PIGSKIN PROPHECIES

Tom Hamilton estimates he reported on some 750 prep football games in the 24 years he covered Orange County high schools for The Times before retiring in 1993. Did that experience teach him anything? He’s the guest this week. Read his picks and you be the judge. Just keep in mind he has taken in a lot of pure oxygen in the 6 1/2 years he has been living in Bend, Ore. Last week, The Prophet defeated Craig Fertig by one game and one point. Through eight weeks, only one guest has defeated The Prophet--that pesky freelance makeup artist and Trabuco Hills fan, Ramona Rapley.

THE PROPHET

Season totals for The Prophet: 82-38 (68%) 142 points

TOM HAMILTON

Season totals for the guests: 67-53 (56%) 117 points

GAME OF THE WEEK (5 points)

Santa Margarita vs. Mater Dei at Edison Field, Saturday

THE PROPHET SAYS: Yeah, I know that half of Orange County--OK, to be honest, way more than half--gets sick of reading about Mater Dei being the best team around. What can I say? This year, it doesn’t take that much. Mater Dei, 42-21.

HAMILTON SAYS: Santa Margarita won the Transfer Bowl during the off-season and now will win on the field. The last football game I attended in Orange County was at the same site in the 1993 Division I championship, and Mater Dei Coach Bruce Rollinson was nearly speechless following a 56-3 loss to Rialto Eisenhower. Don’t fret, Bruce. Gary McKnight will make up for the lack of transfers during basketball season. Santa Margarita, 28-21.

OTHER TOP GAMES (3 points)

Brea Olinda vs. Savanna at Western HS, Tonight

THE PROPHET SAYS: This is a “top game?” Then I saw Hamilton’s pick, blinked hard, wiped off the crystal ball just to make sure, looked again and wondered . . . What has he been sniffing up in Bend? Brea Olinda, 35-14.

HAMILTON SAYS: The last time I predicted Brea Olinda Coach Jon Looney would lose, he was coaching the North team in the Orange County All-Star game. Here’s a secret, Jon: I did that to help fire up your team, which looked lackadaisical in practices. Consider this another favor. Savanna, 23-21.

Fountain Valley vs. Edison at Orange Coast College, Friday

THE PROPHET SAYS: Fountain Valley’s top running backs are averaging eight punishing yards per carry. Come the fourth quarter, that pounding takes its toll . . . on the opposing defense. Fountain Valley, 35-30.

HAMILTON SAYS: Edison boosters and alumni will be feasting on Baron of Beef at the Bash Before the Clash, and then an inspired Charger team will win one for a retiring coach--Bill Workman--who put the school on the map in the 1970s and 1980s. I can still see Edison quarterback Ken Major going for two in a never-to-be forgotten victory over Fountain Valley at the Big A. Edison, 35-31.

El Toro at Mission Viejo, Friday

THE PROPHET SAYS: Don’t feel bad, Tom. There are people in Mission Viejo who can’t believe Johnson is coaching at Mission Viejo, either. Still winning, too. Mission Viejo, 28-20.

HAMILTON SAYS: I can’t believe Bob Johnson is at Mission Viejo. Someone once painted Johnson’s house red before a Mission Viejo-El Toro game when he was El Toro’s coach. This is a tough call. Johnson and El Toro Coach Mike Milner were among my favorites during my tenure. Mission Viejo, 21-17.

THE REST (1 point each)

* Irvine vs. Laguna Hills at Mission Viejo HS, Tonight: The Prophet: With a victory, Laguna Hills can wrap up second place in the Sea View League. Won’t happen. Irvine, 21-14. Hamilton: Irvine, 14-6.

* Kennedy vs. Katella at Glover Stadium, Tonight: The Prophet: The Fighting Irish are 5-0 when they score more than a touchdown. Make it 6-0. Kennedy, 28-12. Hamilton: Kennedy, 40-6.

* Marina vs. Esperanza at Valencia HS, Tonight: The Prophet: Here’s an upset--Hamilton picking against a team from his beloved Huntington Beach. Hmmm, not a bad pick. Esperanza, 15-14. Hamilton: Esperanza, 28-20.

* La Habra vs. Sunny Hills at Buena Park HS, Friday: The Prophet: Blink. Wipe. Giggle. (See Brea-Savanna, above). Sunny Hills has 19 points in its last six games. La Habra, 27-6. Hamilton: Sunny Hills, 34-16.

* Fullerton vs. Sonora at La Habra HS, Friday: The Prophet: Sonora easily downed Buena Park, a team Fullerton lost to--which is why you shouldn’t compare scores. Fullerton, 20-12. Hamilton: Fullerton, 22-13.

* Westminster vs. Saddleback at Santa Ana Stadium, Friday: The Prophet: Westminster has scored 86 points in its last two games. This will be another wild one. Westminster, 48-28. Hamilton: Westminster, 52-48.

* Costa Mesa at Laguna Beach, Friday: The Prophet: The Artists’ recent work hasn’t been pretty. Laguna Beach has lost five in a row. Costa Mesa, 35-13. Hamilton: Costa Mesa, 45-10.

* Capistrano Valley at Dana Hills, Friday: The Prophet: Dana Hills has scored in double figures only three times, but Capistrano Valley hasn’t stopped anyone. Dana Hills, 21-7. Hamilton: Dana Hills, 7-6.

* San Clemente at Trabuco Hills, Friday: The Prophet: San Clemente will be rooting for Mission Viejo to knock off El Toro. San Clemente, 18-12. Hamilton: San Clemente, 34-10.

* Santiago vs. Ocean View at Huntington Beach HS, Friday: The Prophet: I hope no poor mascot will be doing push-ups for every point scored. Ocean View, 50-35. Hamilton: Ocean View, 38-27.

* Aliso Niguel vs. Woodbridge at Irvine HS, Saturday: The Prophet: Motivation won’t be a problem. One of these decent teams won’t be going to the playoffs. Woodbridge, 14-13. Hamilton: Aliso Niguel, 17-14.