Manny’s Picks: Week 3

So I went 15-5 for the third straight…oh wait, 14-6, one too many wrong picked games this week.

In the Inland Empire, It just seems like I pick against Upland just so they could win. That’s the story I’m sticking to. Remember, I picked them to beat La Habra and they lost, so perhaps I should just pick against them, just like last week when they beat Rancho Verde of Moreno Valley.

Despite losing the best player to ever step foot at Cajon of San Bernardino, the Cowboys haven’t taken a back seat and now I know that after picking them to lose against Heritage of Menifee. I tip my cowboy hat to Cajon.

I almost got the Calabasas pick right, but double overtime loss to Serra of Gardena also gives me a loss. Almost got it, but Serra took it away.

I went with Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth over Oaks Christian of Westlake Village and I was off by a touchdown. If you scroll down, I went with Oaks Christian. I can’t go against them, but to be fair, I went with the Lions two weeks ago over Grace Brethren of Simi Valley and got that wrong. Maybe, like Upland, if I go against Oaks Christian, they win. Well, too late because I picked them to win this week.

Meanwhile, in Orange County, I went undefeated. This is what happens when you live in the OC.

Can’t say the same in San Diego as I picked Granite Hills of El Cajon over Maddison of San Diego. I should have stayed with a team called the Warhawks.

I went with a safe pick and went with San Marcos over Oceanside. Oceanside is the middle of Avocado League type of team these days and San Marcos has had better days than them, not by a long shot. Anyway, I’m trying to find an excuse as to why I picked San Marcos. My bad Oceanside.

Here’s to not going worse than 14-6. Here’s my picks!

MANNY’S GAMES OF THE WEEK

Last Week Record: 14-6

2019 Record: 47-16

MANNY’S INLAND EMPIRE GAMES OF THE WEEK

Last Week IE Record: 3-2

Overall IE Record: 11-4

Vista Murrieta (2-0) at No. 15 Norco (2-0), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Norco

QB Shane Illingworth will keep throwing to ball to his weapons like WR Marquis Ashley. This will be a tough task for DB Hunter Escorcia and the Broncos. Norco gets another win!

Murrieta Valley (2-0) at Roosevelt of Eastvale (0-3), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Murrieta Valley 

The Nighthawks went from a heavy passing team to a heavy running team thanks to running back duo Corie Johnson and DJ Watts. WR Jaden Smith will have to duplicate there talents for Roosevelt. Running game wins, which means Murrieta Valley wins. 

Redlands East Valley (0-3) at Heritage of Menifee (1-2), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Redlands East Valley 

Redlands East Valley has faced three very tough opponents and that should help them. RB Daylen Acevedo will look to rush REV to victory. DB Isaiah Bradford will need to stop RB Kenny Teter and the Heritage offense. Wildcats get their first win.

Citrus Hill of Perris (2-0) at Rancho Mirage (3-0), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Citrus Hill

I’m still unsure about Citrus Hill. They have had an easy schedule, but their defense, led by MLB Elijah Robinson and DB AJ Porter, will look to stop WR Jevin Dorsey and the Rattlers. Citrus Hill keeps the winning streak alive!

Temecula Valley (3-0) at Norte Vista of Riverside (3-0), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Temecula Valley 

The Golden Bears will look to their running back duo of Brody Hughes and Logan Moreno. If they can outrun Norte Vista RB Eddie Allain, than Temecula Valley should be going 4-0.

MANNY’S LOS ANGELES GAMES OF THE WEEK

Last Week LA Record: 3-2

Overall LA Record: 13-4

No. 18 La Habra (2-1) at No. 10 Calabasas (2-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Calabasas 

Both teams are looking to rebound from their first loss last week. The matchup you want to see is Coyotes WR Johnny Wilson against La Habra DB Clark Phillips III. I’m going with Wilson and Calabasas in this one.

No. 11 Oaks Christian of Westlake Village (2-1) at No. 17 Alemany of Mission Hills (3-0), Friday, 7:30pm

Manny’s Pick: Oaks Christian 

The Lions may go without LB/WR Mister Williams, but they do have LB Dylan Devito to lean on. Warriors QB Miller Moss will look to avoid Devito. A tough task as the Lions defense will probably pick him up if needed. Oaks Christian wins. 

Orange Lutheran (2-1) vs. No. 5 Narbonne of Harbor City (2-1) at Orange Coast College of Costa Mesa, Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Narbonne 

Narbonne RB Jack Brown will look to outduel Lancers RB Cooper Vander Hill. Good thing Brown has LB Alonso Person on the opposite side of the ball for him. Gauchos handle OLu.

Long Beach Poly (1-1) at No. 6 Serra of Gardena (2-0), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Serra

Hopefully the Cavaliers have plenty in their tank after their double overtime win over Calabasas last week. They definitely will with LB Justin Houston running the defense. If RB Jaylon Armstead can handle Poly DB Amajay Gravelly, then Serra will take another win, but in four quarters.

Camarillo (3-0) vs. Oxnard (3-0) at Moorpark College, Friday, 7:30pm

Manny’s Pick: Oxnard

This can go either way, but Oxnard has faced a competitive schedule. I’m going with the Yellowjackets WR Aaron Fontes in the air and RB Xavier Harris on the ground over Scorpions SS Grady Liddell and the defense. I’ll probably flip-flop after I post this, but Oxnard wins.

MANNY’S ORANGE COUNTY GAMES OF THE WEEK

Last Week OC Record: 5-0

Overall OC Record: 13-3

Villa Park (1-1) at No. 4 Mission Viejo (3-0), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Mission Viejo

The Diablos is still struggling in the passing game. Imagine when QB Peter Costelli gets back to form. While Costelli gets ready to get in full form, DE Logan Schwenke will continue to pound quarterbacks with his amazing defensive line. This might be bad news for QB Josh Stupin and the Villa Park offense. Mission Viejo wins again.

No. 20 Servite of Anaheim (1-1) at Cajon of San Bernardino (2-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Servite

The one thing that seemed to work for the Friars last week was QB Noah Fifita connection to WR Zedakiah Centers. That should continue while Cajon goes to their running game with RB Freddie Fletcher. Servite wins.

Lincoln of San Diego (3-0) at San Clemente (3-0), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: San Clemente

The San Diego tour continues for the Tritons and their defense has led the way with MLB Caiden Robertson and SS Cole Batson. Their offense will go up against Lincoln DB Saiyvionn Williams. San Clemente gets another win over a San Diego team.

Edison of Huntington Beach (2-1) vs. San Juan Hills of San Juan Capistrano (2-1) at Huntington Beach, Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Edison

Last week, I would have picked San Juan Hills, but the Chargers impressed me with a close win over Orange Lutheran. I’m going to have to go with LB Mike Walters and WR Cole Koffler over WR/DB Joey Hobert and the Stallions. Edison gets a big win.

Yorba Linda (2-0) at Capistrano Valley of Mission Viejo (2-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Yorba Linda

This looks about even. If Capo Valley LB Alex Leara can stop Mustangs RB Keaton Haddad then the Cougars should get the edge. However, his offense have to deal with SS Luke Gigliotti. Yorba Linda gets another close win.

MANNY’S SAN DIEGO GAMES OF THE WEEK

Last Week SD Record: 3-2

Overall SD Record: 10-5

No. 3 Cathedral Catholic of San Diego (3-0) at Helix of La Mesa (1-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Cathedral Catholic

Can anyone stop RB Elelyon Noa? Well, the Scots run into SS Emiliano Martinez and the red hot Cathedral Catholic defense. Luckily, the Dons also have a stud at running back in RB Zavien Watson. The Dons keep the ball rolling with another win.

No. 13 St. Augustine of San Diego (3-0) at Otay Ranch of Chula Vista (2-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: St. Augustine

Saints RB Bryon Cardwell will look to avoid LB Aiden Arguilla, who seems to find any man with a football. While Cardwell runs away from Arguilla, St. Augustine LB Connor Heffler will handle the Otay Ranch offense. Saints for the win.

Mission Hills of San Marcos (2-1) at Carlsbad (2-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Carlsbad

This is most likely for the Avocado League title. This will be a close one, but the Lancers have defensive back duo Coleby Whillock and DJ Young, which will be trouble for WR Quinton Hadnot and the Mission Hills offense. Carlsbad for the win.

Olympian of Chula Vista (1-2) at Grossmont of El Cajon (3-0), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Grossmont

Grossmont QB Jaime Odom will be going to the air, mainly to RB Robert Tucker and if Odom isn’t running the ball, Tucker will. If the Eagles can have WR Anthony Gilpin Jr. do the same, then they will win. Tough order as Grossmont stays undefeated.

Eastlake of Chula Vista (0-3) at San Jacinto (2-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Eastlake

I don’t think Eastlake has ever gone 0-4. Hopefully linebacker duo Josiah Mcguire and Maximus Susi can stop the passing and running game of Tigers QB Kajiya Hollawayne. Eastlake will never know how it feels to go 0-4…because the Titans win.