Manny’s Picks: Week 7 (10/08/19)
I bragged after I went 17-3 last week.
I jinxed myself. I went 12-8.
That’s the second time I went 12-8.
Let me make my amends to the eight teams and hopefully I can go 17-3 next week to continue this pattern.
I was four points away from getting Los Osos of Rancho Cucamonga right, but Etiwanda snuck by. It helps to have a student section like the Red Zone by your side.
I should have gone with the “To be the man, you got to beat the man” theory. I picked Xavier Prep of Palm Desert over Palm Springs. Palm Springs still rules the desert.
Speaking of being the man, while Alemany of Mission Hills is on fire, I should have gone with Bishop Amat of La Puente. Whoops on that!
I knew Loara of Anaheim lost key pieces from last year, but I felt Rancho Alamitos of Garden Grove lost more. I wrong on that one.
Also, being a homer can be dangerous, but I almost had the Canyon of Anaheim pick right, but Brea Olinda exploded in the second half. Hopefully my Alma Mater rebounds in the second half of the season.
Oceanside is improving, but it seems so has Mission Hills of San Marcos. Growl Crowd must have been pretty rowdy last week.
I didn’t do much research with Madison of San Diego. Looking now, I should have picked the Warhawks over Lincoln of San Diego.
El Camino of Oceanside has made improvements and I wasn’t sure if Rancho Bernardo was back or not. I guess they are.
Let’s see how many of these picks I get wrong this week.
MANNY’S GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week Record: 12-8
2019 Record: 104-39
MANNY’S INLAND EMPIRE GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week IE Record: 3-2
Overall IE Record: 25-10
Vista Murrieta (4-2) at Chaparral of Temecula (6-0), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Vista Murrieta
I saw the Broncos play last week. The Broncos defense handled Murrieta Mesa, but the penalty but was an issue. While Chaparral handled a big upset victory over Murrieta Valley, they will have a tough one with LB Damien Otero and the Broncos defense, especially if they cut back of foolish penalties. Vista Murrieta wins.
Glendora (6-0) vs Ayala of Chino Hills (6-0) at Citrus College of Glendora, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Ayala
The battle of unbeatens and most likely the Palomares League title. Both teams have played strong schedules, but I can’t ignore the Bulldogs ground attack. RB duo Jacob Badawi and Matt Munoz will keep Ayala undefeated.
Apple Valley (6-0) at Serrano of Phelan (6-0), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Serrano
Another battle of unbeatens, but this time it’s more than likely for the Mojave River League crown. Running back Wahkill Sullivan will lead Serrano to a 7-0 record.
Hillcrest of Riverside (4-2) at Norte Vista of Riverside (5-1), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Norte Vista
The two top teams in the River Valley League meetup in Week 7. Norte Vista has faced a more challenging schedule and plus the running game led by Eddie Allain should be enough to get the Braves the victory.
Linfield Christian of Temecula (5-1) at Ontario Christian (4-2), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Linfield Christian
Aquinas of San Bernardino is looking for their best competitor for the Ambassador League title. Both these teams are pretty even, but the Lions have DE Marshall Wiese. I’m going with Linfield Christian as Aquinas will be their next opponent.
MANNY’S LOS ANGELES GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week LA Record: 4-1
Overall LA Record: 25-12
No. 2 St. John Bosco of Bellflower (6-0) at No. 5 JSerra of San Juan Capistrano (6-0), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: St. John Bosco
After getting a wake up call in their one point victory over Servite of Anaheim last week, the Braves look to shake things off against JSerra. The Lions have a double threat at running back in Chris Street and Sammy Green. No matter who runs the ball, St. John Bosco QB DJ Uiagalelei will be ready. No scare this time, the Braves win.
No. 17 Lawndale (4-2) at Culver City (6-0), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Lawndale
The two best teams in the Ocean League bump into each other and it wouldn’t surprise anyone if Culver City wins this one. I’m going with the safe bet and go with DB Makell Esteen and the Cardinals.
Pacifica of Oxnard (6-0) at Oxnard (5-1), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Oxnard
The Pacific View League best two teams run into each other in week 7 and while Pacifica is undefeated through six games, Oxnard has faced some challenges thus far in the season. RB Xavier Harris will be ready for their biggest test in league. Yellowjackets win.
Valencia (3-3) vs Hart of Newhall (4-2) at College of Canyons of Santa Clarita, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Hart
It’s been awhile since Hart defeated their league rivals, but this might be the year that they do it. QB Zach Johnson will look to be the new favorite in the Foothill League with Hart getting past Valencia.
Cleveland of Reseda (4-2) at Birmingham of Van Nuys (2-4), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Birmingham
The Patriots have faced a very tough schedule, which is either a good thing or a bad thing. Hopefully QB Jackson Dadich takes the experience and leads Birmingham to a West Valley League victory.
MANNY’S ORANGE COUNTY GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week OC Record: 3-2
Overall OC Record: 30-6
Santa Margarita of Rancho Santa Margarita (3-3) vs. Orange Lutheran (3-3) at Trabuco Hills of Mission Viejo, Thursday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Orange Lutheran
The Eagles are a year away from being the strong team that this program has been used to. At some point of the season, I had Santa Margarita winning this, but RB Cooper Vander Hill and the Lancers have impressed me. Orange Lutheran gets a big Trinity League win.
Magnolia of Anaheim (4-2) vs. Katella of Anaheim (5-1) at Glover Stadium of Anaheim, Thursday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Katella
Like everyone else, I’m very impressed with Magnolia turn around season. The feel good story now plays against the Kings of the Orange League. While I want the good guys to win, QB Pharrell Scorza will remind everyone that the Knights are still the top dawgs in league. Katella wins, again.
Edison of Huntington Beach (4-2) vs. No. 10 Corona del Mar of Newport Beach (6-0) at Newport Harbor of Newport Beach, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Corona del Mar
The two top teams in the Sunset League meet at last. While this will be the best game in league, no one can stop QB Ethan Garbers and that insane Sea Kings offense. Corona del Mar takes another victory.
San Juan Hills of San Juan Capistrano (4-3) at Aliso Niguel of Aliso Viejo (5-1), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: San Juan Hills
The battle for the Sea View League title runs through the winner of this game and this will be a battle of the star wide receivers. I’m going with the Stallions receiver Joey Hobert over Aliso Niguel receiver Caleb Peterson. San Juan Hills takes the victory.
Northwood of Irvine (5-1) vs Woodbridge of Irvine (2-4) at Irvine, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Northwood
I came very close to picking Woodbridge, but it might be time for a new leader in the PCL. DT Xavier Cousar will lead Northwood to victory.
MANNY’S SAN DIEGO GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week SD Record: 2-3
Overall SD Record: 24-11
No. 14 St. Augustine of San Diego (5-1) at Lincoln of San Diego (4-2), Friday, 6:30pm
Manny’s Pick: St. Augustine
Everyone probably wants to see the Western League matchup next week with the Saints and Cathedral Catholic. In order for that to happen, DB Eavan Gibbons will need to lead St. Augustine to victory. Saints win to set up a big Holy War matchup next week.
Carlsbad (5-1) at Oceanside (4-2), 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Carlsbad
While Oceanside is looking to get their first winning season in three seasons, they winning column might take a break for another week as RB Norwood Mazlo will lead Carlsbad to victory.
Grossmont of El Cajon (5-1) at Granite Hills of El Cajon (4-2), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Granite Hills
What I am thinking is for third place in the Grossmont-Hills League, I am going with the upset special, kind of. Both teams are pretty even, but that’s me. Regardless, DB Ethen Bishop and Granite Hills.
Ramona (0-6) at Escondido (4-2), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Ramona
Don’t let the record fool you, Ramona has played a tough schedule and it will finally benefit them. LB Ian Alexander and the young Bulldogs get their first victory of the season.
Morse of San Diego (4-2) at La Jolla (3-3), Friday, 6:30pm
Manny’s Pick: Morse
I feel like La Jolla might get this one, but why pick against RB Mike Cunningham and the Tigers offense? Morse gets the win.