Manny’s First Round Football Picks (11/07/19)

MANNY’S GAMES OF THE WEEK

Last Week Record: 17-3

2019 Record: 166-56-1

17-3 last week as we head to the playoffs. 

I’m getting better at this as the season nears.

Now the playoffs are unpredictable and I know I made playoff predictions already, but I might as well continue this and see if I can keep the winning streak going.

Of course, I need to make amends to the three teams I disrespected by picking against them.

Rancho Cucamonga – I should know this by now. If I pick Upland to win, they will lose. If I pick them to lose, they will win. I picked Upland in this one and Rancho Cucamonga…well, if that’s the case, the Cougars should be sending me a gift card to Blaze Pizza or something. But, I did pick against them as they won 47-28…wow I wasn’t even close. My bad.

Jurupa Hills of Fontana – I am still on the hype train from last season CIF-SS Championship season from Eisenhower of Rialto, which means I didn’t put much faith in Jurupa Hills. 41-21 Jurupa Hills. I’m buying hype stock on Jurupa Hills.

Parker of San Diego – I kept thinking of La Jolla Country Day run in State a few years ago and I may have thought it too much, but this one was closer than the other two games. 58-50 Parker. I’m sure Parker is cool with this. 

Anyway, here’s my picks. Enjoy.

MANNY’S INLAND EMPIRE GAMES OF THE WEEK

Last Week IE Record: 3-2

Overall IE Record: 41-14

Serra of Gardena (6-4) at No. 19 Rancho Verde of Moreno Valley (9-1), Friday, 7:30pm

Manny’s Pick: Rancho Verde

I can’t quite figure out Serra. One win they underachieve, the next week they do what they do best. I think there will be no room for error when Serra runs into QB AJ Duffy and the Mustangs offense. Rancho Verde wins.

Murrieta Valley (8-2) at No. 20 Rancho Cucamonga (7-3), Friday, 7:30pm

Manny’s Pick: Rancho Cucamonga

The Cougars are riding high momentum at the perfect time. QB CJ Stroud will keep Rancho Cucamonga in the win column as they advance.

Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks (6-4) at Vista Murrieta (7-3), Friday, 7pm 

Manny’s Pick: Vista Murrieta

The Broncos have a tough one in round one with a Mission League team, but DT Landon Gallagher and the defense should handle Notre Dame. Vista Murrieta for the win.

Apple Valley (9-1) at San Jacinto (8-2), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: San Jacinto

This looks like an awesome matchup. LB Roman Garcia will look to keep on sacking to the quarterfinals. San Jacinto wins.

Oak Hills of Hesperia (4-6) at Aquinas of San Bernardino (8-2), Friday, 7pm  

Manny’s Pick: Aquinas

The Falcons face an Oak Hills team that has some playoff experience, but Aquinas can run the ball and can stop the run too with DL Sione Lolohea on the other side. Aquinas with the win.

MANNY’S LOS ANGELES GAMES OF THE WEEK

Last Week LA Record: 5-0

Overall LA Record: 38-18-1

No. 18 Alemany of Mission Hills (7-2) at Paraclete of Lancaster (6-4), Friday, 7pm 

Manny’s Pick: Alemany

The Warriors will now bring their Mission League experience with them in the postseason, which is bad news for Paraclete. RB Floyd Chalk will lead Alemany to victory.

Chaparral of Temecula (7-3) vs. Hart of Newhall (6-4) at College of Canyons of Santa Clarita, Friday, 7pm 

Manny’s Pick: Hart

Like every Southwestern League member, I couldn’t figure out Chaparral. I don’t I’ll get to either with QB Zach Johnson throws the rock through the air all night. Hart gets the win.

Los Altos of Hacienda Heights (8-2) at St. Margaret’s of San Juan Capistrano (9-1), Friday, 7:30pm  

Manny’s Pick: Los Altos

This is going to be a tough one for the Conquerors. St. Margaret’s is a tough team, but LB Orellius Visaya and the Los Altos defense should conquer their opponent. Los Altos wins a big one.

Downey (4-6) at La Mirada (7-3), Friday, 7:30pm 

Manny’s Pick: La Mirada

It is starting to look like La Mirada glory days are back and with RB Thasseus Dixon running the ball, those days will continue. La Mirada takes the win.

Locke of Los Angeles (6-4) at Granada Hills (5-4), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Granada Hills

The Highlanders are mainly a run team, so while Locke will try to stop the run game, DB Ethan Grant will look to keep Granada Hills on pace. I’ll go with Granada Hills.

MANNY’S ORANGE COUNTY GAMES OF THE WEEK

Last Week OC Record: 5-0

Overall OC Record: 48-8

Orange Lutheran (5-5) vs. Long Beach Poly (7-3) at Veterans Stadium of Long Beach, Friday, 7pm 

Manny’s Pick: Orange Lutheran

The Trinity League may have been tough on the Lancers, but it is going to benefit them in the playoffs. LB Tayber Tomanek will look to stop the Long Beach Poly offense. Orange Lutheran gets the win.

Los Alamitos (4-6) at Lawndale (8-2), Friday, 7:30pm   

Manny’s Pick: Los Alamitos

There has to be at least one Upset Special in Round One! Well, here it is! I’m going with QB Cade McConnell and the Los Alamitos Griffins in an Upset Special.

Sunny Hills of Fullerton (8-2) vs. Tustin (5-5) at Buena Park, Friday, 7pm  

Manny’s Pick: Sunny Hills

I feel like the Lancers might have the best road to a CIF-SS Title. In order to make that happen, RB Jun Ahn will have to outrun Tustin RB Matt Rodriguez. Sunny Hills advances.

Lakewood (4-6) at Brea Olinda (6-4), Friday, 7pm  

Manny’s Pick: Brea Olinda

The Wildcats run into a coach that has won CIF-SS title in his days in Orange County. That’s Scott Meyer, who won a few CIF title at Corona del Mar of Newport Beach. In order to prevent Coach Meyer from winning another title, LB Eugene Kim will have to shutdown the Lakewood offense. Brea Olinda moves on.

Summit of Fontana (8-2) vs. Katella of Anaheim (9-1) at Glover Stadium of Anaheim, Friday, 7pm 

Manny’s Pick: Katella

An 8-2 team shouldn’t run into an 9-1 team in the first round, but here we are. A tough matchup means RB Miles Poland will look to go heavy on the run. Katella with the win.

MANNY’S SAN DIEGO GAMES OF THE WEEK

Last Week SD Record: 4-1

Overall SD Record: 39-16

Torrey Pines of San Diego (4-6) at Rancho Bernardo of San Diego (7-3), Friday, 7pm 

Manny’s Pick: Rancho Bernardo

This hasn’t been the typical season for Torrey Pines like it was the last few seasons. LB Nick Blanchard will look to continue the Falcons woes as Rancho Bernardo wins.

San Marcos (4-6) at Grossmont of El Cajon (7-3), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Grossmont

With QB Jaime Odom at the helm, the Foothillers should keep their foot on the gas pedal. Grossmont takes the DUB.

Otay Ranch of Chula Vista (4-6) vs. Christian of El Cajon (5-5) at Granite Hills of El Cajon, Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Otay Ranch

While Otay Ranch record doesn’t look appetizing, LB Aiden Arguilla will prove your doubts wrong. Otay Ranch defense should stop Christian as they advance

Kearny of San Diego (5-5) at Brawley (7-3), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Kearny

Kearny has faced a tougher schedule than Brawley Therefore, RB Nico Estrada should lead the Komets to a first round victory.

Del Norte of San Diego (2-8) at Henry of San Diego (5-5), Friday, 7pm 

Manny’s Pick: Henry

The Patriots will be going to the air in the opening round and when you have the arm of QB Matt Castillo, you can’t blame them! Henry survives and advances.