Week seven football predictions

St. Joseph-Ogden (4-2) at Watseka (1-5), 7 p.m. Friday.

Last meeting: St. Joseph-Ogden def. Watseka, 30-0 (Oct. 9, 2009).

After last week's win over St. Thomas More, the SJ-O football team is riding high entering this Friday's game at Watseka. SJ-O needs one more win to become playoff eligible and two to clinch its 20th straight berth. Watseka gives the Spartans a perfect chance to pick up No. 5. The Warriors lost several key players from last season's team to graduation in May and weren't able to fill their losses. This season has been a long one for the Warriors.

Pardon the cliche, SJ-O should "get off the bus running" against the Warriors. New quarterback Louis Acklin will probably get the chance to attempt 8 to 10 passes to stay sharp, but there will be no need for the Spartans to run any more. The Warriors aren't going to be able to stop the SJ-O running game. Tailbacks Jake Bock and Austin Allen should expect 15-20 carries a piece as the Spartans roll to their fifth win.

St. Joseph-Ogden 47, Watseka 7.

No. 3 Unity (5-1) at Monticello (4-2), 7 p.m. Friday.

Last meeting: Unity def. Monticello, 51-34 (Oct. 9, 2009).

A win in this game will give Unity an overwhelming edge in the race for the OVC black division title. The Rockets' last two opponents after Friday are 4-8, meaning a win here gives the Rockets an easy path to 8-1. The Sages have struggled this year, but have won enough games to put themselves in sight of another playoff berth. Monticello has Unity and St. Teresa over the next two weeks. The Sages need to beat one of the two to clinch a berth.

I don't know if Monticello can do that against Unity. The Sages were a passing offense last year in coach Cully Welter's new scheme, but they've been forced to run the ball without a viable arm in 2010. To put it bluntly, Unity stops the run. The Rockets haven't given up much on the ground all season and if St. Teresa and Tuscola couldn't run on them, Monticello probably won't. Well, not enough to win.

No. 3 Unity 37, Monticello 14.

Martinsville (1-5) at East Central (2-4), 7 p.m. Friday.

Last meeting: East Central def. Martinsville, 28-13 (Oct. 16, 2009).

Last week's win was big for the Panthers. With another win Friday, they could really make this season interesting. The Panthers have played two of the three best teams in the Little Okaw Valley in Villa Grove and Arcola. The next best team, Tri-County, is up next on the schedule in week eight. The chances are slim, but if East Central can beat Martinsville Friday the Panthers can still play their way into the playoffs.

And looking at the Blue Streaks, this week's game favors the Panthers. Martinsville hasn't been able to score much this season and their defense has routinely been gashed. The Panthers' D has been equally disappointing, but in most games, the Panthers have at least been able to move the ball. If East Central can avoid major turnovers issues, the Panthers can probably outscore Martinsville.

East Central 38, Martinsville 27.