Manny’s Picks: Week 4
A 16-4 record. That’s a slight improvement.
I was expecting or perhaps hoping that Redlands East Valley would get their first win of the season, but it seems that Heritage of Menifee was not ready to give them the first win. I wasn’t close as the Patriots won 33-10. Sorry for doubting you.
Meanwhile, I thought Alemany of Mission Hills wasn’t ready quite yet for a program like Oaks Christian of Westlake Village. Yeah, it looks like Alemany is going to make it’s way to the top nationally as they dismantled the Lions 44-7. Another one sided victory that I didn’t pick.
I thought Oxnard would take the win over Camarillo and I almost got that one right, but Camarillo won by one. Both teams looked pretty even on paper and apparently on the field.
Meanwhile in Orange County, another 5-0 record. Let’s move along.
Now in San Diego, Cathedral Catholic seemed like a safe bet with a pair of huge wins, but Helix of La Mesa not only defeated a hot Dons team, but won by 18. Not bad and bravo!
I have a feeling I might get past the 16 win mark!
MANNY’S GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week Record: 16-4
2019 Record: 63-20
MANNY’S INLAND EMPIRE GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week IE Record: 4-1
Overall IE Record: 15-5
Long Beach Poly (1-2) vs. No. 9 Centennial of Corona (2-2) at Veterans Stadium of Long Beach, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Centennial
If the Jackrabbits can shut down WR Gary Bryant Jr., they will still find a problem as the running game, led by Nick Floyd. A big test for DB Aaron Smith for Long Beach Poly! Huskies win!
Temecula Valley (3-0) at San Jacinto (2-2), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Temecula Valley
Temecula Valley linebacker duo Anson Pulsipher and Brandon Wilson will look to shut down Tigers running back star Kajiya Hollawayne. If they limit him under his average, Temecula Valley will stay alive!
Los Osos of Rancho Cucamonga (4-0) at Kaiser of Fontana (4-0), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Los Osos
In the battle of the unbeatens, Los Osos LB Aiden Clinton job will be to stop Cats RB Gabe Ortiz. QB Donovan Smith will need a big game for the Grizzlies. Los Osos goes undefeated as Baseline League begins next week!
Rancho Cucamonga (2-2) at Westlake of Westlake Village (1-3), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Rancho Cucamonga
QB CJ Stroud is a beast through the air, but Westlake has beast of their own that catches anything in the air in WR Carson Kuhl. Hopefully for the Cougars, DT Esaia Bogar will look to prevent anything happening in the passing game. Rancho Cucamonga wins.
Santiago of Corona (1-2) at Chaparral of Temecula (3-0), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Chaparral
If all goes as plan, this will be a running game for both teams. Santiago RB Calin Marshall will look to out run Pumas running duo in QB Brock White and RB Matt Majel. Chaparral gets a big win.
MANNY’S LOS ANGELES GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week LA Record: 3-2
Overall LA Record: 16-6
No. 5 Serra of Gardena (3-0) at No. 4 Narbonne of Harbor City (3-1), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Narbonne
This is a very evenly matched game. Gauchos QB Jacob Garcia will look to handle the offense and DB Kymani Green will make sure that Serra RB Jaylon Armstead doesn’t do the same. Narbonne wins a close one.
Loyola of Los Angeles (1-2) at Valencia (2-1), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Valencia
The Vikings are hoping for a big game from QB Ryan Morrison. Loyola RB Tahj Owens will look to have a big game as well and with Valencia DB Jake Santos being the key guy on defense, it could happen as Santos is great with the pass game. I’m still going with Valencia in this one.
Chaminade of West Hills (2-2) at Oxnard (3-1), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Chaminade
One team is looking to bounce back from a loss while the other team looks to build off their victory. Eagles QB Jaylen Henderson and RB Will Camacho plan to lead the offense against Oxnard RB Xavier Harris. Chaminade builds their way to another win.
Grant of Van Nuys (2-2) at Arleta (3-1), Friday, 3:30pm
Manny’s Pick: Grant
While RB James Ochoa is the man for Arleta, I have to go with Grant in this one in what could for the East Valley League Championship.
Canoga Park (4-0) at Reseda (2-2), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Canoga Park
The winner will probably end up being San Fernando top contender for the Valley Mission League title. I’m going with Canoga Park advancing for the opportunity for first place.
MANNY’S ORANGE COUNTY GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week OC Record: 5-0
Overall OC Record: 18-3
No. 11 Calabasas (3-1) at No. 6 JSerra of San Juan Capistrano (3-1), Friday, 7:30pm
Manny’s Pick: JSerra
After Coyotes QB Jaden Casey shut down an Orange County power in La Habra, JSerra will look to not be the next victim. RB Chris Street will control the running and hopefully it will open up some space for QB General Booty. The Lions roar to victory.
Villa Park (1-2) vs. No. 19 Servite of Anaheim (2-1) at Orange Coast College of Costa Mesa, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Servite
Servite will be looking for revenge. QB Noah Fifita will keep going to his go-to WR Zedakiah Centers. If the Friars defense can stop Villa Park RB Anthony Hakai, then revenge will be served. Credo! Servite wins.
Edison of Huntington Beach (3-1) at San Clemente (4-0), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: San Clemente
The Tritons will look to bring the city spirits back up after a few knuckleheads dragged the city down with some inappropriate comments. San Clemente defense will look to stop the Chargers offense with LB Caiden Robertson and DB Cole Batson leading the way. Edison LB Payton Valentine will look to do the same thing, but I’m going to go with San Clemente with a much needed win for the school and community.
Orange Lutheran (2-2) at Vista Murrieta (2-1), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Orange Lutheran
The Lancers head to the road for a final tune up before Trinity League play. Freshman quarterback Carson Conklin hasn’t shown any nerves and it helps when you have a running back in Cooper Vander Hill. If Vander Hill can avoid Vista Murrieta LB Damien Otero, then OLu should get another win.
San Juan Hills of San Juan Capistrano (2-2) at Tesoro of Rancho Santa Margarita (4-0), 7pm
Manny’s Pick: San Juan Hills
This will be Tesoro tough test so far this season. RB Zach Wran will look to keep the Titans undefeated, but QB Hudson Jones will keep connecting to WR Joey Hobert and if they have a lead, they will make sure to hold it. The Stallions win.
MANNY’S SAN DIEGO GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week SD Record: 4-1
Overall SD Record: 14-6
No. 7 Helix of La Mesa (2-1) vs. No. 13 St. Augustine of San Diego (4-0) at Mesa College of San Diego, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Helix
The win over Cathedral Catholic last week was big for the Highlanders. RB Elelyon Noa will keep pounding the ball on the ground for Helix, but the Saints have a runner of their own in Bryon Cardwell. Noa and the Scots will keep the momentum going, Helix wins.
San Marcos (1-2, 0-1) at Carlsbad (3-1, 1-0), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Carlsbad
The Lancers look to stay on top in the Avocado League and WR Cole Wright will look to avoid tackle happy LB Nick Tiefer and the San Marcos defense. DB DJ Young will look to keep Carlsbad defense in tip-top shape as they take another league win.
Steele Canyon of Spring Valley (3-0) at Otay Ranch of Chula Vista (2-2), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Steele Canyon
This could be a defensive battle if LB Aiden Arguilla and the Otay Ranch defense can match the defense of the Cougars. DB Chance Johnson and LB Cameron Ewert should lead Steele Canyon to another win.
Christian of El Cajon (2-2) vs. Central (El Centro, CA) at Granite Hills of El Cajon (2-2), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Central
Central will look for a final tuneup before Imperial Valley League begins next week. Spartans WR Michael Sullivan will look to run past DB Enzo Spinali and the Christian defense. LB Joseph Denton will lead Central to victory.
Hilltop of Chula Vista (4-0) at Morse of San Diego (2-1), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Morse
QB Javin Deanda will look to keep Hilltop undefeated, but he will look to stay away from LB Francisco Martinez and the Tigers defense. RB Michael Cunningham will hand the Lancers first loss. Morse for the win.