Manny’s World: First Round Picks
Well, not a bad regular season record, but new season for my picks. Let’s see if they hold up in round one. Let’s check them out.
MANNY’S PLAYOFF GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week Overall Record: 13-7
Overall Record: 163-55-2
MANNY’S INLAND EMPIRE GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week IE Record: 3-2
Overall IE Record: 42-13
Tesoro of Rancho Santa Margarita (6-4) at No. 15 Rancho Verde of Moreno Valley (10-0), 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Rancho Verde
The Mustangs have a tough task in round one of the playoffs. RB Xavier Ugorji will look to lead the Rancho Verde offense and get a win to go 11-0.
Heritage of Romoland (7-3) at No. 16 Upland (8-2), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Upland
The Scots are looking to bounce back from their tough loss to Rancho Cucamonga, but it will be a tough task against Heritage. WR Taj Davis will make sure to lead Upland to the quarterfinals.
Rancho Cucamonga (6-4) at No. 19 Vista Murrieta (8-2), Friday, 7:30pm
Manny’s Pick: Vista Murrieta
Both teams are coming off league championship victories. It’s a shame one of them will be out in the first round. DB Myles Martin will look to end the Cougars six game winning streak and send Vista Murrieta to the CIF-SS Division 1 quarterfinals.
Redlands East Valley (7-3) at Norco (8-2), Friday, 7:30pm
Manny’s Pick: Norco
It’s tough to comprehend how these two powerful teams are meeting in round one, but RB DJ Ford will lead the Cougars past Redlands East Valley and advance.
Temecula Valley (5-5) vs. Woodbridge of Irvine (7-3) at University of Irvine, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Temecula Valley
After going winless in 2017, the Golden Bears are in the postseason and with DB Easton Gibbs leading the way, they will advance to the quarterfinals past Pacific Coast League champs in Woodbridge.
MANNY’S LOS ANGELES GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week LA Record: 5-0
Overall LA Record: 44-11
No. 11 Mission Viejo (5-5) at No. 6 Bishop Amat of La Puente (9-1), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Bishop Amat
The Lancers are looking to continue their fantastic season. QB Blake Archuleta will do that as Bishop Amat advances to the quarterfinals with a win over Mission Viejo.
No. 17 Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks (7-3) at La Habra (7-3), 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Notre Dame
The Knights are back in business after a few dismal seasons and RB McKel Broussard will look to get Notre Dame to the quarterfinals over a tough La Habra team. Knights advance.
Alemany of Mission Hills (6-4) at Cathedral of Los Angeles (8-2), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Alemany
The Warriors are on a three game losing streak, but now that Mission League play is over, RB Omari Gary and Alemany will use their experience to get past Cathedral and head to the quarterfinals.
Wilson of Long Beach (6-4) at Mira Costa of Manhattan Beach (6-4), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Mira Costa
This is going to be a close one, but i’m going to go with LB Malachi McMahon and the Mustangs with a win over Wilson.
El Rancho of Pico Rivera (7-3) at Moreno Valley (7-2), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: El Rancho
The Dons will look to send the Mountain Valley League champs home early. QB Jakob Moeller will lead El Rancho to the quarterfinals.
MANNY’S ORANGE COUNTY GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week OC Record: 3-2
Overall OC Record: 41-14
Westlake of Westlake Village (7-3) vs. No. 20 Los Alamitos (8-1-1) at Cerritos College of Norwalk, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Los Alamitos
It’s rare to have Los Alamitos be the underdog, but they face a tough Warriors team. RB Keanu Norman will keep the Griffins season alive and advance to the quarterfinals.
Murrieta Valley (6-4) at San Clemente (6-4), Friday, 7:30pm
Manny’s Pick: San Clemente
The Tritons are riding high from their last game, a upset victory over Mission Viejo to take the South Coast League title. They plan to ride the momentum and get revenge with a victory over Murrieta Valley. San Clemente advances.
Edison of Huntington Beach (5-5) at San Juan Hills of San Juan Capistrano (7-3), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Edison
The Chargers took a one sided victory over San Juan Hills. I expect another Edison victory, but this should be close. Chargers head to the quarterfinals.
Chino Hills (6-4) at Yorba Linda (8-2), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Yorba Linda
The Mustangs will be looking to sneak past Chino Hills and that should happen with WR Ricky Lane lead Yorba Linda to the quarterfinals.
Northwood of Irvine (7-3) vs. Rancho Alamitos of Garden Grove (7-3) at Bolsa Grande of Garden Grove, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Northwood
The Timberwolves face a challenge in round one with the Garden Grove League champs in the way. Northwood will push off the Vaqueros and head to the quarterfinals.
MANNY’S SAN DIEGO GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week San Diego Record: 2-3
Overall San Diego Record: 36-17-2
Grossmont of El Cajon (3-7) at Madison of San Diego (6-4), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Madison
The Warhawks are looking to regroup and try to make a run in the postseason. RB Kenan Christon will send Madison to the quarterfinals.
Mission Hills of San Marcos (3-6) at Rancho Bernardo of San Diego (7-3), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Rancho Bernardo
It’s been a tough season for Mission Hills, but RB Jack Gaylord and the Broncos don’t have sympathy. Rancho Bernardo advances to the quarterfinals.
San Pasqual of Escondido (6-4) at Mira Mesa of San Diego (7-2), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: San Pasqual
This is going to be a close one, but I have to go with San Pasqual over Mira Mesa in the Division II first round.
Vista (6-4) at Bishop’s of La Jolla (5-4), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Vista
RB Desmond Taua will look to lead the Panthers to the quarterfinals. Vista will advance with a victory over Bishop’s
Rancho Buena Vista of Vista (4-6) at Santa Fe Christian of Solana Beach (6-3), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Santa Fe Christian
The Eagles will look to shutdown Rancho Buena Vista offense. DE Carson Drake will make sure to do that. Santa Fe Christian gets the win.