PIGSKIN PROPHECIES

A tip of the swami’s turban to Sylmar Coach Jeff Engilman, who put together a nonleague schedule so intriguing his football team is making its third consecutive appearance under the “Game of the Week.” Now if only the Spartans (0-1-1) can mix in a victory. Hart, meanwhile, keeps cruising along. The Indians have won twice in blowouts, even though their first victory was stolen by forfeit. Last week, The Prophet defeated columnist Eric Sondheimer, the world’s alleged “prep expert” (we both were 10 of 15, but I had a 14-12 edge in points). The Prophet picks against Michael Lazarus today. Picture this: I’m Hart. He’s Sylmar.

THE PROPHET

Season totals for The Prophet: 20 of 30 (67%), 32 points

MICHAEL LAZARUS

Season totals for the guests: 22 of 30 (73%), 30 points

GAME OF THE WEEK (5 points)

Sylmar vs. Hart at Col. of the Canyons (Tonight)

THE PROPHET SAYS: See if this sounds familiar: Sylmar can’t beat a good Southern Section team. It was true last week (a tie) and it was true the week before that. And Hart is better than a good Southern Section team. The Indians have already lost the only regular-season game they will lose this season--and that wasn’t even on the field. Hart, 35-14.

LAZARUS SAYS: My delusional counterpart seems to think (visualize?) the Southern Section rules the City Section. Earth to swami: City teams from the region are 3-3-1 against the Southern Section this year. Unfortunately, that won’t help Sylmar. The Spartans might give up more yards passing tonight than they will in the next seven weeks against the grounded Valley Pac-8 Conference. Hart 38, Sylmar 20.

OTHER TOP GAMES (each 3 points)

Valencia at Serra

THE PROPHET SAYS: These are two good football teams. But there’s only one Manuel White, and Valencia has him. The only question is, how well will the Vikings travel? Valencia, 28-21.

LAZARUS SAYS: White improved his rushing total by 107 yards last week, from 72 to 179. Does this mean he’ll hit 286 against Serra? Not quite, but you get the idea. Valencia, 36-24.

El Camino Real at Westlake

THE PROPHET SAYS: Westlake Coach Jim Benkert is a former El Camino Real receiver, and you know what that means. You do? Then you got one on me. All I know for sure is the Warriors will win this one. Westlake, 28-14.

LAZARUS SAYS: El Camino Real found a kicker after an extra point would have made the difference in a season-opening tie with Dorsey. The Conquistadores need more than a kicker against the Warriors. Westlake, 28-14.

Crescenta Valley at Canyon

THE PROPHET SAYS: Crescenta Valley is young, coming off a nice victory over Mr. Fumblerooski and should get better every week. Canyon, also 2-0, gets Drew Welch back, giving the Cowboys two horses in the backfield. Tough call. Crescenta Valley, 17-14.

LAZARUS SAYS: Canyon has allowed only 13 points; Crescenta Valley 27. Crescenta Valley held on for a 21-16 victory last year but won’t do the same in enemy territory. Canyon, 13-10.

THE REST (each 1 point)

Taft vs. Dorsey at Jackie Robinson Stadium: The Prophet: Taft bounced back nicely last week after being thumped by Banning, which turned around and lost by a point to a top Long Beach Poly team. Taft, 24-14. Lazarus: Taft, 21-20.

Birmingham at Reseda: The Prophet: If Birmingham can’t beat Van Nuys, it can’t win this one. Reseda, 14-7. Lazarus: Reseda, 14-13.

Crespi at Lancaster: The Prophet: I’m 2-0 with Crespi. Crespi is 2-0 with me. Lancaster, 14-13. Lazarus: Crespi, 17-14.

San Fernando at Grant: The Prophet: The Tigers are overrated, but they lost to Grant last year and won’t do it again. San Fernando, 22-13. Lazarus: San Fernando, 20-7.

Chatsworth at Poly: The Prophet: Chatsworth is 2-0 against Valley Pac-8 Conference teams this season. Make it three. Chatsworth, 35-21. Lazarus: Chatsworth, 38-21.

Notre Dame vs. Saugus at Col. of the Canyons: The Prophet: After making me look like, well, a prophet in Week 1, Notre Dame deserves a rest before its showdown with Alemany. Notre Dame, 35-7. Lazarus: Notre Dame, 42-7.

Granada Hills at Simi Valley: The Prophet: The Highlanders go for--and get--a sweep of Simi Valley teams. Granada Hills, 21-0. Lazarus: Granada Hills, 19-7.

Newbury Park vs. Buena at Ventura High: The Prophet: Buena Coach Rick Scott, a former Newbury Park assistant, knows the Panthers inside and out. Doesn’t matter. Newbury Park has an offense. Newbury Park, 28-14. Lazarus: Buena, 32-27.

Ventura at Royal: The Prophet: I have a hard time picking a team that lost to Granada Hills. I’ll do it anyway. Royal, 20-13. Lazarus: Ventura, 14-13.

Agoura at Rio Mesa: The Prophet: Defensive end Kevin Mack of Rio Mesa hits like a truck. There’s an original line. Rio Mesa, 21-20. Lazarus: Agoura, 20-16.

Hueneme at Hawthorne: The Prophet: Hawthorne lost last week, 51-6. Hueneme opened in The Times’ regional Top 10. Boy were we wrong. Hawthorne, 21-14. Lazarus: Hawthorne, 34-16.