PIGSKIN PROPHECIES

It doesn’t happen very often, but it happened last week. A guest actually beat The Prophet. Mickey Flynn--The Ghost of La Palma Park is what he was called during his Anaheim High playing days--was correct on 12 of his 15 picks while The Prophet was 10-5. And so a tip of the leather helmet to Flynn, who won’t be asked back. Up this week is John Nicoletti, who runs a public relations firm with several sports personalities as his clients. And, OK, if you must know, one of those clients was supposed to be the guest this week but stiffed us. That’s why John is filling in.

GAME OF THE WEEK (5 points)

Laguna Hills vs. Loara at Glover Stadium, Friday

THE PROPHET SAYS: Laguna Hills has played well the last three games, since getting blown out by Newport Harbor. But Loara comes in even hotter, winning five in a row--two of its last three by shutout. Loara, 21-16.

NICOLETTI SAYS: Too much freeway time on the way to Glover Stadium means the Hawks will stall and fall in their first playoff appearance since the 1997 title game. Loara, 27-17.

GAME OF THE WEEK (5 points)

Ocean View vs. Kennedy at Western HS, Friday

THE PROPHET SAYS: Kennedy needed a last-minute field goal to defeat Cypress last week, capping a sluggish performance that did nothing to build momentum for the playoffs. But it could be worse. Just ask Ocean View, which got thumped by Tustin, 78-7. Kennedy, 28-20.

NICOLETTI SAYS: The Kennedy defense will have to contain Deshai Houston, who attempted more passes than any other county quarterback while accumulating more than 2,200 yards. The Irish have held their last four opponents to an average of only seven points. Kennedy, 24-20.

Pacifica vs. Costa Mesa at Orange Coast College, Friday

THE PROPHET SAYS: Neither the Garden Grove League nor the Pacific Coast League fared well in the playoffs last season. The PCL was 0-3. The Garden Grove was 1-4. Pacifica earned the victory. Pacifica, 28-21.

NICOLETTI SAYS: Pacifica has run up big point totals in victories over Orange, Bolsa Grande and La Quinta. But Costa Mesa moves to the next level with C.J. Zuniga, who leads the bumper crop of county running backs with 1,976 yards and 29 touchdowns. Costa Mesa, 35-24.

Fountain Valley vs. Long Beach Poly

at Long Beach Veterans Stadium, Friday

THE PROPHET SAYS: Fountain Valley won’t be lacking for motivation and the Barons are capable of pulling off an upset. They’d be even more capable with Nedal Abdelmuti healthy and playing running back. Poly, 24-17.

NICOLETTI SAYS: Fountain Valley will give it a valiant effort, but Poly has too many weapons, including a home crowd. Fountain Valley has the horses to make it a heavyweight fight, though, as victories this season over Edison and Los Alamitos have already proven. Poly, 17-14.

GAME OF THE WEEK (5 points)

* Santa Margarita at Fontana A.B. Miller, Friday: The Prophet: Has Santa Margarita found the right mix to put opponents in a fix with Chris Rix as a receiver? Nope. It’s Miller time. A.B. Miller, 31-20. Nicoletti: Santa Margarita, 28-24.

* Marina at Rialto Eisenhower, Friday: The Prophet: Marina has lost two in a row, but if the Vikings can play ball-control they just might pull a shocker. Then again, probably not. Eisenhower, 28-14. Nicoletti: Eisenhower, 24-10.

* Mission Hills Alemany vs. Esperanza, at Valencia HS, Friday: The Prophet: Alemany has a Tennessee-bound quarterback, Casey Clausen. Esperanza has the county’s top receiver, Ryan Murray. Good thing one team doesn’t have both. Esperanza, 31-21. Nicoletti: Esperanza, 21-20.

* Downey Warren at San Clemente, Friday: The Prophet: You can bet the buzz around Warren this week has been about stopping San Clemente’s “Fly” offense. It probably looks easier on film. San Clemente, 23-14. Nicoletti: San Clemente, 31-10.

* Santa Ana Valley at Irvine, Friday: The Prophet: Irvine, winner of four in a row since getting nipped by Newport Harbor, is on a second-round crash course with top-seeded Mayfair. Irvine, 42-14. Nicoletti: Irvine, 27-24.

* Santa Ana vs. Villa Park, at El Modena HS, Friday: The Prophet: With quarterback John Jackson and running back Marquis Colvin, Villa Park has the kind of balanced offense that gives Santa Ana trouble. Villa Park, 24-13. Nicoletti: Villa Park, 28-14.

* El Dorado at Newport Harbor, Friday: The Prophet: Sea View League teams traditionally perform well in the playoffs, and champion Newport Harbor won’t disappoint. Newport Harbor, 35-7. Nicoletti: Newport Harbor, 30-10.

* Savanna vs. Troy, at Fullerton HS, Friday: The Prophet: Savanna squeaked into the playoffs on a last-minute field goal. No such drama in this one. Troy, 30-17. Nicoletti: Savanna, 20-17.

* Valencia vs. Corona del Mar, at Huntington Beach HS, Friday: The Prophet: Valencia was flying high and playing great defense until it ran into Brea Olinda last week and got drummed to the tune of 41-7. Can the Tigers claw back? Yes. Valencia, 21-7. Nicoletti: Valencia, 31-10.

* Western at La Habra, Friday: The Prophet: Western prides itself on its strong running game, but just wait until the Pioneers get a load of Josh Herrera. La Habra, 24-21. Nicoletti: Western, 31-27.

* Sonora at Brea Olinda, Friday: The Prophet: La Habra’s Herrera rushed for 300 yards against Sonora last month. Brea’s Kenny Washington may threaten to top that. Brea, 45-7. Nicoletti: Brea, 42-14.

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Season totals for The Prophet: 103-47 (69%) 177 points

Season totals for the guests: 87-63 (58%) 147 points