Manny’s World: Week 9 SoCal Football Picks
Photo courtesy of @CarlsbadHS
Well last week was definitely interesting.
Mother Nature wasn’t being nice to a lot of these games and as you can see, I have two ties which means two games were cancelled.
Hopefully this weekend goes much more smoothly.
Here’s my Week 9 picks of the 20 top games in Southern California.
MANNY’S TOP SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMES FOR WEEK 9
Manny’s Overall Record: 137-41-2
Last Week’s Overall Record: 12-6-2
MANNY’S INLAND EMPIRE GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week IE Record: 4-1
Overall IE Record: 36-9
Norco (6-2, 2-1) at Roosevelt of Eastvale (5-3, 2-1), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Norco
The Mustangs might be in a must win situation. Lose and they will have to hope for an at-large berth. RB DJ Ford might be too much to handle for Roosevelt. Norco takes it.
Citrus Hill of Perris (8-0, 3-0) at San Jacinto (8-0, 3-0), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: San Jacinto
The Mountain Pass League title is on the line. Both teams are undefeated and Citrus Hill has been on top of the Mountain Pass League since 2006. TE/DB Kaleb Hervey will lead San Jacinto to victory and end CItrus Hill league title streak.
JW North of Riverside (4-4, 3-0) at Orange Vista of Perris (7-1, 3-0), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: JW North
The Inland Valley League title is on the line and I’m sure no one would have thought Orange Vista would be battling for a league title in just their second year playing varsity football. I would love to see the Coyotes win, but JW North has played a tougher schedule and will be prepared for an opponent like this. Jarrell Calhoun will lead the Huskies to victory, but credit to Orange Vista on becoming a winner from the gate.
Granite Hills of Apple Valley (7-1, 2-0) vs. Silverado of Victorville (4-5, 3-0) at Apple Valley, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Silverado
The Desert Sky League title is on the line, but I expect the Hawks to run away with this one in their regular season finale. RB Nick Reed-Casey leads Silverado to a league title.
Moreno Valley (5-2, 4-0) at Rubidoux of Riverside (4-4, 4-0), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Moreno Valley
We have another league title up for grabs and this one is for the Mountain Valley League. Moreno Valley will look to their secondary, led by DB/WR Leroy Louis, to lead them to a league title over the Falcons.
MANNY’S LOS ANGELES GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week LA Record: 2-3
Overall LA Record: 34-11
No. 5 Oaks Christian of Westlake Village (8-0, 2-0) at No. No. 13 Calabasas (7-1, 2-0), Friday, 7:30pm
Manny’s Pick: Oaks Christian
As expected, the Marmonte League title runs through these two teams. DB Kayvon Thibodeaux and WR Bryce Farrell will lead Oaks Christian in a close one over QB Jaden Cadey and the Coyotes.
Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks (5-3, 2-1) at No. 16 Alemany of Mission Hills (6-2, 2-1), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Notre Dame
This one was a tough one to pick, but I went into my science lab and looked at my formula. The Knights beat Serra and Serra beat Alemany. According to my calculations, WR McKel Broussard will lead Notre Dame to an important victory.
St. Francis of La Canada (5-3, 1-0) at Cathedral of Los Angeles (6-2, 1-0), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Cathedral
Both these team will battle for the Angelus League title once again. I have tremendous respect for St. Francis coach Jim Bonds, but I have to stick with DE Stephon Wright and the Phantoms in this one.
Knight of Palmdale (7-1, 5-0) at Highland of Palmdale (8-0, 5-0), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Highland
Knight is coming off an impressive win over Antelope Valley of Lancaster last week to set themselves up for the Golden League title, but WR/DB Demani Johnson won’t let the Bulldogs get fooled. Highland takes the W.
Eagle Rock of Los Angeles (8-0, 3-0) at Franklin of Los Angeles (8-0, 3-0), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Eagle Rock
The Northern League title is on the line in this CIF-Los Angeles City Section matchup. QB Alfred Bobadilla will look to lead the Panthers to victory, but I have to stick with Eagle Rock in this as they stay on top of the Northern League and stay undefeated.
MANNY’S ORANGE COUNTY GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week’s OC Record: 4-1
Overall OC Record: 35-10
No. 3 Mater Dei of Santa Ana (6-2, 2-1) at No. 4 JSerra of San Juan Capistrano (7-1, 2-1), 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Mater Dei
This is going to be a good one. I expect a close one and I also expect the Monarchs to bounce back from a tough loss to newly top ranked St. John Bosco of Bellflower. I have to go with WR Bru McCoy and the Mater Dei offense over RB Chris Street and the Lions offense. Mater Dei bounces back.
No. 6 Mission Viejo (4-4, 2-0) at San Clemente (5-4, 3-0), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Mission Viejo
The Diablos are now in a must win situation after forfeiting four wins. QB Joey Yellen will be up to the tough task and lead Mission Viejo past a red hot Tritons squad in the South Coast League championship game.
Servite of Anaheim (4-3, 1-2) vs. No. 12 Orange Lutheran (4-4, 1-2) at Cerritos College of Norwalk, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Servite
OLu is a bit banged up and face a Friars squad that is coming off an important win. As much as I love QB Ryan Hilinski and the Lancers, I have to go with Servite in a close one.
Savanna of Anaheim (7-1, 3-0) vs. Katella of Anaheim (7-0, 3-0) at Glover Stadium of Anaheim, Thursday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Katella
The Orange League title is up for grabs and Savanna is going to make sure they don’t repeat last years outcome, but with RB Edward Williams leading the Knights offense, it will be deja vu all over again. It will be another Orange League win for Katella and another league title too.
Santiago of Garden Grove (5-3, 2-1) vs. Loara of Anaheim (6-2, 3-0) at Garden Grove, Thursday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Loara
The Saxons are having a fantastic season after five dismal seasons. QB Matt Blackney will lead Loara past the Cavaliers and set up a Garden Grove League title game with Rancho Alamitos.
MANNY’S SAN DIEGO GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week’s San Diego Record: 2-1-2
Overall San Diego Record: 32-11-2
Helix of La Mesa (5-3, 3-0) at Granite Hills of El Cajon (8-0, 3-0), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Helix
The Scots have been on a roll, but they run into their toughest opponent since St. Augustine of San Diego. QB Chase Osborn should lead Helix past the Eagles to stay on top of the Grossmont-Hills League.
La Costa Canyon of Carlsbad (6-1, 2-1) at Carlsbad (4-3, 1-2), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: La Costa Canyon
The Mavs are looking to set up a possible Avocado League title game. RB Karson Lippert will lead La Costa Canyon to victory and prepare for a showdown with Torrey Pines of San Diego.
Kearny of San Diego (8-0, 2-0) at San Diego (6-1, 2-0), Friday, 6:30pm
Manny’s Pick: San Diego
The CIty League title is up for grabs in this matchup. DB Jayden Wickware will lead the Cavers to victory over Kearny as they stay on top of the league.
Mar Vista of Imperial Beach (6-2, 1-0) at Hilltop of Chula Vista (3-5, 1-0), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Mar Vista
The Metro-South Bay League title is on the line in this matchup. Mar Vista will bring their strength of schedule to the table and take the victory. The Mariners will end on top of the league.
Southwest of San Diego (4-4, 1-0) at Castle Park of Chula Vista (4-2, 1-0), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Southwest
With the Metro-Pacific League title up for grabs, I have to go with WR Omar Platas and the Raiders over Castle Park.
