Manny’s Football Pick’s: Week 1

Going 15-5 last week is impressive for me, but I must give my reason for picking five games wrong.

I tinkered with my picks and one of them went the wrong way. I was going with No. 18 La Habra over Upland, but changed it. I was sold on Justin Flowe of Upland and he did his job, but La Habra took the win.

I was hoping for Heritage to bounce back in their 2017 form, but Etiwanda is off to a great start in the Nick Baiz era.

Los Alamitos lost some piece, but I thought they would have enough against Torrey Pines, but I wasn’t even close. The Falcons handled.

I know Valencia lost a big piece at running back last year, but Katella lost more. Despite that, it was a big win for Katella.

I keep buying on Eastlake, but I should have given Steele Canyon more love.

To the five teams I picked to lose, sorry. My bad.

Let’s see who I will pick and eventually apologize to the ones I didn’t. I’m not perfect.

MANNY’S GAMES OF THE WEEK

Last Week Record: 15-5

2019 Record: 18-5

 

MANNY’S INLAND EMPIRE GAMES OF THE WEEK

Last Week IE Record: 3-2

Orange Lutheran (1-0) at No. 5 Centennial of Corona (0-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Centennial

After not doing much against the top dawg in the Trinity League, the Huskies look to bounce back against another Trinity League power. RB Nick Floyd starred for Centennial on offense last week and will get some help, including on defense with LB Josaiah Tanielu. He’ll have to stop OLu RB Cooper Vander Hill. Centennial gets their first win.

 

Dorsey of Los Angeles (0-1) at Los Osos of Rancho Cucamonga (1-0), Thursday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Los Osos

After getting a season opening win, Los Osos looks to get a win against an LA City Section program that is used to winning. QB Donovan Smith will look to top his performance from last week with help from freshman RB Solomon Davis. Grizzlies gets the win over Dorsey.

 

Rancho Verde of Moreno Valley (1-0) at Santiago of Corona (0-0), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Rancho Verde

The Mustangs will look to go 2-0 after a strong showing from sophomore QB AJ Duffy. Add his performance and RB Jordan Jefferson, it might be a hard start for SS Ryan Williams and the Santiago defense. Rancho Verde gets another win.

 

Vista Murrieta (0-0) vs. Los Alamitos (0-1) at Cerritos College of Norwalk, Friday, 7pm   

Manny’s Pick: Vista Murrieta

After a tough loss to Torrey Pines of San Diego, Los Al will look to get a win from a team in the Inland Empire. Griffins QB Cade McConnell has a tough task with Safety duo Tyreese Shakir and Hunter Escorcia. While Los Locos will control their home game from the stands, Vista Murrieta gets the win.

 

Glendora (1-0) vs. Roosevelt of Eastvale (0-1) at Citrus College of Glendora, Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Glendora

After taking a tough loss to Rancho Cucamonga, the Mustangs will look to bounce back against Glendora. Roosevelt DT Treverran Mack will look to shut RB Zxavier Ford and the Tartans offense. With LB Hunter Helfin on defense, Glendora with go 2-0.

 

MANNY’S LOS ANGELES GAMES OF THE WEEK

Last Week LA Record: 5-0

Current 2019 LA Record: 7-0

No. 4 Calabasas (1-0) at No. 12 Rancho Cucamonga (1-0), Thursday 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Calabasas

I always go with Coyotes QB Jaden Casey to WR Johnny Wilson connection, but QB CJ Stroud is going to keep the ball rolling or throwing through the air for Rancho Cucamonga. With the Rancho Rooters beside them, it might be close, but I’m going with Calabasas.

 

No. 15 Grace Brethren of Simi Valley (1-0) at No. 9 Oaks Christian of Westlake Village (1-0), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Oaks Christian

This is a tough one to choose. Lions QB Jameson Wang can throw and run the ball. LB Dylan Divito will look for another big performance for Oaks Christian as he looks to stop RB Josh Henderson and the Lancers. Lions get another win.

 

No. 11 Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth (1-0) vs. No. 20 Lawndale (0-0) at Pierce College of Woodland Hills, Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Sierra Canyon

RB JD Sumlin and the Trailblazers offense will look to give the Cardinals their season opening loss, but QB Jalon Daniels will look for a different outcome. WR DJ Harvey will lead Sierra Canyon to victory.

 

Bishop Amat of La Puente (1-0) at Paramount (1-0), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Bishop Amat

This young Lancers squad will look to get an impressive win over Paramount. Bishop Amat QB Aiden Sanchez won’t have too much to do with RB Damien Moore behind him. Pirates QB Kingston Hala will look for another game in the air. Bishop Amat gets another dub.

 

Mission Hills of San Marcos (0-1) at Westlake of Westlake Village (0-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Westlake 

Both teams are looking to bounce back from tough season opening losses. Warriors QB Marco Siderman will look for his go-to guy, WR Carson Kuhl. Westlake takes the victory.

 

MANNY’S ORANGE COUNTY GAMES OF THE WEEK

Last Week OC Record: 3-2

Current 2019 OC Record: 4-2

Villa Park (0-0) vs. No. 1 Mater Dei of Santa Ana (1-0) at Santa Ana Stadium, Saturday, 7:30pm

Manny’s Pick: Mater Dei

After the Monarchs dismantled Centennial of Corona, they will look to make it another one sided affair with Villa Park. QB Bryce Young looks like he may be the best quarterback in Mater Dei history. He’ll look for WR CJ Williams. This will be too much for QB Josh Stupin and the Spartans. Mater Dei wins big.

 

Santa Margarita of Rancho Santa Margarita (1-0) vs. No. 8 Mission Viejo (1-0) at Trabuco Hills of Mission Viejo, Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Mission Viejo

After getting a win in Hawaii, the Diablo head back to Mission Viejo to face an Eagles team that is also coming off a win. QB Peter Costelli will look to connect to WR Josh Welles while Santa Margarita RB Nick Barcelos aims to handle Mission Viejo. Mission Viejo wins in what could be a student section battle with the Santa Margarita Eagles Nest and the Mission Viejo Diablo Inferno.

 

Orange (0-0) at Garden Grove (0-0), Thursday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Orange

The Panthers return eight players on offense, including QB Daylen Pedroza and RB Isaac Galvan. They face a Garden Grove team that loses some key players from last season. Orange will take advantage and get the win.

 

Capistrano Valley of Mission Viejo (1-0) at San Juan Hills of San Juan Capistrano (0-1), Friday, 7pm 

Manny’s Pick: San Juan Hills

All Stallions QB Hudson Jones has to do is throw to WR Joey Hobert. Hobert can do anything, including play strong safety. It could be bad news for WR Brady Kasper and the Cougars. San Juan Hills gets the win. I’m also excited to see the Capo Valley Cage and the San Juan Hills Stampede.

 

Foothill (Santa Ana (1-0) at Tustin (0-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Tustin

The Crosstown Rivalry Trophy is on the line in this one. Tustin won this last year and after coming close to beating Capistrano Valley of Mission Viejo last week. The Tillers defense will be put to work with DE Ernesto Nava and DT Lashawn Hye against WR Gabe Gallardo and the Foothill offense. Tustin wins this rivalry and so will the Tustin Barn against the Foothill Dungeon.

 

MANNY’S SAN DIEGO GAMES OF THE WEEK

Last Week SD Record: 4-1

Saguaro of Scottsdale, Arizona (1-0) at No. 7 Cathedral Catholic of San Diego (1-0), Saturday, 7:30pm

Manny’s Pick: Saguaro

The Dons are taking a big challenge and face one of the best teams in Arizona. RB Zavien Watson will look to give Cathedral Catholic a big win, but with LB McCade Siegel and DE Tristian Monday leading the Sabercats, it mat be a tough task. Saguaro heads back to Scottsdale as winners.

 

No. 14 St. Augustine of San Diego (1-0) at Eastlake of Chula Vista (0-1), 7pm

Manny’s Pick: St. Augustine

After taking a tough loss to Steele Canyon, it doesn’t easier in facing St. Augustine. RB Byron Cardwell will need another big game for the Saints with help from WR Sam Scaife IV. The tough non-league schedule will help Eastlake come Metro-Mesa League time, but for now the Saints win. 

 

Torrey Pines of San Diego (1-0) at San Clemente (1-0), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Torrey Pines

After handling Los Alamitos easily last week, Torrey Pines face another Orange County team. QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi will look to connect to WR Griffen Wilson. If they can get past Tritons SS Cole Batson, Torrey Pines will get another win over an OC team.

 

Steele Canyon of Spring Valley (1-0) at Madison of San Diego (1-0), Friday, 6:30pm

Manny’s Pick: Steele Canyon

The Cougars look for another win and will also look for a good showing from their experienced defense, led by SS Chance Johnson and LB Cameron Ewert. Meanwhile, Madison will look for LB Sam Owens to possibly make this a low scoring affair. Steele Canyon will be my pick this week.

 

Vista (1-0) at La Costa Canyon of Carlsbad (0-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: La Costa Canyon

The Mavericks offense will look to lead their team to their first win with QB Marshall Eucker going to WR Trevor Gonzales. RB Desmond Taua will say otherwise for Vista. La Costa Canyon gets their first win.