Week eight football predictions

St. Joseph-Ogden (5-2) at Orion (3-4), 3 p.m. Saturday.

Last meeting: None on record.

One more win. That's all it will take for SJ-O to clinch its 20th consecutive playoff berth. SJ-O hit a snag earlier this season with consecutive losses in weeks three and four, but the Spartans have rebounded nicely and are streaking toward a 7-2 finish. SJ-O went 7-2 last year and earned a first-round home game. If the Spartans can finish with an identical record this year, another first-round home game is a distinct possibility. But, the Spartans won't get to 7-2 without another test. Orion is a lot better than most 3-4 teams.

The Chargers opened the season with high hopes coming off a 10-2 season last fall. Things started well with some early wins before injuries decimated their lineup and sunk them to four quick losses. Now they have their backs up against the wall, needing wins in week eight and nine to return to the postseason.  And the Chargers just got back their starting quarterback and tailback from injuries, so their offense is much improved. SJ-O will need to be ready for the Chargers best shot. I think the Spartans will be.

St. Joseph-Ogden 34, Orion 20.

Clinton (2-5) at No. 3 Unity (6-1), 7 p.m. Friday.

Last meeting: Unity def. Clinton, 46-6 (Oct. 16, 2009).

The last two weeks have been tight wins for Unity. The Rockets have picked up consecutive wins on game-winning field goals by Cody Payne, and could very easily be 4-3 instead of 6-1. But luckily for the Rockets, they aren't. They do have a playoff-clinching six wins, they are on top in the OVC black and they do have an inside track at an 8-1 finish. Sure the last two wins haven't been pretty, but there's no reason the Rockets should dwell on that. Unity needs to learn from what its went through the past two weeks and keep getting better.

Clinton gives the Rockets a great chance to do that. The Maroons are better than they were last year, but Clinton is still far from a playoff team. The Maroons can throw the ball but can't really pass block, and their rushing attack is flawed by a lack of a premier back to handle 20-plus carries a game. The Rockets need a pick-me-up, and this is their chance. Hopefully Unity comes out focused and really works on correcting the mistakes they made against St. Teresa and Monticello. It would be nice to see the Rockets hit the playoffs going strong.

No. 3 Unity 42, Clinton 13.

East Central (3-4) at Tri-County (6-1), 7 p.m. Friday

Last meeting: Tri-County def. East Central, 38-7 (Oct. 23, 2009).

For the third week in a row, East Central heads into a game needing a win to keep its faint playoff hopes alive. The Panthers are 2-0 in their last two must-wins, but this week's game against Tri-County is easily the toughest of the three. The Titans are the second best team in the LOVC and have a chance to make some noise in the Class 1A playoffs. East Central is a team simply trying to get in, while the Titans are playing for seeding and a first-round home game.

East Central can't turn the ball over or be victim to any unforced mistakes to win this game. The Panthers have the players to put some points on the board against Tri-County. If their offense plays smart and does that, this can be a very close game. Tri-County's offense isn't dominant, so the Panthers' defense can keep them in the game. It all comes down to how much the Panthers can score. They'll need to step it up.

Tri-County 28, East Central 16.