Manny’s World: Week 5 So Cal Picks
So far i’m 73 out of 100. Not a bad winning percentage, but I owe 27 apologies. That’s a lot. Anyway, here are my picks.
Last Week Record: 14-6
Current Overall Record: 73-27
MANNY’S INLAND EMPIRE GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week’s IE Record: 4-1
Current IE Record: 18-7
Heritage of Romoland (2-2) at No. 7 Cajon of San Bernardino (4-0) Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Cajon
The Patriots are on a losing streak…I’m going to repeat that. The Patriots are on a losing streak. LB Ika Tuatala will look to get Heritage back on track, but it will be brutally tough with QB Jayden Daniels and WR Dante Jones and the rest of the Cowboys in front of them. Cajon wins and Heritage loses three games in a season since 2009.
Colony of Ontario (3-1) vs. Redlands East Valley (2-2) at Redlands, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Redlands East Valley
The Wildcats are running wild with QB Myles Herrera and SS Brandon Stallone leading each side. RB Elijah Monroe will keep it close for Colony. I’m going with a close victory for Redlands East Valley.
Temecula Valley (3-1) at Paloma Valley of Menifee (2-2), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Paloma Valley
The Golden Bears have improved a lot and might be a playoff team. Temecula Valley Coach Bert Esposito is back at Paloma Valley, where he coached for years. He’ll have LB Anson Pulsipher leading the way, but RB Mason Carvalho and LB Jacob Torres will be too much. Wildcats get the win.
Yucaipa (2-2) at Silverado of Victorville (1-4), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Yucaipa
I wanted to order the upset special, but I’m pretty full. I’ll have to go with QB Keo McChesney, WR Adam Vasquez and the Thunderbirds over Silverado WR Devin Gandy.
Brea Olinda (3-2) at Ayala of Chino Hills (4-0), 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Ayala
WR David Diaz and LB Daniel Gray will lead the Bulldogs to victory over RB Christian Steward and the Brea Olinda offense. Brea Olinda losses another heartbreaker.
MANNY’S LOS ANGELES GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week LA Record: 4-1
Current LA Record: 20-5
Cathedral of Los Angeles (4-1) at No. 16 Serra of Gardena (2-2), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Serra
The Cavaliers are coming off a heartbreaking double overtime loss to Narbonne last week. QB Doug Brumfield will look to get Serra back on track with some help from WR Lavon Bunkley. DT Stephon Wright and the Phantoms don’t want to lose two in a row, but it will be tough to avoid that. Serra wins.
No. 13 Calabasas (3-1) at Valencia (2-2), 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Calabasas
The Coyotes will bring their powerful passing game to Valencia. I’m sure fans will love to see another high scoring game like last year when the Coyotes defeated Valencia 65-63. QB Jaden Casey will look for his many weapons, mainly WR Mycah Pittman, but the Vikings have QB Davis Cop to throw to the air, but Calabasas wins this in what we hope is another high scoring game.
Lawndale (3-1) at No. 19 Narbonne of Harbor City (2-3), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Narbonne
The Gauchos are done with the toughest part of the schedule and got a boost with a double overtime win over Serra. Lawndale is still a very tough team and RB Jordan Wilmore will look to take a big win. Narbonne has a running back of their own in Marceese Watts. With QB Jaylen Henderson in front of him, Narbonne should take about W and get to .500.
Grace Brethren of Simi Valley (3-2) at No. 20 Westlake of Westlake Village (5-0), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Westlake
The Warriors are rocking it on both sides with LB De’Gabriel Floyd and WR Jason Heller, but it will be a tough task to stop RB Lontrelle Diggs and the Grace Brethren offense. Westlake goes undefeated before heading into Marmonte League play.
Simi Valley (4-1) at Moorpark (3-1), 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Moorpark
Simi Valley has improved a lot under new coach Jim Benkert, but facing WR Drake London and RB Alec Powell and the Musketeers offense will be a tall order. RB Jackson Sterling will keep the Pioneers in it, but it will be all Moorpark.
MANNY’S ORANGE COUNTY GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week OC Record: 4-1
Current OC Record: 19-6
No. 2 Mater Dei of Santa Ana (3-1) vs. IMG Academy of Bradenton, FL (3-0) at Santa Ana Stadium, Friday, 7:30pm
Manny’s Pick: Mater Dei
I’ve been waiting for this game to happen for quite some time and I’m sure many fans did too. Mater Dei is loaded, as always with USC-commit QB Bryce Young and WR Bru McCoy. IMG Academy QB David Baldwin, a former QB from Upland, and RB Trey Sanders will make this exciting as advertised. The Monarchs will take a big victory and head into Trinity League play on a high note.
No. 8 Orange Lutheran (3-1) vs. No. 6 Mission Viejo (5-0) at Orange Coast College of Costa Mesa, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Orange Lutheran
Maybe I’m just a fan favorite, but South Carolina-commit QB Ryan Hilinski has been as good as advertised for OLu and it helps to have WR Kyle Ford on your side. Mission Viejo has a quarterback of their own in Arizona State-commit Joey Yellen. I’m going with the Lancers in this one.
San Clemente (1-4) vs. Edison of Huntington Beach (2-2) at Huntington Beach, Thursday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: San Clemente
The Tritons are ona four game losing streak and that hasn’t happen in awhile. QB Brendan Costello and WR Jaydel Jenkins will look to finally get San Clemente another win, but they already know that no lead is safe and they also know WR Cole Koffler will look to keep Edison in it no matter who is at quarterback. In the end, San Clemente will end their losing streak.
Los Alamitos (3-1) at Tesoro of Rancho Santa Margarita (4-1), 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Los Alamitos
Both teams are equal, but a lose to San Juan Hills last week makes me think twice about the Titans, so I’ll go with Los Alamitos.
Laguna Beach (3-1) at Estancia of Costa Mesa (3-1), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Laguna Beach
Both teams are going to fight for playoff spots in league play. Laguna Beach has QB Andrew Johnson (not the former 17th President of the United States) and they’ll go against one of the top rushers in the OC in Estancia RB Trevor Pacheco. The Breakers will take this coast battle. Surfs up!
MANNY’S SAN DIEGO GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week SD Record: 2-3
Current SD Record: 18-7
Steele Canyon of Spring Valley (3-1) at Mira Mesa of San Diego (4-0), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Steele Canyon
The Cougars are looking for some final prep work before heading into Grossmont-Hills League play and SS Chance Johnson will look to lead the defense with RB Nathan Barnett leading the offense. The Marauders will hope that RB Elijah Lynch can lead them past the defending CIF State Champs. Steele Canyon will take this one.
Christian of El Cajon (4-0) at Santa Fe Christian of Solana Beach (3-1), Friday, 3:30pm
Manny’s Pick: Christian
Since I was a wide receiver myself way back in the day, I’m going with Patriots passing game led by QB Owen Easley and WR Alex Gonzalez over Santa Fe Christian running game led by RB Jack Miles. Christian wins this CIF-SDS Division III battle.
Eastlake of Chula Vista (4-1) at El Camino of Oceanside (1-3), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Eastlake
The Titans defense is outstanding. LB Josh McCurty and DB Alfonso Alvarado should keep it going for Eastlake. Wildcats RB Rense Garner will try to stop Eastlake defense, but I’m going with the Titans.
Poway (3-2) at Grossmont of El Cajon (1-3), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Poway
The Titans are a running team with RB Josh Butler. LB Daniel Kries will look to stop the Grossmont running game while LB Chris Alba will try to do the same for the Foothillers. Poway gets the victory.
Bishop’s of La Jolla (2-2) vs. Monte Vista of Spring Valley (3-1) at La Jolla, Friday, 6:30pm
Manny’s Pick: Monte Vista
Monte Vista have one of the best running backs in the Southland in Jahmon McClendon. Bishop’s have a stud at wide receiver in Clarence Freeman IV, but McClendon is too much. Monarchs for the win.