Manny’s Week 5 Picks: (09/24/19)

1 Manny's World,

Wow, I really tanked in the Los Angeles games this week. Going 1-4 last week in LA means I shouldn’t make bets in NFL games.

Anyway, I did lose two games in the Inland Empire and that’s better than two. 

I thought Los Osos of Rancho Cucamonga would use their fast start against a great program in Kaiser of Fontana. I should have stuck with the power team as Kaiser won 42-34.

I thought the same with Temecula Valley. A great start and I went with a hot team against a San Jacinto squad that lost two games all of last year and have already lost two games four games in. I should have put into account that the losses were to Eastlake of Chula Vista and Wilson of Long Beach. 41-3 victory for the Tigers, I wasn’t even close.

Let’s jump to Orange County. Tesoro of Rancho Santa Margarita had a strong schedule that backfired as their first 4 opponents are off to slow starts, so my guess is that San Juan Hills of San Juan Capistrano was going to be too much of a big test for the Titans. I was wrong. 20-3 victory to take “The Battle of the Bell”. Maybe we can count on an upset from Tesoro when we start South Coast League play.

Now in San Diego, I went with the Imperial Valley League power Central of El Centro against Christian of El Cajon. I was just three points off on that.

Now in Los Angeles, Loyola of Los Angeles beating Valencia. Loyola isn’t the same powerful football program I grew up seeing, but beating the Vikings 29-14 was huge. Hopefully that can bring momentum in the Mission League.

Speaking of the Mission League, Chaminade of West Hills will look to avoid last place in that tough league, but losing to Oxnard 50-28 doesn’t look good.

I decided to get a pair of CIF-LACS games, but it’s tough to figure out teams outside the top teams. Example, I picked Canoga Park over Reseda. Reseda won 43-21, not even close. I also picked Grant of Los Angeles over Arleta. Arleta won by two points, so it wasn’t bad at all, just got the wrong one.

Anyway, it can’t get any worse than 12-8, let’s see the improvement…and my picks for week five.

 

MANNY’S GAMES OF THE WEEK

Last Week Record: 12-8

2019 Record: 75-28

 

MANNY’S INLAND EMPIRE GAMES OF THE WEEK

Last Week IE Record: 3-2

Overall IE Record: 18-7

Rancho Verde of Moreno Valley (3-1) at No. 15 Norco (4-0), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Norco

Norco is looking for a final test before they start the Big VIII League as they might have a chance against Centennial of Corona this year. What better way than facing Rancho Verde, who looks to do the same as Heritage of Menifee will be their biggest challenge in the Ivy League. Norco has been battle test and wide receiver duo Marquis Ashley and Jaden Navarrette for another Cougars victory.

 

Vista Murrieta (2-2) at Loyola of Los Angeles (2-2), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Vista Murrieta

The Broncos look to end their two game losing streak, but they run into a Loyola team that just delivered the upset special, beating Valencia last week, so this won’t be easy. Hopefully linebacker Damian Otero and the Vista Murrieta will deny any upset victories. Broncos win.

 

Heritage of Romoland (2-2) at Santiago of Corona (1-3), Thursday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Heritage

This one is tough to figure out. Santiago has faced a tough schedule, but have battled. Heritage has done the same. I might regret this, but maybe the Patriots can win. Just give the ball to running back Kenny Teter and Heritage wins.

 

Banning (1-3) at Yucca Valley (1-3), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Yucca Valley

After beating what I thought was the Desert Valley League favorite in Coachella Valley, it looks like Yucca Valley might be the favorite in the DVL. Banning is in the way and if running back Tayten Shartel can lead the Trojans to another victory, they should cruise to the top of the league.

 

Redlands (1-3) at Hemet (2-2), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Hemet

Equal talent on both sides. Hemet needs a win before battling in the Mountain Pass League. WR Ethan Leonard will lead the Bulldogs to victory.

 

MANNY’S LOS ANGELES GAMES OF THE WEEK

Last Week LA Record: 1-4

Overall LA Record: 17-10

No. 4 Narbonne of Harbor City (4-1) at No. 17 Lawndale (3-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Narbonne

This is a big test for Lawndale. It might be too big with Narbonne QB Jacob Garcia causing havoc for opponents. Another win for the Gauchos.

 

Los Alamitos (1-3) at St. Paul of Santa Fe Springs (3-2), Friday, 7:30pm

Manny’s Pick: St. Paul

Well, we know Los Alamitos will be battle tested when the Sunset League begins next week. Linebacker Jonathan Fuamatu will lead the Swordsman to a big win over Los Al.

 

St. Bonaventure of Ventura (3-2) vs. Crespi of Encino (4-1) at Ventura College, Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Crespi

I’m hoping both programs return to the top like they used to. This is an even matchup, but i’m going with running back Michael Shirley and the Celts of Crespi.

 

San Fernando (4-0) at Reseda (3-2), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: San Fernando

Now I picked against Reseda last week and with the Tigers in their way, i’m picking against Reseda again. Probably for the best with them. Running back Brad Pierce leads San Fernando to a key Valley Mission League victory.

 

Manual Arts of Los Angeles (4-1) at Jefferson of Los Angeles (4-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Manual Arts

This could very well be for the Exposition League title. I feel like Manual Arts has been more battled tested. The Toilers get a big win.

 

MANNY’S ORANGE COUNTY GAMES OF THE WEEK

Last Week OC Record: 4-1

Overall OC Record: 22-4

No. 11 Corona del Mar of Newport Beach (4-0) vs. San Clemente (5-0) at Newport Harbor of Newport Beach, Thursday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Corona del Mar

This is the biggest test thus for both teams. It could either way, but I can’t go against QB Ethan Garbers and the Sea Kings.

 

No. 20 Upland (3-1) at No. 3 Mission Viejo (5-0), Friday, 7:30pm

Manny’s Pick: Mission Viejo

Mission Viejo picked up a nice final tune up game before league starts next week. That Diablos defense is insane with DT Logan Schwenke leading the way. I’m picking Mission Viejo however, every time I pick Upland to win, they lose. When I lick them to lose, they win. So this might be a good thing for the Scots.

 

No. 18 Servite of Anaheim (3-1) at Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks (4-0), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Servite

Servite is looking for another big win as they try to get in the top half of the Trinity League. With Notre Dame in the way of league play, QB Noah Fifita leads the Friars to another big win.

 

Tesoro of Rancho Santa Margarita (5-0) at Poway (4-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Tesoro 

Poway will look for a big win before they head to the Palomar League and this is a good opponent to get it from. Running back Zach Wren will keep the Titans undefeated as they head to South Coast League play.

 

Sunny Hills of Fullerton (3-1) at Trabuco Hills of Mission Viejo (3-2), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Sunny Hills

The battle for the Hills. I might be wrong with my pick as Trabuco Hills has improved. Running back Jun Ahn will lead the Lancers to another win.

 

MANNY’S SAN DIEGO GAMES OF THE WEEK

Last Week SD Record: 4-1

Overall SD Record: 18-7

Oaks Christian of Westlake Village (2-3) at No. 6 Helix of La Mesa (3-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Helix

With running back Elelyon Noa leading Helix on the ground, they’ll get another victory, thus putting Oaks Christian at 2-4. Just sounds weird seeing that record on that team. Scots win.

 

Madison of San Diego (2-2) at Grossmont of El Cajon (4-0), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Madison

This will be a much stronger opponent for Grossmont after what seemed like four easy games prior to Friday. Running back Ke’ontae Springs leads Madison to victory and shakes up the Foothillers.

 

El Camino of Oceanside (2-2) at Eastlake of Chula Vista (1-4), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: El Camino

I thought about going with a battle tested Eastlake squad, but I feel like that schedule was too strong that it may have done more wrong than right. Besides, El Camino is riding high after a big win over Torrey Pines of San Diego. The Wildcats get another big win.

 

Kearny of San Diego (2-2) at Valhalla of El Cajon (2-2), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Kearny

This is a tough one to pick, but looking at the schedule, the Comets look a bit more battle tested. Running back Nico Estrada will lead Kearny to a big win.

 

Bonita Vista of Chula Vista (3-2) at Hilltop of Chula Vista (4-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Hilltop

Bonita Vista has had a hard time with any team that has faced a challenge. They might handle this challenge, but running back Jeremiah Serrano should lead Hilltop to victory.