Week six football predictions

St. Thomas More (3-2) at St. Joseph-Ogden (3-2), 7 p.m. Friday.

Last meeting: St. Thomas More def. St. Joseph-Ogden, 20-19 (Oct. 2, 2009).

This could be an enormous win for SJ-O — if the Spartans can get it. The Spartans and Sabers come into this game with identical 3-2 records looking to make a major climb toward the playoffs. The winner of this game will move to 4-2 and most assuredly grab a postseason berth. At 3-3, the loser will be in a tight spot. Both of these teams can get into the playoffs at 5-4 due to their playoff points, but no one wants to be in that position.

For SJ-O to win this game, the Spartans need to dominate the line of scrimmage. The STM defense is fast but can't tackle, so if SJ-O's line can give its running backs room to run, the Spartans will score points. On the defensive side of the ball, the Spartans need to shut down the middle of the field and force the Sabers to the outside. SJ-O can't allow Friday's game to become a shootout, not as a one-dimensional offensive team. Lock down the lines, and SJ-O will lock up a win.

St. Joseph-Ogden 26, St. Thomas More 22.

No. 4 Unity (4-1) at No. 8 St. Teresa (4-1), 7 p.m. Friday.

Last meeting: Unity def. St. Teresa, 33-14 (Oct. 2, 2009).

This one will be a battle. Two power running teams going at it for OVC black supremacy and staying in contention for the OVC crown. This game could go either way. Both teams have shown the ability to score and each squad has significantly improved their defense in the past season. The key to this game, like most close games, will be turnovers. Unity has forced a lot in their four wins, but they were negative three in their week four loss to Tuscola.

If Unity takes care of the ball, it will be able to score. The Rockets won't score 61 like last week, but they will find the end zone. The Rockets' attack is too versatile and too experienced to get completely shut down by the Bulldogs. It will be interesting to see if St. Teresa can do the same. The Bulldogs' offense isn't as diverse as Unity's, but it's been scoring a lot of points for a long time.

No. 4 Unity 28, No. 8 St. Teresa 17.

Arthur-Lovington (0-5) at East Central (1-4), 7 p.m. Friday.

Last meeting: Arthur-Lovington def. East Central, 33-6 (Oct. 9, 2009).

The Panthers have an excellent chance to win this game. East Central has had a rough year, that's obvious, but the Panthers still have some talent on their sideline. For as much as the Panthers have struggled, Arthur-Lovington has struggled even more. The Knights can barely field a team, and have several less active players than East Central. For the first time all season, the Panthers enter a game with a significant depth advantage.

That could be huge in a game between two stumbling teams. Technically the Panthers still have postseason hope. They haven't lost five games yet, so as long as they keep winning they can stay in contention. A-L is done, and is playing out the string. I don't think the season is going to miraculously turn around in this game for the Panthers, but I think they could postpone their inevitable elimination.

East Central 26, Arthur-Lovington 14.