PIGSKIN PROPHECIES

Hard to believe, I know, but The Prophet has his critics. Picking against him this week is one of them, Ramona Rapley, whose son, Eric, is a very fine linebacker for Trabuco Hills High. Ramona, who sends a wicked e-mail, seems to think that every time The Prophet picks against Trabuco Hills--which is most of the time--the Mustangs win. She might be on to something. But we’ll fix her! (see below) Ramona describes herself as “a freelance makeup artist,” but this week she’ll be the one getting a facial!

GAME OF THE WEEK (5 points)

Los Alamitos vs. Esperanza at Valencia HS, Friday

THE PROPHET SAYS: Mater Dei opens as the top-ranked team in the county. It loses. Santa Margarita steps in. It loses. Mater Dei steps back up. It loses. Los Alamitos is in its third week in the hot seat, and the Griffins have worn out their welcome. Upset special. Esperanza, 23-16.

RAMONA SAYS: I talked with my sons. Since I know these two to be very knowledgeable on football, I guess I’ll go along with them this time. Los Alamitos, 28-14.

OTHER TOP GAMES (3 points)

Foothill vs. Villa Park at El Modena HS, Friday

THE PROPHET SAYS: Villa Park already has three victories--two more than Foothill and fellow Century League opponents Canyon, El Modena and Orange combined. Villa Park, 27-7.

RAMONA SAYS: Before toll roads I would cut through Villa Park from the canyon to get to the 91 Freeway. Good place to raise horses, not play football. But my experience tells me to go with the Spartans. Villa Park, 17-10.

El Toro at Trabuco Hills, Friday

THE PROPHET SAYS: Ramona, Ramona, Ramona. You walked right into this one. You say I show Trabuco Hills no respect. You say the Mustangs win to spite me. Have I mentioned before that I play dirty? Trabuco Hills, 19-14.

RAMONA SAYS: I lived in El Toro before folks fluffed its name up to Lake Forest. I still don’t like sitting on the visitors’ side when these two hard-hitting rivals meet. The media has disrespected my Mustangs since Hell Week. The offense is young, but improving. And the defense . . . just ask Fountain Valley’s quarterback. He’s still seeing the stampede. Trabuco Hills, 21-17.

Mater Dei at Santa Fe Springs St. Paul, Friday

THE PROPHET SAYS: Former Tustin High Coach Marijon Ancich, in his second tour of duty at St. Paul, won his 300th career game last week. No. 301 won’t come against Mater Dei, which is about ready to shift into high gear. Mater Dei, 24-15.

RAMONA SAYS: I’m still trying to understand why the media is so enamored with Mater Dei. For crying out loud, you’d think there weren’t any high schools south of Bristol. . . . Please! St. Paul, 35-28.

THE REST (1 point each)

* Loara vs. Kennedy at Western HS, tonight: The Prophet: The Fighting Irish showed plenty of spunk in a tough loss to top-ranked Los Alamitos last week. They’re just a little short again. Loara, 14-13. Ramona: Kennedy, 24-17.

* La Quinta at Bolsa Grande, tonight: The Prophet: Bolsa Grande has lost 20 consecutive games--and is about a two-touchdown favorite in this one. Bolsa Grande, 26-14. Ramona: Bolsa Grande, 8-6.

* Tustin at Westminster, tonight: The Prophet: Tustin’s rough nonleague schedule starts paying dividends. Tustin, 42-14. Ramona: Tustin, 48-17.

* Aliso Niguel vs. Pacifica at Garden Grove HS, tonight: The Prophet: This marks Pacifica’s last real test before the playoffs. Pacifica, 26-18. Ramona: Aliso Niguel, 24-21.

* Troy vs. Sunny Hills at Buena Park HS, Friday: The Prophet: In the past three games, Troy’s Brett Murray has accounted for 62 points. Sunny Hills: zip. Troy, 21-7. Ramona: Troy, 30-13.

* Ocean View vs. Saddleback at Santa Ana Stadium, Friday: The Prophet: You can’t stop Ocean View quarterback Deshai Houston. What makes this interesting is that the Seahawk defense doesn’t stop anyone, either. Ocean View, 42-34. Ramona: Ocean View, 42-17.

* Brea Olinda at Western, Friday: The Prophet: This one might determine the Orange League title. It did last year and Western crumbled, turning the ball over seven times. Brea, 34-28. Ramona: Western, 38-28.

* Estancia vs. Costa Mesa at Orange Coast College, Friday: The Prophet: This battle for bragging rights might also decide the championship of the Pacific Coast League. Costa Mesa, 35-21. Ramona: Costa Mesa, 35-21.

* Irvine at Newport Harbor, Friday: The Prophet: Newport Harbor has the lofty ranking, but Irvine’s Keith Short comes up big in this one. Irvine, 23-17. Ramona: Newport Harbor, 35-20.

* La Puente Bishop Amat at Santa Margarita, Friday: The Prophet: Grudge match of the week. Santa Margarita quarterback Chris Rix vs. the school he left. Expect that extremely stingy Lancer defense to have Rix in a real fix. Bishop Amat, 28-13. Ramona: Bishop Amat, 28-13.

* Mission Hills Alemany vs. Servite at CS Fullerton, Friday: The Prophet: Alemany’s team speed--plus Tennessee-bound quarterback Casey Clausen--are too much for Servite to handle. Alemany, 24-17. Ramona: Servite, 24-10.