PIGSKIN PROPHECIES

You can’t keep a good Swami down. A week after suffering a rare defeat, yours truly stormed back with a resounding victory to take a comfortable lead in the season point race. Trying to knock me off my Arabian High Horse this week is biker dude/auto racing scribe Darin Esper. I’m not sure how much Darin knows about football--his idea of a big night is hanging out at the neighborhood Jiffy Lube--but I have a hunch after he described a wing T as the “really good part of the chicken.” Bon appetit, grease monkey!

The Prophet

Season totals for The Prophet: 93 of 134 (69%), 154 points

Darin Esper

Season totlas for the gguests: 87 of 134 (65%), 141 points

GAME OF THE WEEK (5 points)

Buena at Ventura

THE PROPHET SAYS: Coach Phil McCune of Ventura, that well-known faith healer, said Cougar players who have been nursing injuries will play tonight “if they aren’t dead.” I’m presuming McCune will find substitutes for the dearly departed. Seriously, the only burial will be to the Cougars’ nine-game winning streak. Buena rules the Channel. Buena, 32-21.

OTHER TOP GAMES (each 3 points)

Arcadia vs. Crescenta Valley at Glendale High

THE PROPHET SAYS: I’m not supposed to comment on the controversy at Crescenta Valley, so let me just say that I give the Falcons a lot of credit for charging their way to the top of the Pacific League standings and making the season such a gas. It’s in the cards that they’re going to win the title. Crescenta Valley, 26-14.

Newbury Park at Thousand Oaks

THE PROPHET SAYS: With second place in the Marmonte League on the line, this promises to be a hard-hitting, emotional affair. Things will really heat up in the event of a tie, when it comes down to a game of tug of war, with players yanking the arms of that guy who wears the half-Newbury Park, half-Thousand Oaks letterman’s jacket. Thousand Oaks, 24-21.

San Fernando at Sylmar

THE PROPHET SAYS: Unbeaten San Fernando always finds a way to win, whether by devouring a cupcake or rallying against a more substantial foe. But all good things come to an end. Sylmar, which had a 69-game league winning streak broken two weeks ago, assumes a new role--spoiler. Sylmar, 27-20.

THE REST (1 point each)

* Valencia vs. Saugus at College of the Canyons: The Prophet: The runs of Manuel White and Ray Cassaday prove mightier than the passes of David Parker. Second place in the Foothill League goes to the Vikings. Valencia, 35-24. Esper: Valencia, 35-28.

* Taft at Cleveland: The Prophet: Coach Troy Starr says the only way to stop running back James Bethea of Cleveland is to make him wear cowboy boots. I’m wagering the Toreadors can lasso the little buckaroo. Taft, 27-22. Esper: Taft, 42-21.

* Reseda at Kennedy: The Prophet: Coach Joel Schaeffer has Reseda playing at a high level, but quarterback Ruben Zaragoza will bring down the Regents with his aerial assault. Kennedy, 29-21. Esper: Kennedy, 30-24.

* Royal vs. Simi Valley at Moorpark College: The Prophet: Neither team is having much of a season, but Royal at least gives the impression of having a defense. Royal, 23-14. Esper: Royal, 28-27.

* Alemany at Bishop Amat: The Prophet: Corrected message to Coach Jim Bonds of Alemany: Don’t run the damn fumblerooski! Indians got stuffed last week by St. Paul, but they prevail with a playoff berth on the line. Alemany, 31-21. Esper: Alemany, 28-21.

* Crespi at Notre Dame: The Prophet: Coach Ron “Wait Until Next Year” Gueringer of Crespi insists his team belongs in the Mission League. Celts prove it by getting slaughtered in every league game. Notre Dame, 55-2. Esper: Notre Dame, 35-7.

* Hoover at Glendale: The Prophet: The city of Glendale finally gets an answer to the age-old question: Who’s the worst team in town? Glendale, 7-6. Esper: Glendale, 10-6.

* Oak Park at Carpinteria: The Prophet: Oak Park will make it close, but Carpinteria has a richer tradition and home-field advantage. Carpinteria, 21-14. Esper: Carpinteria, 21-17.

* Hueneme at Oxnard: The Prophet: Oxnard is finishing strong, having scored 40 points in each of the last two games. But Hueneme makes a stand. Hueneme, 26-24. Esper: Oxnard, 28-21.

* Highland at Antelope Valley: The Prophet: A victory gives Highland the Golden League title outright. Antelope Valley can’t stop the Bulldogs. Highland, 24-14. Esper: Highland, 21-14.

* Kilpatrick at Palisades: The Prophet: In a matchup of state statistical leaders--quarterback David Koral of Palisades and tailback Jermaine Marshall of Kilpatrick--the pass-happy Dolphins prevail. Palisades, 32-28. Esper: Kilpatrick, 35-21.