Week nine football predictions

Paxton-Buckley-Loda (3-5) at St. Joseph-Ogden (6-2), 7 p.m. Friday.

Last meeting: St. Joseph-Ogden def. PBL, 36-20 (Oct. 23, 2009).

The Spartans are playing for a week ten home game in their final regular season action of the year. PBL comes in on a four-game losing streak. The Panthers were officially eliminated from playoff contention last week and will not have a winning season. Earlier in the year this game looked like a potential playoff battle, now it's a little one-sided. The Spartans are playing at a very high level right now. PBL will be hard pressed to match it.

SJ-O is going to be favored in this game and it should be. PBL will put up a fight like Orion did last week, but eventually I expect the Spartans' talent and offensive firepower to be too much for the Panthers. The Spartans were 6-2 and were inn the exact same position last year against the Panthers and went to Paxton and won. Playing at home this Friday, I think there's no reason for us not to expect the same.

St. Joseph-Ogden 41, PBL 14.

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

Last meeting: Unity def. Shelbyville, 40-6 (Oct. 23, 2009).

Unity will probably open the first round of the playoffs at home anyway, but a win Friday on the road will guarantee the Rockets an opening round game in Tolono. Shelbyville has struggled massively this year, so the Rockets have an excellent chance to pick up a quick win Friday and head into the postseason at 8-1. The Rockets' starters will probably only play a fraction of the game, and when the result is no longer in doubt, expect the Rockets' JV to see the field.

Shelbyville hasn't been able to stop anyone all season. Unity will probably score on a lot of possessions Friday and most drives shouldn't take long. My biggest concern for the Rockets from an X's and O's standpoint is their defense. Unity's D played well during the regular season last year but tired in the postseason. This year's group has played even better than the 2009 unit. Let's hope they can maintain their current level of intensity starting in week ten.

No. 3 Unity 48, Shelbyville 7.

South Piatt (3-5) at East Central (3-5), 7 p.m. Friday.

Last meeting: South Piatt def. East Central, 34-12 (Sept. 11, 2009).

This game is for pride for East Central and South Piatt. Neither team is making the playoffs, so ending the season with a win is the best reward for this season they can earn. The Panthers gave it a valiant run with wins in weeks six and seven to keep their playoff hopes alive. Last week's loss to Tri-County was a disappointing one, there's no doubt, but let's face, the Titans were a much better team.

South Piatt is much better than their 3-5 record, but the Wildcats aren't Tri-County. South Piatt has three blowout wins and several close losses. The Wildcats have scored 31 points for than they've allowed, and they've lost their last four games by a combined 18 points. East Central will need to play well to beat this team. The Wildcats aren't consistent at all, but they're talented. If East Central isn't focused the Wildcats could be very tough.

South Piatt 34, East Central 19.