Manny’s Week 9 Picks: (10/23/19)
MANNY’S GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week Record: 18-2
2019 Record: 135-47-1
After two subpar weeks, I finally have a close to perfect week. Only two losses and one of them was an upset.
I picked Santa Barbara over Lompoc in a big Channel League game, but Lompoc took the dub with a 27-21 victory. Lompoc has a slightly stronger schedule and I should have seen that.
The other game I didn’t pick correctly was Vista Murrieta over Temecula Valley. Temecula Valley won 20-17 in a Southwestern League game. I can’t figure out the Southwestern League, but I don’t think anyone can. Everyone is beating everyone up in that league. We might have a 4-way tie for the league title there.
This week’s goal is to top the 18-2 record from last week. Let’s see how wrong i’ll be with that one.
MANNY’S INLAND EMPIRE GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week IE Record: 4-1
Overall IE Record: 33-12
Citrus Valley of Redlands (8-0) at Cajon of San Bernardino (6-2), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Cajon
Citrus Valley hasn’t been stopped, but now they run into their toughest opponent thus far. After one sided victories, the Blackhawks will get stopped by RB Freddy Fletcher and the Cajon offense. Cowboys win in the battle for the Citrus Belt League title.
San Jacinto (6-2) at Citrus Hill of Perris (7-1), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: San Jacinto
While San Jacinto has probably beaten their toughest Mountain Pass League opponents, they still have to handle Citrus Hills. QB Kajiya Hollawayne will look to keep the Tigers on top of league. San Jacinto wins.
Elsinore of Wildomar (5-3) vs Notre Dame of Riverside (5-3) at San Bernardino Valley College, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Elsinore
The Tigers have faced some tough teams and have come up short. Notre Dame will look to be the next tough one, but RB Gemini Batimana should handle a tough Titans as Elsinore gets the win.
Orange Vista of Perris (6-2) at North of Riverside (7-1), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: JW North
The Huskies only loss came to a team that almost beat St. John Bosco of Bellflower. Since then, no one has stopped them and with RB Venasio Mikaele leading the offense, Orange Vista will have a hard time stopping them. JW North takes the win.
Diamond Bar (5-3) at Chaffey of Ontario (7-1), Friday, 6pm
Manny’s Pick: Chaffey
Although Chaffey is a one-dimensional offense, all run, RB Ray Rodriguez will still be hard to stop for Diamond Bar. Chaffey takes the victory.
MANNY’S LOS ANGELES GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week LA Record: 4-1
Overall LA Record: 31-15-1
No. 16 Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth (7-1) vs No. 9 Grace Brethren of Simi Valley (8-0) at Moorpark College, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Grace Brethren
A nice test before battling for the Camino League title next week for the Lancers. RB Julian Stokes needs another big night on the ground if he wants to lead Grace Brethren to victory. I’m going with the Lancers over Sierra Canyon in a close one.
Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks (6-2) at No. 13 Bishop Amat of La Puente (7-1), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Bishop Amat
According to my math, which isn’t that great, Chaminade of West Hills beat Notre Dame and Bishop Amat beat Chaminade. So, according to my theory, Bishop Amat should win this.
No. 12 Calabasas (6-2) at Oaks Christian of Westlake Village (3-4), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Calabasas
Calabasas offense has been as good as advertised and against a team that has had a hard time with top teams, the Coyotes should excel in the top game in the Marmonte League. Calabasas wins.
Crescenta Valley of La Crescenta (8-0) vs Muir of Pasadena (7-1) at Glendale, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Muir
The Pacific League Championship and both teams are pretty even. Crescenta Valley will have a tough time dealing with the Mustangs defense. DE Carlos Ramirez and DT Kamar Watkins will be too much to handle as Muir wins.
Inglewood (8-0) at North Torrance (7-1), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: North Torrance
Led by coach Milvon James, who led Hawkins of Los Angeles to the CIF-LA City Section Division 1 Finals in 2016, he has turned Inglewood around from last season 0-10 season. Kudos to Inglewood, however, RB Stephen Bradford will be too much to handle as North Torrance wins.
MANNY’S ORANGE COUNTY GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week OC Record: 5-0
Overall OC Record: 40-6
No. 1 Mater Dei of Santa Ana (8-0) at No. 2 St. John Bosco of Bellflower (8-0), Friday, 7:30pm
Manny’s Pick: Mater Dei
The Trinity League title and potentially the National Championship on the line, this game will focus on two potential future NFL quarterbacks. The Monarchs haven’t been challenged in their tough schedule and should win a close one with QB Bryce Young leading the way. Mater Dei wins this, but expect another rematch in the CIF-SS Division 1 Finals later in the season.
San Clemente (8-1) at No. 3 Mission Viejo (8-0), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Mission Viejo
The South Coast League title runs through this game again. The Tritons only loss came from a team that is similar to Mission Viejo. The defense is strong with the Diablos and that’s why i’ll go with DE Lance Keneley and Mission Viejo in this one.
Villa Park (4-4) at Yorba Linda (7-1), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Yorba Linda
The Crestview League title runs once again with these two teams. Villa Park has had a tough season, but they should match with the Mustangs running game. I think RB Keaton Haddad will outrun the Villa Park defense. Yorba Linda gets the big win.
Marina of Huntington Beach (6-2) vs. Segerstrom of Santa Ana (8-0) at Westminster, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Segerstrom
According to my formula, Segerstrom beat El Modena of Orange, which beat Marina. Therefore, RB Angel Vega should lead the Jaguars to victory in a big, well Big-4 League matchup.
Santa Ana Valley (7-1) vs Magnolia of Anaheim (5-3) at Western of Anaheim, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Magnolia
The winner of this game gets a guaranteed berth as a third place finish in Division 13 and 14 are going to have a tough time getting in automatically. This will be a ground game and the Sentinels have a combo at running back in Joseph Lariz and Lloyd Marshbanks. The combo will deliver as Magnolia gets the win.
MANNY’S SAN DIEGO GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week SD Record: 5-0
Overall SD Record: 31-14
No. 17 St. Augustine of San Diego (6-2) vs Madison of San Diego (5-3) at Mesa College of San Diego, Friday, 6:30pm
Manny’s Pick: St. Augustine
The Saints will look to bounce back after a tough loss at the Holy Bowl. LB Connor Heffler will look to lead St. Augustine a big win in the Western League.
Rancho Bernardo of San Diego (6-2) at Vista (6-2), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Vista
The battle for the Palomar League title comes down to these two teams. I’m going to go with the running combo of Panthers. David Flores and Desmond Taua will lead Vista to victory.
Steele Canyon of Spring Valley (8-0) at Grossmont of El Cajon (6-2), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Steele Canyon
The Cougars wants that Grossmont-Hills League title and the Foothillers are in the way. Steele Canyon should get the win and get their matchup next week with Helix of La Mesa.
Eastlake of Chula Vista (4-5) at Otay Ranch of Chula Vista (3-5), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Eastlake
After the slow start to the season, the Titans are a win away from return back to even. Not only is a .500 record on the line, but the Metro-Mesa League title is on the line as well. RB Mateo La will lead Eastlake to another victory.
Vincent Memorial of Calexico (7-1) at Holtville (7-1), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Holtville
Both teams are pretty even and I expect the Manzanita League title game to be a close one. LB Ryder Merten will lead Holtville to a close victory.