Manny’s Week 8 Picks: (10/15/19)
A tie? Yes.
One game was cancelled due to the air quality.
Cleveland of Reseda will look to be co-champions with Birmingham of Lake Balboa in the West Valley League.
With the tie, I went 13-6-1. I mean it’s a slight improvement. Let’s eat my words in six of those games.
In the Inland Empire, I went with Linfield Christian of Temecula over Ontario Christian. I was off by a touchdown. I guess I won’t get Knighted for that one. Bad pun, sorry.
In the Los Angeles region, I went with the theory of ‘To be the man, you got to beat the man!’ Well, Culver City is the man after beating Lawndale. Well done!
I should have gone with that route when I picked Hart of Newhall over Valencia. Valencia is still the man in the Foothill League.
In San Diego, I should have gone with Grossmont of El Cajon, but it was so evenly matched up with Granite Hills of El Cajon. I should let that go and accept that I didn’t give the Foothillers enough love.
I was hoping that Ramona would get their first win of the season against Escondido. Ramona has battled, but Escondido held on with the win.
Meanwhile I went with Morse of San Diego over La Jolla, I went with it due to La Jolla dropping a game to Del Norte of San Diego. I’m guessing they woke up as they defeated Morse.
Ok, I’m full, let’s see if I can get any better in Week 8.
MANNY’S GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week Record: 13-6-1
2019 Record: 117-45-1
MANNY’S INLAND EMPIRE GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week IE Record: 4-1
Overall IE Record: 29-11
Norco (6-1) at No. 8 Centennial of Corona (5-2), Friday, 7:30pm
Manny’s Pick: Centennial
Once again, this matchup is for the Big VIII League title. Once again, RB Nick Floyd and the Huskies will take the victory. Centennial stays on top.
Temecula Valley (5-2) at Vista Murrieta (5-2), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Vista Murrieta
Vista Murrieta are currently the front runners, but the Southwestern League is anyones game, so DB Hunter Escorcia and the Broncos will have to cut the penalties down. I’m going with Vista Murrieta in this one.
Kaiser of Fontana (7-0) vs Summit of Fontana (6-1) at Miller of Fontana, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Kaiser
Summit will be looking to knock the Cats off the top spot in the Sunkist League, but with RB Trey Tribble running the offense, Kaiser should remain on top.
Jurupa Hills of Fontana (7-0) at San Gorgonio of San Bernardino (6-1), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: San Gorgonio
This is going to be a close one. Both teams are equal, but San Gorgonio has DB Desi Gonzales. Spartans wins this San Andreas League matchup.
Big Bear (2-5) at Riverside Prep of Oro Grande (2-5), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Big Bear
Big Bear has been one of the better teams in the Cross Valley League and this year should be no different. RB Paul Domingue should lead the Bears to victory.
MANNY’S LOS ANGELES GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week LA Record: 2-2-1
Overall LA Record: 27-14-1
Redondo Union of Redondo Beach (5-2) at Palos Verdes of Palos Verdes Estates (5-2), Friday, 3pm
Manny’s Pick: Palos Verdes
Redondo Union will be the Sea Kings top competitor in the Bay League, but DB Julian Alessi and the Palos Verdes defense is too much. Sea Kings win.
Simi Valley (5-2) at Oak Park (7-0), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Simi Valley
Simi Valley has made some big improvements these last few years and RB Elijah Leiva looks to get them the Canyon League title. Pioneers trail on to a victory.
Santa Barbara (5-2) at Lompoc (5-2), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Lompoc
Lompoc looks like the Channel League favorite, but they did drop a winnable game a few weeks ago, so Santa Barbara might sneak by. I can’t go against LB Jed Rantz and the Braves, so I’m going with Lompoc in this.
Franklin of Los Angeles (6-1) at Eagle Rock of Los Angeles (4-3), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Eagle Rock
The Eagles have battled with some great teams this season, so RB Axel Ayers should lead Eagle Rock to a Northern League victory.
Crenshaw of Los Angeles (4-2) at Locke of Los Angeles (4-3), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Crenshaw
Crenshaw has been battle tested and they just got a win via forfeit. Perhaps a boost of confidence is more than enough for the Cougars in a big Coliseum League victory.
MANNY’S ORANGE COUNTY GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week OC Record: 5-0
Overall OC Record: 35-6
No. 16 Servite of Anaheim (4-3) vs. No. 6 JSerra of San Juan Capistrano (5-2) at Orange Coast College of Costa Mesa, Thursday, 7:30pm
Manny’s Pick: Servite
Servite three losses have been to the best football programs in the Nation. QB Noah Fifita will lead the Friars to the upset special.
Sunny Hills of Fullerton (6-1) vs. No. 17 La Habra (5-2) at Buena Park, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: La Habra
La Habra will remain the kings of the Freeway League, but the Lancers will look to try their best and dethrone the kings. While Sunny Hills will throw away from DB Clark Phillips III, the Highlanders will have QB Ryan Zanelli throwing the ball on the opposite side. La Habra wins!
Los Alamitos (2-5) at Newport Harbor of Newport Beach (7-0), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Los Alamitos
I’m loving the return of Sailors football dominance, but Los Alamitos has been battle tested and will bring that test with them in a battle for third place in the Sunset League. Whether it is Cade McConnell or Malachi Nelson at quarterback, Griffins with a big win.
Esperanza of Anaheim (6-1) at Brea Olinda (4-3), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Brea Olinda
The Aztecs are having a fantastic turnaround season, but now they have a matchup where the winner will meet Foothill of Santa Ana for the North Hills League title. Brea Olinda three losses have been to three top quality teams. DB Eugene Kim and the Wildcats will be ready and will be ready for Foothill for the league championship. This means they win this game.
Northwood of Irvine (6-1) at Portola of Irvine (6-1), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Portola
This will most likely be for the Pacific Coast League title pending where Woodbridge of Irvine stands by the final week. The Bulldogs better move fast and with RB Nova Kebeli running, Portola should stay on top of the PCL.
MANNY’S SAN DIEGO GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week SD Record: 2-3
Overall SD Record: 26-14
No. 14 St. Augustine of San Diego (6-1) at No. 7 Cathedral Catholic of San Diego (7-1), Friday, 6:30pm
Manny’s Pick: Cathedral Catholic
The Holy War is here and as always the stakes are huge. Western League title and pretty much the second best team in San Diego as both lost to Helix of La Mesa. RB Zavien Watson will lead the Dons to this Holy victory.
No. 5 Helix of La Mesa (6-1) at Grossmont of El Cajon (6-1), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Helix
Grossmont is having a fantastic season, but they run into San Diego best. It will be hard to stop RB Elelyon Noa. Helix wins the Musket Trophy, given to the winner of this rivalry.
Mission Hills of San Marcos (5-2) at La Costa Canyon of Carlsbad (4-3), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Mission Hills
This might be pretty close. La Costa Canyon has faced some tough opponents, but the Grizzlies beat Oceanside, which beat La Costa Canyon. The decider leads me to believe that Mission Hills will win.
Scripps Ranch of San Diego (7-0) at San Diego (5-1), Friday, 6:30pm
Manny’s Pick: Scripps Ranch
This might be for the City League championship. San Diego has been impressive, but there is a reason why the Falcons are undefeated and RB Nick Gardinera is a big reason. Scripps Ranch go 8-0 with a win.
Valley Center (4-3) at San Pasqual of Escondido (6-1), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: San Pasqual
The Valley League best two teams meet up. Both teams have pulled off some upsets, so while I want to go with San Pasqual, you never know what Valley Center will do. I’m still going with the Eagles to soar high.