Manny’s Quarterfinals Football Picks: (11/12/19)

MANNY’S GAMES OF THE WEEK

Last Week Record: 13-7

2019 Record: 179-63-1

So I started off good with the Inland Empire picks and Los Angeles picks, but everything fell apart when I got to Orange County and San Diego as I went 2-3 in each Region.

That left me from start 9-1 to 4-6.

As I should have seen it coming, first round playoff upsets arrived and yours truly didn’t prepare for it. 

Let me make my peace with the seven schools who I predicted their seasons to end.

Locke of Los Angeles – I picked Granada Hills to win and I was just off by a missed PAT kick. The thing is that I’m predicting Locke to lose on Friday again. Maybe if I pick against them, they win?

Long Beach Poly – Here’s another game that was close as the Jackrabbits went to overtime and took care of Orange Lutheran. I went with the Trinity League as a sure thing and I took the punishment.

Lawndale – With some upset specials delivered last week, I was expecting this one to be the upset special with Los Alamitos advancing. Lawndale took the win, but it was close. Another close L for me.

Lakewood – I thought a CIF-SS Finalist from last season like Brea Olinda was a sure thing, but now I just look like I’m giving no love to the Moore League. First Poly and now Lakewood. Who is next, Wilson of Long Beach?

Torrey Pines of San Diego – Like the Trinity League, you kind of have to go with the Avocado League as a sure thing. The Palomar League is a good league too and Rancho Bernardo showed up in 2019, but I slept on the Falcons.

Christian of El Cajon – I thought the Otay Ranch of Chula Vista losing record was just a fluke. Maybe it was, but I should have checked up on Christian a little harder.

Brawley – Brawley is a good team and I know that. I picked Kearny of San Diego, but why did I go against Sergio Romo? 

One of the reasons why I like winning these is to not make a bunch of amends. It just takes forever. 

Anyway, let’s get to my quarterfinals picks.

MANNY’S INLAND EMPIRE GAMES OF THE WEEK

Last Week IE Record: 5-0

Overall IE Record: 46-14

No. 4 JSerra of San Juan Capistrano (6-4) at No. 6 Centennial of Corona (8-2), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Centennial 

With the loss to RB Chris Street to an injury, the Lions will hope for a big game from Sammy Green, but Centennial has RB Nick Floyd. Huskies take the win. 

Long Beach Poly (8-3) at No. 20 Rancho Cucamonga (8-3), Friday, 7pm 

Manny’s Pick: Rancho Cucamonga 

The Jackrabbits snuck in the quarterfinals with an overtime victory last week, but they now have to stop QB CJ Stroud and the Rancho Cucamonga offense. Sneaking into the semifinals could be a tough task. Rancho Cucamonga advances.

Kaiser of Fontana (11-0) at San Jacinto (9-2), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Kaiser

The Cats have a tall task stopping San Jacinto offense. If LB Gabe Ortiz has another bug game and shuts down the San Jacinto offense, then Kaiser shall advance. 

Trabuco Hills of Mission Viejo (7-4) San Gorgonio of San Bernardino (9-2), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: San Gorgonio

San Gorgonio survived an upset last week and LB Desi Gonzales will look to make sure that they’ll be no close calls this week. San Gorgonio wins.

Orange (10-1) at JW North of Riverside (10-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: JW North

Orange is on a roll, but they haven’t faced strong competition. It might hurt them with another team on a roll. RB Venasio Mikaele will look to tame the Panthers, JW North wins.

MANNY’S LOS ANGELES GAMES OF THE WEEK

Last Week LA Record: 4-1

Overall LA Record: 42-19-1

No. 9 Calabasas (8-2) at No. 2 St. John Bosco of Bellflower (9-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: St. John Bosco

The Braves want revenge with Mater Dei, but they have to knock Calabasas out first. QB DJ Uiagalelei will push Bosco closer to the finals with a win.

Lawndale (8-2) vs. No. 14 Grace Brethren of Simi Valley (9-1) at Moorpark College, Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Grace Brethren

It seems when Lawndale runs into a powerhouse program they fall short. Well, Grace Brethren running back duo of Julien Stokes and Josh Henderson might be too much for the Cardinals. Grace Brethren advances.

Oxnard (10-1) at Aquinas of San Bernardino (9-2), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Oxnard

This one looks pretty even, but RB Xavier Harris is a beast on the ground. Advantage, Oxnard!

Crenshaw of Los Angeles (7-2) at San Fernando (9-0), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Crenshaw

I’m looking for an upset special and I feel Crenshaw might order one in this quarterfinal matchup. Crenshaw to the semifinals!

Locke of Los Angeles (7-4) at Eagle Rock of Los Angeles (8-3), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Eagle Rock 

Eagle Rock runs into a Locke squad that snuck past the first round. With RB Daniel Zamora leading the Eagle Rock offense, no one will be sneaking by. Eagles win!

MANNY’S ORANGE COUNTY GAMES OF THE WEEK

Last Week OC Record: 2-3

Overall OC Record: 51-11

No. 4 Servite of Anaheim (7-3) at No. 3 Mission Viejo (10-0)

Manny’s Pick: Servite

The Diablos will look to stay undefeated, but they run into a Servite squad that has been unstoppable these last few weeks. QB Noah Fifita will lead Servite to victory and set the rematch with Mater Dei. 

No. 19 Rancho Verde of Moreno Valley (10-1) at San Clemente (9-2), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: San Clemente

The Mustangs will look to run San Clemente season off the field, but with LB Caiden Robertson in the way of Rancho Verde, it will be the Tritons knocking their opponent off the field. One Town, One Team, Another Victory for San Clemente. 

Edison of Huntington Beach (8-3) vs. La Habra (9-2), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: La Habra

Both teams are pretty equal, but with WR Kristopher Koontz catching passes for the Highlanders which means Clark Phillips III is not covering him. The edge goes to La Habra.

Palmdale (10-1) at Aliso Niguel of Aliso Viejo (8-3), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Aliso Niguel

The Wolverines will have to improve their offense after a shaky performance in the first round. If they can match what DT Evan Comisky and the defense did last week, Aliso Niguel should head to the semifinals for the first time in over 20 years.

Katella of Anaheim (10-1) vs. Segerstrom of Santa Ana (10-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Katella

Both these teams are evenly matched, but I expect the Katella passing game to improve with WR Donnovan Arrington leading the way. The Knights head to the semifinals.

MANNY’S SAN DIEGO GAMES OF THE WEEK

Last Week SD Record: 2-3

Overall SD Record: 41-19

No. 16 St. Augustine of San Diego (8-2) at No. 5 Helix of La Mesa (9-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Helix

The rematch is set, but this one is for keeps. RB Elelyon Noa will look to rinse and repeat. The Scots head back to the Finals!

No. 12 Carlsbad (9-1) at No. 13 Cathedral Catholic of San Diego (8-2), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Cathedral Catholic

The Dons got a bit of a wake up call on their Regular Season finale loss to Lincoln of San Diego. RB Zavien Watson will make sure the Dons avoid the L column. Cathedral  Catholic heads to the Finals and gets a rematch with Helix.

Oceanside (7-4) at Steele Canyon of Spring Valley (9-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Steele Canyon 

I don’t think everyone is feeling the Cougars are legitimately for real. A win against Oceanside might change the minds of their doubters. Steele Canyon wins.

Poway (7-4) at Bishop’s of La Jolla (10-0), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Bishop’s 

Being 10-0 isn’t a fluke. The Knights are undefeated for a reason and QB Tyler Buchner will keep the losses at a Zero. Bishop’s advances!

Central of El Centro (9-2) at San Diego (6-3), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Central 

After getting a first round victory, Central faces a San Diego team that earned a bye week. Central will the favorites in this one though. LB Angel Nava-Esparza and the Central defense will make the push to the semifinals.