Manny’s Picks: Week 2

Another 15-5 record this past week. I can only guess another 15-5 record this week. Hopefully a better showing for I don’t have to say my bad to five teams, like I will this week.

Now, in the Inland Empire, I went perfect. Perfect picks to go along with the defending SoCal Football Student Section Champion, the Rancho Cucamonga Rooters, taking the SoCal Student Section of the Week 1 title.

I wish I could say the same in the Los Angeles Region. I got two games wrong. Oaks Christian of Westlake Village had a tie game at 28, but Grace Brethren of Simi Valley went on a 26-0 run, so for a minute, I almost had this game right, but kudos for the Lancers on their win. 

I thought Westlake of Westlake Village would get their first win, but Mission Hills of San Marcos put my foot in my mouth with a 25-21 win. 

The one OC game I had wrong was the one I was at. I thought Tustin would win the Crosstown Rivalry, but it was Foothill of Santa Ana that took the 28-14 win. I underestimated the Knights as they took the Crosstown Rivalry Trophy. 

After beating Los Alamitos, I assumed Torrey Pines of San Diego would get another win over another OC team in San Clemente. I was wrong. My bad to the Tritons as they handled Torrey Pines with a 31-7 win.

My final wrong pick was a big one. Cathedral Catholic of San Diego faced Saguaro of Scottsdale, Arizona at the Honor Bowl. Saguaro is one of the best football programs in Arizona, so it caught me off guard that they lost 18-10. Granted, it’s Cathedral Catholic, so it shouldn’t be that big of a surprise. 

Let’s see how I do while I look for the best student sections this week.

MANNY’S GAMES OF THE WEEK

Last Week Record: 15-5

2019 Record: 33-10

MANNY’S INLAND EMPIRE GAMES OF THE WEEK

Last Week IE Record: 5-0

Overall IE Record: 8-2

No. 15 Rancho Cucamonga (1-1) at No. 16 Norco (1-0), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Norco

This is pretty even. Norco QB Shane Illingworth will look for another big game and with WR Jaden Navarette as his go-to, he may win the QB battle with Rancho Cucamonga QB CJ Stroud. Norco wins the battle of the Cougars!

Upland (1-1) at Rancho Verde of Moreno Valley (2-0), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Rancho Verde 

LB Kenya Dorsey II will have a defensive battle with Upland LB Justin Flowe. The Mustangs will need RB Jordan Jefferson to have a good game. He will and Rancho Verde will take the victory. 

Murrieta Valley (1-0) at Santiago (Corona (0-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Murrieta Valley 

Someone has to takeover Hank Bachmeier, the new star QB at Boise State, as the big offense star for the Nighthawks and RB Corie Johnson seems to be the guy taking over. He’ll have WR Taliq Brown at his assistance. Murrieta Valley wins.

Cajon of San Bernardino (1-1) at Heritage of Menifee (1-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Heritage 

RB Kenny Teter is a work horse on offense and with LB Isaac Hernandez running the show on defense, Cajon QB Patrick Ragan will have a hard time, as the case in replacing Jaylen Daniels, the starting QB for Arizona State. The Patriots win.

Colony of Ontario (0-2) at Citrus Valley of Redlands (1-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Citrus Valley 

WR Jordan Scott and the Blackhawks face a Colony team that used to run the Mt. Baldy League. QB Trillian Harris will look to keep that going in the Palomares League. LB Jacob Moi will stop Harris as Citrus Valley wins.

MANNY’S LOS ANGELES GAMES OF THE WEEK

Last Week LA Record: 3-2

Overall LA Record: 10-2

Serra of Gardena (1-0) at No. 3 Calabasas (2-0), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Calabasas

This should be a fun one, especially on offense with Serra RB Jaylon Armstead looking to outscore the Coyotes duo of QB Jaden Casey and WR Johnny Wilson. Calabasas for the win.

No. 11 Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth (2-0) at No. 12 Oaks Christian of Westlake Village (1-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Sierra Canyon

LB Dylan Divito will look to lead Oaks Christian defense. He’ll have to try and stop RB JD Sumlin and WR DJ Harvey and the Sierra Canyon offense. The Trail Blazers take the victory.

No. 19 Carlsbad (2-0) at Lawndale (0-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Lawndale

The Cardinals defense will look to keep Carlsbad RB Mazlo Norwood locked up. DE Tuli Tuipulotu and DB Makell Esteen will lead Lawndale to victory. 

St. Bonaventure of Ventura (1-1) vs. Highland of Palmdale (1-0) at Ventura College, Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: St. Bonaventure

It’s the Highland running game against the Seraphs defense. LB duo Kian Betancourt and Ben Hall will stop Bulldogs RB Isaiah Creech. St. Bonaventure gets the win.

San Fernando (2-0) at Franklin of Los Angeles (2-0), Friday, 7pm 

Manny’s Pick: San Fernando

The Tigers offense will look to get the ball rolling on the ground with RB Brad Pierce and WR Adrian Hernandez. This will be a tough task that QB Alfred Bobadilla and Franklin will be ready for, but I have to go with San Fernando in this one.

MANNY’S ORANGE COUNTY GAMES OF THE WEEK

Last Week OC Record: 4-1

Overall OC Record: 8-3

No. 7 Mission Viejo (2-0) at No. 17 La Habra (2-0), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Mission Viejo

QB Peter Costelli will look to throw the ball this week, which might be tough with La Habra DB Clark Phillips III in the way. If the passing game is stopped, the Diablos will go to RB Jacquez Robertson will do some extra work. Mission Viejo gets the win.

Bishop Amat of La Puente (2-0) at No. 8 JSerra of San Juan Capistrano (1-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: JSerra

The Lancers got two close wins, but this is going to be tough for RB Damien Moore and Bishop Amat. DT Siala Suliafu will try to stop him while RB Chris Street does the work for the Lions on offense. JSerra gets back in the win column. 

Orange (1-0) at Yorba Linda (1-0), Thursday 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Yorba Linda

After destroying Garden Grove, RB Isacc Galvin will look for another big game for the Panthers, but SS Luke Gigliotti will try to stop him while his Yorba Linda teammate, RB Keaton Haddad, will look for a big game on the ground. The Mustangs win.

South Hills of West Covina (2-0) at San Juan Hills of San Juan Capistrano (1-1), Friday 7pm

Manny’s Pick: San Juan Hills

The Stallions are heavily relying on WR Joey Hobert. He’ll have to find a way to get past LB Robert Barreras and the South Hills defense. Good thing Hobert can play Strong Safety. He’ll get some help from LB Jake Hall. San Juan Hills gets a big win.

Newport Harbor of Newport Beach (2-0) at Aliso Niguel of Aliso Viejo (2-0), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Newport Harbor

Newport Harbor is slowly coming back to their glory days. Sailors QB Cole Lavin will keep looking for WR Mason Walker. Aliso Niguel has a wide receiver of their own in Caleb Peterson, but i’m going with Newport Harbor in this one.

MANNY’S SAN DIEGO GAMES OF THE WEEK

Last Week SD Record: 3-2

Overall SD Record: 7-3

No. 4 Centennial of Corona (1-1) at No. 5 Cathedral Catholic of San Diego (2-0), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Cathedral Catholic 

The Dons came away with a huge victory at the Honor Bowl over Saguaro of Scottsdale, Arizona. FS Malachi Williams is going to need to have a big game in order to stop RB Nick Floyd and the Centennial offense. If he can do that, then RB Zavien Watson should propel Cathedral Catholic to victory.

Eastlake of Chula Vista (0-2) at Lincoln of San Diego (2-0), Friday, 6:30pm

Manny’s Pick: Lincoln

You’d have to go back to the nineties to check when the last time Eastlake started the season 0-3. With a defense led by LB duo Marquise Allen-Patmon and Deandre Patterson-Forte. Lincoln wins!

Granite Hills of El Cajon (2-0) at Madison of San Diego (1-1), Friday, 6:30pm

Manny’s Pick: Granite Hills

QB Justus McComb will look to avoid the LB Sam Owens Warhawks defense. If he can find WR James Johnson, then Granite Hills shall take the victory. 

Oceanside (1-1) at San Marcos (1-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: San Marcos

We already have league play, three weeks into the season. The Avocado League starts with the Pirates and the Knights. This should be a close one. Oceanside RB Kavika Tua is a beast and if LB Nick Tiefer can stop him, then San Marcos should get the edge with WR Gavin Cherveny. San Marcos wins.

Otay Ranch of Chula Vista (1-1) at Point Loma of San Diego (1-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Otay Ranch

Point Loma needs to get some wins before getting into the tough Western League. Otay Ranch LB duo Aiden Arguilla and Albert Medina will prevent the Pointers from getting a non-league win. Otay Ranch wins.