Manny’s Football Picks: Week 0: (08/21/19)
Aside from being the official source for Student Sections in Southern California, we also follow football.
Last season, yours truly picked 20 of the best games in Southern California from Week 00 to the CIF State Finals.
We started last week and I went undefeated! Granted, it was three games, but I don’t have to put my foot in my mouth, not this week.
Last season, I went 234-91-2. Not bad, right?
The goal this year is to have fans partake in this. So far we have not met that goal, but maybe soon we will have a fan or three put their picks in here soon.
Let’s see if I can stay undefeated. I doubt it, but here are my picks;
MANNY’S GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week Record: 3-0
2018 Record: 234-91-2
MANNY’S INLAND EMPIRE GAMES OF THE WEEK
La Habra at No. 20 Upland, Thursday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Upland
Upland is starting a new era with Darryl Thomas taking over as the Scots new coach. He has superstar LB Justin Flowe, but they have a tough task in trying to stop DB/WR Clark Phillips. If Flowe needs help somehow, he always has LB Tyevin Ford to come to the Scots aide. There can be only one Highlander and it’s once again Upland, but it will close.
Paloma Valley of Menifee at Norte Vista of Riverside, Thursday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Norte Vista
The Braves return a lot this season. RB Eddie Allain and WR Christian Jurado should lead an experienced Norte Vista offense to victory over RB Jalen Rembert and the Paloma Valley offense.
Roosevelt of Eastvale at Rancho Cucamonga, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Rancho Cucamonga
The Mustangs always have a great set of wide receivers every year. This years core is led by Kenzel Lawler, but Roosevelt runs into QB CJ Stroud, WR Jaylen Dixon-Veal and the Cougars offense. Rancho Cucamonga takes a big season opening win.
Heritage of Menifee at Etiwanda, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Heritage
RB/DB Kenny Teter and the Patriots will look to get a season opening win against a Etiwands team that looks loaded for 2019. Heritage gets the win out the season gate.
Chino Hills at Ayala of Chino Hills, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Ayala
Ayala looks to get past LB Tucker Belville and the Huskies. Ayala takes the city rivalry in the opening week.
MANNY’S LOS ANGELES GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week LA Record: 2-0
No. 9 Oaks Christian of Westlake Village at Chaminade of West Hills, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Oaks Christian
WR Bryce Farrellis now the man on the Lions offense with the loss of some huge pieces to graduation. LB Mister Williams will lead the defense and with a name like that, he should. RB/DB Blake Sullivan will look to keep Chaminade on the right route, but this looks like a rebuilding year for the Eagles. Oaks Christian takes this season opening rivalry.
No. 11 Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth at Westlake of Westlake Village, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Sierra Canyon
The Trailblazers will look blaze a trail with their offense in QB Chayden Peery and RB Hunter Williams. QB Marco Siederman has am equally great offense, but Sierra Canyon shall take this.
Eisenhower of Rialto vs. South Hills of West Covina at Covina District Field, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: South Hills
The Huskies are coming off an amazing season. The better news is that they return some big pieces like RB Juaquin Elliott and WR Thonye Charles. Eisenhower is coming off an amazing turnaround and with WR Dayvon Benton back, Eisenhower shouldn’t miss a step. Challenging South Hills is a big step. South Hills wins, but Eisenhower should improve on this game.
Mission Hills of San Marcos at Palos Verdes of Palos Verdes Estates, Friday, 3pm
Manny’s Pick: Palos Verdes
Palos Verdes meets one of San Diego best to start the 2019 season. WR Julian Alessi and DL Tusi Adams will look to get a win over WR Quinton Hadnot and the Grizzlies. Sea Kings get a big win.
Eagle Rock of Los Angeles at South Gate, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Eagle Rock
The Eagles are losing some big pieces, mainly on offense, but FS Axel Ayers and LB Alan Cisneros are back on the Eagle Rock defense and they should handle South Gate in the most competitive CIF-Los Angeles City Section game this week.
MANNY’S ORANGE COUNTY GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week OC Record: 1-0
No. 3 Centennial of Corona vs. No. 1 Mater Dei of Santa Ana at Santa Ana Stadium, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Mater Dei
What a great way to start the 2019 season. Two of the best teams in the west coast open the season. The Monarchs look to start coach Bruce Rollinson final season on the right foot. With QB Bryce Young heavily protected by OL Myles Murao. Mater Dei offense could be well matched with WR Gary Bryant Jr. and the Huskies. Mater Dei gets a big win in the opening week.
No. 10 Corona del Mar of Newport Beach vs. Downey at Newport Harbor of Newport Beach, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Corona del Mar
This looks to be the Sea Kings best team ever. The CdM offense, led by QB Ethan Garbers and WR John Humphreys should get a big win over Downey, which lost some big pieces, but have DL Anthony Lopez, which will try to stop Garbers and the Sea Kings offense. Sea Kings win and will get a big boost from their student section, the Kings Krew.
Los Alamitos at Torrey Pines of San Diego, Friday, 7:15pm
Manny’s Pick: Los Alamitos
The Griffins head on the road to start the 2019 season to face a Torrey Pines team that losses a lot of starters, but they do have The Chaos in the stands, as well as DT Marco Notarainni. Los Al is used to rowdy student sections as they have one of their own in Los Locos. Despite the noise going against them, QB Cade McConnell returns for Los Alamitos and DE Giovanni DeLeon will shut down a young Falcons offense. The Griffins take the win.
San Juan Hills of San Juan Capistrano vs. Orange Lutheran at Orange Coast College of Costa Mesa, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Orange Lutheran
The Lancers are losing a lot, which is never good when you’re in the Trinity League. OLu does return some key defensive stars like LB duo Ethan Howard and Jonah Laban. Having a good defense will be helpful with WR Joey Hobert back for the Stallions. Orange Lutheran gets the win.
Katella of Anaheim at Valencia of Placentia, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Valencia
The Knights are facing the toughest non-league opponent in awhile. Perhaps because they need a challenge for a team that is losing several key players. LB Nate Lopez will look to lead Katella, but Valencia has RB Elijah Oropeza and QB Shaun McHale back. The duo should lead Valencia to victory.
MANNY’S SAN DIEGO GAMES OF THE WEEK
La Costa Canyon of Carlsbad at No. 8 Cathedral Catholic of San Diego, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Cathedral Catholic
The Dons open the season at home, which is helpful with their student section, Los Locos, at their side. LB Jordan Allen will look to lead the Cathedral Catholic defense while QB DJ Ralph will battle against Austin Nicholas and the Mavericks defense. The Dons get the victory.
Cajon of San Bernardino at No. 15 Helix of La Mesa, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Helix
The Cowboys begin the post-Jaylen Daniels era with the same winning spirit with WR Larenzo McMillian back. It may be too much with RB Eleyon Noa back. If the Cajon offense doesn’t skip a beat, Helix has DB Delshawn Traylor to put them to a stop. Helix still gets the win.
Eastlake of Chula Vista at Steele Canyon of Spring Valley, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Eastlake
This should be a fun offensive battle. Eastlake returns QB Richard Colmenero III, which is good news for WR Darius De Los Reyes. The Cougars will have the upper hand in the running game with RB William Neely III. I’m going with Eastlake in this one.
Hart of Newhall at Carlsbad, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Carlsbad
When I did a preseason rankings, I may have thought of the 2019 Carlsbad squad as an inexperienced squad. I should just stick to student section, but where the fun in that? Anyway, WR Cole Wright will look to get more touches this season for the Lancers while LB Kyle Vassau will look to keep QB Zach Johnson and Hart at bay. Carlsbad gets a big win over a talented Indians squad.
Madison of San Diego at Rancho Bernardo of San Diego, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Madison
Rancho Bernardo will have new starters in almost all positions, but they do return QB Noah Morris. This is a challenge that won’t be as bad as many think as the Broncos have a perfect schedule this season. Madison has a returning quarterback of their own in Brock White, who will connect to RB Ke’ontae Springs. The Warhawks get the win.
