Manny’s World: Week 4 So Cal Picks

I’ve picked some upsets. Which ones? I’m not telling you now, read and scroll down.

 

Last Week Overall Record: 15-5

 

Current Overall Record: 59-21

 

INLAND EMPIRE GAMES OF THE WEEK

 

Last Week IE Record: 2-3

 

Overall IE Record: 14-6

 

No. 7 Mission Viejo (4-0) at No. 9 Upland (3-0), Friday, 7:30pm

 

Manny’s Pick: Upland

 

I wouldn’t call this an upset, but the Scots are ranked two spots below. Regardless, I’m going with a pair of Davis with RB Cameron and WR Taj. The Diablos have been playing somewhat close games and facing a team stronger than the previous four games will be trouble. Arizona State-commit QB Joey Yellen will try to get Mission Viejo another victory, but I’m going with Upland.

 

No. 6 Cajon of San Bernardino (3-0) at Oak Hills of Hesperia (3-1), Friday, 7pm

 

Manny’s Pick: Cajon

 

Nothing is stopping Cowboys QB Jayden Daniels and WR Dante Jones. RB Isaiah Gray will be Oak Hills go-to guy, but Cajon will be too much.

 

Vista Murrieta (1-2) at No. 17 Madison of San Diego (4-0), Friday, 6:30pm

 

Manny’s Pick: Vista Murrieta

 

Like Mission Viejo, Madison has been winning by close scores. RB Theo Gearring and LB Samuela Mo’unga should lead Vista Murrieta over RB Kenan Christon and the Warhawks. The Broncos get the upset special.

 

Redlands East Valley (2-1) at No. 18 Norco (3-1), 7pm

 

Manny’s Pick: Norco

 

The Cougars won’t take the Redlands East Valley easy. RB DJ Ford and QB Shane Illingworth will lead Norco to victory over QB Myles Herrera and the Wildcats.

 

Rancho Verde of Moreno Valley (3-0) at Grossmont of El Cajon (1-2), Friday, 7pm

 

Manny’s Pick: Rancho Verde

 

In my opinion, this will be Rancho Verde third strongest opponent and I still think RB Xavier Ugorji and WR Ty McCullough will lead them to a big victory over DB Connor Sanchez and the Foothillers. Mustangs for the win.

 

LOS ANGELES GAMES OF THE WEEK

 

Last Week LA Record: 5-0

 

Overall LA Record: 16-4

 

No. 1 St. John Bosco of Bellflower (4-0) at No. 13 Chaminade of West Hills (2-2), Friday, 7pm

 

Manny’s Pick: St. John Bosco

 

There is no stopping QB DJ Uiagalelei and the Braves. It will  be up to Chaminade LB Blake Antzoulatos to stop the quarterback. Luckily, LB Cole Aubrey can assist on defense for Bosco, so I’m going with los Bravos.

 

Murrieta Valley (1-2) at No. 5 Oaks Christian of Westlake Village (4-0), Friday, 7pm

 

Manny’s Pick: Oaks Christian

 

The Lions handled Alemany pretty well, but Murrieta Valley is riding momentum, so maybe this won’t be easy. Michigan-commit RB Zach Charbonnet and DE Kayvon Thibodeaux should make it easy though. Expect a high scoring game with Boise State-commit QB Hank Bachmeier keeping the Nighthawks in the game. Oaks Christian wins.

 

Narbonne of Harbor City (1-3) at No. 15 Serra of Gardena (2-1), Friday, 7pm

 

Manny’s Pick: Serra

 

This has been a tough non-league season for Narbonne and it won’t get easier with Cavaliers QB Doug Brumfield going to the air often. Add that with LB Justin Houston and it could be a long night for RB Marceese Yetts and the Gauchos. Serra with the win.

 

Cathedral of Los Angeles (4-0) at No. 20 Bishop Amat of La Puente (3-1), Friday, 7pm

 

Manny’s Pick: Bishop Amat

 

The Lancers only have a hard time with Trinity League teams, so maybe they’ll win this one? QB Blake Archuleta and RB Kenny Collins should lead Bishop Amat to victory over QB Jared Haywood and the Phantoms.

 

Westlake of Westlake Village (4-0) at Moorpark (3-0), Friday, 7pm

 

Manny’s Pick: Westlake

 

This is going to be a good one. I’m going with LB De’Gabriel Floyd and the Warriors over RB Alec Powell and the Moorpark offense.

 

ORANGE COUNTY GAMES OF WEEK

 

Last Week OC Record: 3-2

 

Overall OC Record: 15-5

 

No. 8 Orange Lutheran (2-1) at Heritage of Romoland (2-1), Friday, 7pm

 

Manny’s Pick: Orange Lutheran

 

Heritage lost to a very good Redlands East Valley team, but now they face OLu. South Carolina-commit QB Ryan Hilinski will be connecting to WR Kyle Ford all evening. If Orange Lutheran can stop DE Kristen Pierre and the Patriots defense. Lancers win it.

 

Villa Park (2-1) vs. No. 11 Servite of Anaheim (3-0) at El Modena of Orange, Friday, 7pm

 

Manny’s Pick: Villa Park

 

Call me crazy, but Villa Park were in the game against Mission Viejo last week. If they bring the same game against the Friars, then this will end on a positive note for Purdue-commit QB Paul Piferi and LB John Tu’avao and the Spartans. Villa Park delivers the upset special. Meanwhile, expect an insane student section battle with the Servite Asylum and the Villa Park Black Pack!

 

Orem of Utah (2-2) vs. Santa Margarita of Rancho Santa Margarita (2-2) at Trabuco Hills of Mission Viejo, Friday, 7pm

 

Manny’s Pick: Santa Margarita

 

The Eagles can’t make mistakes in this one. QB Peter Costelli and RB Jake Thomas will hope to lead Santa Margarita to a close victory over QB Cooper Legas and the Tigers. This will be close. I kept flip flopping so hopefully my last instincts are right.

 

Corona del Mar (Newport Beach (3-1) at San Clemente (1-3), Friday, 7pm

 

Manny’s Pick: Corona del Mar

 

The Sea Kings passing game has been lights out, but now they face a bigger challenge compared to their last three opponents. I do expect QB Ethan Garbers connecting to WR John Humphreys as usual. WR Jaydel Jenkins will try to keep the Tritons from going 1-4. I’m going with CdM in this one.

 

Bishop’s of La Jolla (2-1) vs. St. Margaret’s of San Juan Capistrano (3-1) at La Jolla, Friday, 6:30pm

 

Manny’s Pick: St. Margaret’s

 

The Tartans runs into Bishop’s once again. This is always a fun one. LB Jack Young and QB James Mott should get the best of WR Clarence Freeman IV and the Knights. St. Margaret’s wins.

 

SAN DIEGO GAMES OF THE WEEK

 

Last Week SD Record: 5-0

 

Current SD Record: 16-4

 

El Camino of Oceanside (1-2, 0-1) at No. 10 Torrey Pines of San Diego (4-0), Friday, 7:15pm

 

Manny’s Pick: Torrey Pines

 

RB Mac Bingham and LB Michael Stearns should open up the Avocado League with a win for the Falcons over RB Rense Garner and El Camino.

 

St. Augustine of San Diego (4-0) at Helix of La Mesa (1-3), Friday, 7pm

 

Manny’s Pick: St. Augustine

 

I was flip flopping with both teams. At the time I was typing this, I decided to go with the Saints. RB Bryon Cardwell and WR Michael Ambagsheer should lead St. Augustine, but RB Elelyon Noa could perhaps put the Scotties on top. I’m going with St. Augustine though.

 

Carlsbad (2-2, 0-1) at San Marcos (3-0, 1-0), Friday, 7pm

 

Manny’s Pick: San Marcos

 

This is an important Avocado League game for Carlsbad, but with QB Miles Hastings and LB Mitchell Barnett leading the Knights. The Lancers will hope that QB Keoni Quintana can give San Marcos their first loss. I’m going with the Knights.

 

Ramona (3-1) at Mission Hills of San Marcos (1-3), Friday, 7pm

 

Manny’s Pick: Mission Hills

 

The Grizzlies are playing with a chip on their shoulder after the sudden passing of assistant coach Eric Quamme. The season has been dedicated to him and with RB Marquis Gibson and WR Joe Smith leading the offense, they should get the win over LB Jack Drews and the Bulldogs.

 

Otay Ranch of Chula Vista (2-2) at Steele Canyon of Spring Valley (2-1), Friday, 7pm

 

Manny’s Pick: Otay Ranch

 

Otay Ranch has a duo at running back in Jonte Stewart and Noah Isley. The running should win here over SS Chance Johnson and the Cougars.