Week three football predictions

Momence (1-1) at No. 4 St. Joseph-Ogden (2-0), 7 p.m. Friday.
Last meeting: St. Joseph-Ogden def. Momence, 47-0 (Sept. 11, 2009).

I don't think this game goes down the way last year's did in Momence. The Redskins are much improved, and enter this season with considerably less turmoil than they had in 2009. Momence has relied on a powerful defense through the season's first two games, losing last week in overtime on a missed extra point. The Redskins couldn't stop anyone last fall, so it's good to see they're back to being competitive.

Even with their improved defense I still think Momence is a hefty underdog in this game. SJ-O played one of it's best halves of football in years in the second half against Carterville last week, and the Spartans' offense has rung up 11 touchdowns through two games. SJ-O is going to spread the field and move the ball, it will be up to the Redskins' offense to keep up with them. I don't know if they can. Momence has skill players, just not enough overall offensive talent.

No. 4 St. Joseph-Ogden 30, Momence 7.

Warrensburg-Latham (0-2) at No. 3 Unity (2-0), 7 p.m. Friday.
Last meeting: Unity def. Warrensburg-Latham, 45-12 (Sept. 11, 2009).

This thing could get ugly. And fast. Warrensburg-Latham has been outscored 70-7 in the first two weeks of the season and Unity has scored 72 points. The Rockets ran all over Central A&M in week one and Argenta-Oreana last week, and both of those teams had better defenses than the Cardinals. Warrensburg-Latham's coach was suspended after the team's week one loss, so the team is playing with an interim head coach for the rest of the season.

Against a Unity team with this much firepower, I think that's a recipe for disaster. The Rockets are going to score a lot of points this week, and unless they get caught looking -- no, openly staring -- ahead that week four bout with Tuscola, they will roll the Cardinals. Warrensburg just doesn't have it this year.

No. 3 Unity 52, Warrensburg-Latham 6.

East Central (1-1) at Villa Grove (2-0), 7 p.m. Friday.
Last meeting: Villa Grove def. East Central, 62-24 (Sept. 18, 2009).

I think East Central is better this year than they were last year. I haven't seen them, but my third-hand sources think the Panthers are improving. The team has a coaching staff that knows what it's doing, and in time they should have this program turned around. I really think East Central is on the way up. Win this game and we'll be able to see it.

Unfortunately, winning this game won't be easy. The Blue Devils are the class of the Little Okaw Valley and should roll through their conference season. Depending on the strength of the Arcola and Tri-County programs, there is a chance Villa Grove could run the table this year. Can East Central beat them? Of course. Is it likely? I really don't think so.

Villa Grove 41, East Central 13.