Manny’s World: Week 2 Picks (8/29/18)

I’m starting to get the hang of this. I know how to pick teams and I also have just jinxed myself. Let’s see if I did.Here are my Week 2 picks of the best games in SoCal for this week.

Last Week Record: 15-5

Overall Record: 29-11

MANNY’S INLAND EMPIRE GAMES OF THE WEEK

Last Week IE Record: 4-1

Overall IE Record: 8-2

Pittsburg (1-1) at No. 3 Centennial of Corona (2-0), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Centennial

Gary Bryant Jr. has been unstoppable these last two games regardless if Carter Freedland or Ala Mikaele is at quarterback. A tough stop for LB Thomas Lacy III and the Pittsburg defense. Huskies go 3-0.

No. 5 Cajon of San Bernardino (2-0) at Murrieta Valley (0-1), Friday, 7:30pm

Manny’s Pick: Cajon

This has the makings of a great QB showdown with Cowboys QB Jayden Daniels and Nighthawks QB Hank Bachimeier, but Cajon has DB Kamron Forest to keep Bachimeier busy. Cajon gets another win and Murrieta Valley falls to 0-2.

Redlands East Valley (1-0) at No. 10 Upland (1-0), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Upland

REV got a big overtime win over La Habra last week thanks to WR Isaiah Holiness triple digit yardage game, but they run into RB Chris Davis and WR Taj Davis. Team Davis for the win. Upland takes it.

Norco (1-1) at Rancho Cucamonga (0-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Norco

Norco is looking to bounce back after dropping an 18 point lead last week in their loss to Servite of Anaheim. QB Shane Illingworth and RB DJ Ford will look to keep Norco on top over LB Derek Smith and Rancho Cucamonga. Norco for the win.

Santiago of Corona (1-1) at Eastlake of Chula Vista (1-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Santiago

The Sharks are legit this season. They took care of Murrieta Valley and then stayed with Rancho Verde of Moreno Valley. I expect RB Vincent Pacleb and SS Ryan Williams to chomp down on LB Josh McCurty and the Titans.

MANNY’S LOS ANGELES GAMES OF THE WEEK

Last Week LA Record: 3-2

Overall LA Record: 8-2

Mililani of Hawaii (3-0) at No. 1 St. John Bosco of Bellflower (2-0), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: St. John Bosco

RB George Holani and QB DJ Uiagalelei should probably play a lot more in this game than the other two games for the Braves. Bosco over the Trojans.

No. 7 Oaks Christian of Westlake Village (2-0) vs. Eastside Catholic of Sammamish, Washington (0-0) at Cathedral Catholic of San Diego, Saturday, 12pm   

Manny’s Pick: Oaks Christian

The Lions have been unstoppable so far and so has RB Zach Charbonnet and DE Kayvon Thibodeaux. Oaks Christian hands Eastside Catholic a season opening loss at the Honor Bowl.

No. 8 Serra of Gardena (1-0) at Cathedral Catholic of San Diego (1-1), Friday, 7:30pm

Manny’s Pick: Serra

It’s fair to say that QB Doug Brumfield had a pretty good game, just ask WR Melquan Stovall. If Serra can stop Dons RB Shawn Poma, then they should take another win at another Honor Bowl.   

Los Alamitos (0-1) vs. No. 11 Long Beach Poly (2-0) at Cerritos College of Norwalk, Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Long Beach Poly

RB Keanu Norman and the Los Al offense will have to find a way to avoid LB Elijah Juarez and DB Kejuan Markham, who took three interceptions to the house last week. Poly wins this neighborhood rivalry.

Lawndale (1-0) at No. 17 Calabasas (0-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Calabasas

The Coyotes are looking to bounce back after getting destroyed in their season opener at home. QB Jaden Casey will look for his core of wide receivers like Johnny Wilson as their defense will try to stop RB Jordan Wilmore. Calabasas bounces back and gets the W.

MANNY’S ORANGE COUNTY GAMES OF THE WEEK

Last Week OC Record: 4-1

Current OC Record: 8-2

No. 4 JSerra of San Juan Capistrano (2-0) at Bishop Amat of La Puente (2-0), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: JSerra

JSerra made sure their season opening win wasn’t a fluke after manhandling Calabasas. RB Chris Street and LB Jaden Genova should handle LB Fidel Cabral and the Lancers. JSerra is Bishop Amat second loss to a Trinity League…oh wait…

Roosevelt of Eastvale (2-0) at Tesoro of Rancho Santa Margarita (2-0), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Tesoro

The Titans are off to a great start, but they face a hot Roosevelt team. LB Brant Gass and QB Kyle Looft should sneak by RB Dorian Mars and the Mustangs. Tesoro moves to 3-0.

La Costa Canyon of Carlsbad (2-0) at San Clemente (1-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: San Clemente

After playing in San Diego for two games, the Tritons will have a San Diego visit them. WR Jaydel Jenkins and LB Rob Farney will hope to not make any costly mistakes against RB Karson Lippert and the LCC Mavs. San Clemente wins. #OneTownOneTeam

Villa Park (1-0) at Yucaipa (1-0), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Villa Park

The Spartans will look to their offense with QB Paul Piferi and WR Dylan Bonilla. It will be tough task for LB Chance Scott and the Yucaipa defense. Villa Park wins.

El Toro of Lake Forest (2-0) vs. Corona del Mar of Newport Beach (1-1) at Newport Harbor of Newport Beach, Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Corona del Mar

The Sea Kings haven’t been as impressive as I thought they would be and they’ll need QB Ethan Garbers to find another target because WR John Humphreys will be the guy El Toro will try to stop. I’m sure LM/WR Sam Whipple will be up to the task, but the Sea Kings will take this one.

MANNY’S SAN DIEGO GAMES OF THE WEEK

Last Week SD Record: 4-1

Current SD Record: 7-3

Saguaro of Scottsdale (1-1) vs. No. 19 Helix of La Mesa (1-1) at Cathedral Catholic of San Diego, Saturday, 4pm

Manny’s Pick: Helix

The Scots bounced back from a tough season opening loss. Meanwhile Saguaro suffered a one sided loss themselves this past weekend. RB Elelyon Noa and LB Michael Shawcroft should get by LB Will Shaffer. Helix takes care of one of the best teams in Arizona.

St. Augustine of San Diego (2-0) at Loyola of Los Angeles (1-0), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: St. Augustine

I’m going to have to go with the Saints offense with RB Byron Cardwell and WR Michael Ambagtsheer over QB Nathan Priestley and the Loyola offense.

San Marcos (2-0) at Oceanside (1-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: San Marcos

League play has begun…in August. Times have definitely changed, but QB Miles Hastings and LB Mitch Barnett should lead San Marcos over QB Kyrin Beachem and the Pirates to get the Avocado League win.   

Rancho Bernardo of San Diego (1-1) at Valley Center (1-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Rancho Bernardo

RB Tahj Martin is off to a great start for Rancho Bernardo and with help from his defense, led by DB Luke Manos, should get by RB superstar Mateo Sinohui and the Jaguars. Broncos buck away with the win.    

Bishop’s of La Jolla (1-1) at Mater Dei Catholic of Chula Vista (1-1), Friday, 7pm   

Manny’s Pick: Bishop’s

The Knights have a stud at wide receiver in Clarence Freeman IV. DE Champion Johnson should lead the Bishop’s defense over the Crusaders of Mater Dei Catholic.