PIGSKIN PROPHECIES

I am The Prophet. My identity is unimportant. All you must know is that I am the all-telling, mostly knowing, fearless high school football prognosticator. My primary mission is to enlighten The Times’ loyal readership with (to quote Webster’s) inspired declarations of divine will and purpose. And maybe pick a few upsets. Each Thursday I will make predictions based on my mystic knowledge. And each Thursday a mere mortal from The Times’ staff will be chosen to forecast against me. My first victim: prep football “expert” Paige A. Leech.

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Season totals for the Prophet: 0 for 0 (0%)

Season totals for Guests: 0 for 0 (0%)

GAME OF THE WEEK: Sylmar at Notre Dame

Although they are among the region’s best programs, Sylmar and Notre Dame have never met on the field. Sylmar is ranked No. 2 in The Times’ regional poll. Notre Dame, with Justin Fargas in the backfield, was top-ranked in the preseason last year. Notre Dame no longer has a game-breaker like Fargas, but Sylmar lacks something else: A victory over a Southern Section team this decade. The Spartans are 0-3, having lost to Bishop Amat in the 1992 Reebok Bowl and to Antelope Valley in nonconference games the last two seasons.

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THE PROPHET SAYS: Why not keep a good streak going? Sylmar has shown it can’t beat a good Southern Section team and Notre Dame, even without Fargas, is a good team. Besides, that other Notre Dame football team already has pulled off a major upset, beating Michigan last week. Ms. Leech will surely pick Sylmar, but her friends will tell you she would also pick the Spartans against the Denver Broncos. In a significant upset, Notre Dame, 10-7.

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LEECH SAYS: The Prophet appears to have tied his turban too tight. He should stick to his crystal ball and leave football to those who have actually covered a high school game this decade. Take it from a pregnant woman two weeks from delivery, size matters: Sylmar’s front five averages 6 feet 3 and 271 pounds and will win the battle at the line of scrimmage. The disciplined Knights are left to pray for divine intervention (i.e. Spartan penalties). Sylmar, 27-10.

OTHER TOP GAMES

Paraclete vs. St. Bonaventure at Ventura High (Tonight)

THE PROPHET SAYS: Paraclete sullied the Seraphs, 42-16, in an opener last year. St. Bonaventure strikes back like a (Jon) Mack truck in the rematch. St. Bonaventure, 28-21.

LEECH SAYS: Paraclete goes to the air early and often, and finds friendly skies against a defense which returns only three starters. Paraclete, 35-14.

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Westlake at Buena

THE PROPHET SAYS: Westlake is a heavy favorite and most people expect the high-powered Warriors to win in a waltz. Wrong! Westlake, 35-28.

LEECH SAYS: Westlake’s experience is at the skill positions. Buena’s is on the offensive line. High scoring affair ensues. Westlake, 31-28.

THE REST

Hart at Quartz Hill: The Prophet: Check back with me Sept. 24, when Hart plays Sylmar. The Indians airmail this one in. Hart, 42-7. Leech: Hart, 41-7.

Highland vs. Valencia at Canyon HS: The Prophet: Manuel White missed a few practices last week with a virus. Too bad for Highland he’s back. Valencia, 28-10. Leech: Valencia, 21-10.

Bakersfield at Antelope Valley: The Prophet: I love AV football. I love AV Coach Brent Newcomb. Bakersfield, 20-10. Leech: Bakersfield, 31-14.

Taft at Banning: The Prophet: Doesn’t matter who the Taft quarterback is. Banning is back--but not that far back. Taft, 21-14. Leech: Taft, 20-7.

Granada Hills at North Hollywood: The Prophet: Would the Highlanders lose in Coach Darryl Stroh’s return? Not unless they’d like to walk home. Granada Hills, 14-7. Leech: Granada Hills, 14-0.

Crespi at Chaminade: The Prophet: First team to score twice wins. Crespi, 14-6. Leech: Crespi, 10-7.

Crescenta Valley at Thousand Oaks: The Prophet: CV won, 31-14, last year. But that was with Kenny Pritchett. A minor upset. Thousand Oaks, 14-13. Leech: Crescenta Valley, 17-14.

Dorsey at El Camino Real: The Prophet: The Conquistadores are big, but they no longer have Quincy Wright. Dorsey, 20-14. Leech: Dorsey, 31-7.

Agoura at Calabasas: The Prophet: If the Coyotes really expect to contend for a division championship they’d better win this one. Calabasas, 17-7. Leech: Calabasas, 21-0.

Rio Mesa vs. Saugus at Col. of the Canyons: The Prophet: The biggest bust of last football season, we’ll give the Centurions another chance to disappoint. Saugus, 21-14. Leech: Rio Mesa, 14-7.

Chatsworth at Reseda: The Prophet: If this were baseball, this game would be easier to pick. Chatsworth, 20-14. Leech: Chatsworth, 21-20.

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Games are Friday unless noted