PIGSKIN PROPHECIES

The gods of football prophecies are being too kind. Last week, they sacrificed a copy editor to me. He was soundly drubbed in picks, 11-6, and points, 21-8. Now I get Tris Wykes, whose favorite “sports” are ice hockey and soccer. At this rate, next week I’ll be put up against Kathy Lee. The big game this week will be played on Saturday, when Hart, top-ranked in the region by The Times, meets undefeated Loyola at Glendale High. Here’s a safe prediction: The stadium will be packed. It’s Loyola’s home game, but expect Hart to hold a slight edge as crowd favorite. The reason: Fans from parochial high schools from across the Valley and Ventura County will be rooting against recruiting nemesis Loyola.

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THE PROPHET: Season totals for The Prophet: 40 of 60 (67%), 68 points

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TRIS WYKES: Season totals for the guests: 38 of 60 (63%), 56 points

GAME OF THE WEEK (5 points)

Hart vs. Loyola at Glendale High (Saturday)

THE PROPHET SAYS: Hart’s offense hasn’t been stopped, and only rarely has been slowed. Yet who would dare pick against Loyola in the regular season except maybe when the Cubs run into Bishop Amat? Hmmmmmm, Mr. Futbol and I both would. This is Hart’s season. Hart, 35-20.

WYKES SAYS: I became a Kyle Boller believer after watching him ravage all comers during a summer passing tournament. My sources say Hart’s quarterback will throw for 350 yards and four touchdowns to tree the Cubs. Hart, 48-16.

OTHER TOP GAMES (each 3 points)

El Camino Real at Kennedy

THE PROPHET SAYS: Next to Granada Hills’ rise and Sylmar’s demise, El Camino Real is the biggest surprise among the region’s City Section teams. Just ask San Fernando. El Camino Real, 21-13.

WYKES SAYS: The Golden Cougars, coming off an upset of previously undefeated Chatsworth last week, figure to be strutting even more after a third consecutive victory. Kennedy, 26-22.

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Alemany at Canyon

THE PROPHET SAYS: Westlake, which had the region’s best recruiting year, downed Canyon last week. Alemany, which had the region’s second-best recruiting year (and has more of them eligible to play), will manage to do the same. But it’ll be close. Alemany, 16-14.

WYKES SAYS: Will Alemany’s slew of talented skill players run wild against resurgent Canyon? Is the Prophet’s turban two sizes too tight? That’s a yes to both questions. Here’s betting my unworthy opponent’s glass eye that the Indians pull out a victory despite a stingy Cowboy defense. Alemany, 24-21.

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Moorpark at Agoura

THE PROPHET SAYS: Like I said last week, Agoura fans love it when I pick against them. This is a win-win situation. They have a reason to call and insult me (again), and I still get my victory--in this case Moorpark’s 18th in a row. Moorpark, 28-14.

WYKES SAYS: Unranked Moorpark will be the surprise of the Marmonte League. The “Mouseketeers,” as some rivals have derisively called them, start making a name for themselves in Division IV as they improve to 5-0. Moorpark, 20-12.

THE REST (each 1 point)

Harvard-Westlake vs. St. Bonaventure at Ventura High (tonight): The Prophet: Harvard-Westlake is undefeated. Until tonight. St. Bonaventure, 20-14. Wykes: St. Bonaventure, 27-18.

Taft at San Fernando: The Prophet: For a couple of weeks there, San Fernando was ranked ahead of Taft in The Times’ regional poll. Just goes to show you can’t believe everything you read. Taft, 31-20. Wykes: Taft, 41-21.

Granada Hills at Cleveland: The Prophet: Take away two pro-size field goals by Birmingham’s John Wall and a give-away late touchdown by Royal and Granada Hills would have three shutouts. Granada Hills, 21-7. Wykes: Granada Hills, 24-20.

Reseda at Grant: The Prophet: Reseda was blanked by Van Nuys last week. ‘Nuf said. Grant, 24-6. Wykes: Grant, 18-4.

Burroughs vs. Crescenta Valley at Glendale High: The Prophet: Peter Yoon, our “expert” on the Foothill and Pacific leagues, says to take Burroughs. Geez, Peter, we need to have you pick against The Prophet sometime real soon. Crescenta Valley, 20-12. Wykes: Burroughs, 23-17.

Valencia at Quartz Hill: The Prophet: I’m tired of honking up Manuel White, picking Valencia, and losing. So this time I won’t honk up White. Valencia, 31-10. Wykes: Valencia, 34-12.

Capistrano Valley at Littlerock: The Prophet: Capistrano Valley’s only loss came against Orange County powerhouse Edison (unintentional pun). Littlerock hasn’t played a team worth losing to. Until now. Capistrano Valley, 20-13. Wykes: Capistrano Valley, 17-16.

Temple City at Chaminade: The Prophet: Three of Chaminade’s games have come down to the wire. Not this time. Temple City trailed Hoover at the half last week. Chaminade, 24-14. Wykes: Chaminade, 17-14.

Westlake at Royal: The Prophet: Opponents have grumbled about the transfers taken in by both these teams. Hey, it hasn’t helped Royal. Westlake, 35-6. Wykes: Westlake, 45-3.

Ventura at Oxnard: The Prophet: After being torched by San Marcos’ Bradlee Van Pelt last week, Oxnard finds an opponent it can compete with. But not beat. Ventura, 26-21. Wykes: Oxnard, 22-21.

Thousand Oaks at Rio Mesa: The Prophet: With Wes Cobos, Thousand Oaks has a strong running game. Far weaker units have run through Rio Mesa. Thousand Oaks, 28-14. Wykes: Rio Mesa, 13-10.