), 7 p.m. Friday.

Last meeting: Unity def. Tuscola, 22-13 (Sept. 18, 2009).

This will be an epic, knock-down drag-out brawl that comes down to the final minute ... Or, one team will win by 30. I don't see it going any other way. Tuscola is the unanimous No. 1 team in Class 1A and Unity is ranked third in 3A. Both teams have explosive offenses, and Tuscola's four-wide spread is operating as well as it has in three years. Unity is once again running all over the field behind a mammoth offensive line, throwing the ball on occasion with quick strikes and play action.

The key to this game is defenses. Last year Unity's defense played one of its best games of the season in helping the Rockets take down the Warriors; keeping Unity undefeated in spite of a rough offensive night. I think Tuscola's defense had more horses in 2009 than it has in 2010. I think Unity has more horses now than it had 365 days ago. I think that gives the Rockets the edge. But it's a slight edge.

No. 3 Unity 27, No. 1 Tuscola 23.

Arcola (2-1) at East Central (1-2), 7 p.m. Friday.

Last meeting: Arcola def. East Central, 41-6 (Sept. 25, 2009).

East Central needs this game. Badly. The Panthers are coming off back-to-back beatdowns and need to get on the right track. Arcola's offense hasn't shown an ability to score all season, so the Panthers should be in a close game. My question is, can their defense respond?

East Central needs to come out and play well defensively. The Panthers have to keep the Purple Riders within their sights, making them drives long distances to score and keeping them from easy touchdowns. East Central can't rally back if it falls behind by 21 early, Arcola's defense is too good. The Panthers need to stay close and competitive through the early portion of the game, then try to win it in the fourth quarter. I'm giving Arcola the edge, but East Central can win this game.

Arcola 22, East Central 12.