Pigskin Prophecies

As the regular season winds down, The Prophet is looking to extend his lead. Proof positive: Mike Bresnahan has been asked to serve as opponent (read: victim). Bresnahan, The Times’ Del Rey League beat writer, once carried the spit bucket for an eight-man football squad from Buckley High, a school that has since given up fielding a team. But I have to give him some credit. He knows he will face the wrath of Notre Dame coaches by picking Loyola in our Game of the Week. (Confidential to Notre Dame assistant Jeff Kraemer: Think of the fun you’ll have if you win!) Last week The Prophet went 11-4. That’s good even for a swami.

GAME OF THE WEEK (5 points)

Loyola at Notre Dame

THE PROPHET SAYS: The gutty little Knights earned more respect by playing Bishop Amat close than they did by winning their seven previous games. Staying in the same area code as Loyola would constitute another moral victory. Don’t you hate those? Loyola, 28-14.

OTHER TOP GAMES (each 3 points)

El Camino Real vs Taft at Canoga Park HS (tonight)

THE PROPHET SAYS: Taft got a scare from Chatsworth last week, but the Toreadors will be in top form for this television game. A Taft victory sets up a conference-championship showdown next week against Granada Hills. Taft, 24-14.

Canyon vs. Valencia at College of the Canyons

THE PROPHET SAYS: Even injured, Manuel White is among the region’s top running backs. He showed that in a gutty effort against Hart last week. But against a Canyon defense led by linebacker David Johnson, his best again won’t be enough. Canyon, 23-22.

Crespi at Alemany

THE PROPHET SAYS: Let’s see, Alemany comes off a victory over previously unbeaten St. Paul. Crespi comes off a loss to St. Francis. Duh! Alemany, 35-15.

Loyola at Notre Dame

BRESNAHAN SAYS: Loyola beat Alemany by 40; Notre Dame beat Alemany by one. If I had any math skills, I’d pick Loyola by 39. I hated math in high school. But I still like Loyola, 28-16.

OTHER TOP GAMES

El Camino Real vs. Taft at Canoga Park

BRESNAHAN SAYS: Last week, Coach Rick Hayashida put on the football pads and hit with his El Camino Real players before their game. If he’s smart, Hayashida will suit up again this week. . . and sneak into Taft’s hitting drills. If not . . . Taft, 28-17.

Canyon vs. Valencia

BRESNAHAN SAYS: Manuel White is actually healthy, which means the Valencia offense won’t be ailing. Besides, Magic Mountain is in Valencia, and you just can’t beat the loop-de-loop on the Revolution. Valencia, 33-14.

Crespi at Alemany

BRESNAHAN: Alemany’s defense had been as strong as a wet paper towel until stopping St. Paul last week. Now Crespi’s playing porous defense. Here’s picking Alemany to be the quicker picker-upper. Alemany, 34-20.

THE REST (1 point each)

* Chatsworth at Granada Hills: The Prophet: John Elway and Granada Hills are both undefeated since Elway’s name went up over Granada Hills’ football stadium. Granada Hills, 37-22. Bresnahan: Granada Hills, 35-27.

* Sylmar at Reseda: The Prophet: Would people say I was (Joseph) Looney if I picked a Reseda upset. Hey, the turban isn’t that tight. Sylmar, 34-12. Bresnahan: Sylmar, 45-18.

* Kilpatrick vs. Paraclete at Antelope Valley College: The Prophet: Did I really pick L.A. Baptist over Paraclete last week? Truly mystical. Paraclete, 28-20. Bresnahan: Paraclete, 35-17.

* Palmdale at Littlerock: The Prophet: A Palmdale victory would likely result in a three-way tie for first going into the final game of the regular season. Littlerock saves us the mess. Littlerock, 22-14. Bresnahan: Littlerock, 5-4.

* Crescenta Valley at Glendale: The Prophet: Angelo Walker of Glendale is a top big-play threat at receiver. Glendale would need several big plays. Crescenta Valley, 28-14. Bresnahan: Crescenta Valley, 20-12.

* Thousand Oaks at Moorpark: The Prophet: Wes Cobos of Thousand Oaks and Art Garcia of Moorpark are very similar running backs. The difference: The Thousand Oaks line allows Cobos more running room. Thousand Oaks, 28-17. Bresnahan: Thousand Oaks, 24-22.

* Buena at Ventura: The Prophet: Most rivalry games tend to be low scoring. Not this one. Ventura, 41-28. Bresnahan: Buena, 28-21.

* Westlake at Simi Valley: The Prophet: When its players are healthy--and they are--Westlake is downright scary. Westlake, 42-14. Bresnahan: Westlake, 35-14.

* Nordhoff at Calabasas: The Prophet: As I’ve been saying all along, the road to a Frontier League championship goes through Dallas (Enoch). Calabasas, 21-6. Bresnahan: Calabasas, 18-16.

* St. Bonaventure at Carpinteria: The Prophet: Coach Coley Candaele of Carpinteria suspended 12 starters from this league-championship showdown because they broke the school’s honor code. Give the man a medal (cuz he’s not gonna get a first-place trophy). St. Bonaventure, 22-8. Bresnahan: St. Bonaventure, 26-17.

* St. Paul at St. Francis: The Prophet: St. Francis laid down the (Murice) Law against Crespi. St. Paul is more likely to lay the Law down. St. Paul, 28-7. Bresnahan: St. Paul, 38-20.

Season totals for The Prophet: 80 of 120 (67%) 132 points.

Season totals for the guests: 77 of 120 (64%) 121 points.