PIGSKIN PROPHECIES

I am the Prophet, the all-telling, mostly knowing high school football forecaster whose wily and wondrously witty winning wisdom will be shared in this column throughout the fall. Each Thursday I will pummel--er, pick against--a local celebrity. My first guest is Vince Ferragamo, who 20 years ago gained some acclaim by leading the Anaheim-based Los Angeles Rams to the Super Bowl against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Don’t wanna give ya flashbacks Vinny, but you’re up against the Mean Joe Greene of prognosticators.

GAME OF THE WEEK (5 points)

Esperanza vs. Servite

Friday at Cal State Fullerton, 7:30 p.m.

THE PROPHET SAYS: Servite has Joe (no relation to Jerry) McGuire, the county’s top offensive lineman. More importantly, the Friars already have played a game, having downed Tustin, 35-19, last week. Esperanza quarterback Greg Farrell reportedly scrambles better than his predecessor. He’ll need to. Servite, 24-13.

FERRAGAMO SAYS: I like Servite because it has some preseason All-American types and good size on the line to run behind. Plus, it showed a lot of firepower and whooped Tustin pretty good. Esperanza has a fine freshman class that is pushing the starters to perform, but the Friars will win. Servite, 28-14.

OTHER TOP GAMES (3 points)

Mater Dei vs. Clovis West

Saturday at Fresno Buchanan HS, 7:30 p.m.

THE PROPHET SAYS: They play pretty good football in Fresno, but this game is a lock. Poor Clovis West will be slack-jawed after warmups--and that will be just from their first glance at that Red Army known as the Mater Dei band. Mater Dei, 31-14.

FERRAGAMO SAYS: Sure, there’s some big boys up there at Clovis and it will be 100 degrees at game time, but I like Coach Bruce Rollinson. He won’t allow Mater Dei to look ahead a couple of weeks to Concord De La Salle, because if he does, Clovis will knock the Monarchs off their rockers. Mater Dei, 21-7.

Fullerton vs. Anaheim

Saturday at Glover Stadium, 7 p.m.

THE PROPHET SAYS: Many years ago these were among the top prep football programs in the county. Anaheim, winless the last two seasons, should be better this year. So should Fullerton, which was Freeway League co-champion last season. Fullerton, 21-7.

FERRAGAMO SAYS: Fullerton has a Fearsome Foursome on the line and maybe its best team in several years. It’s still a rivalry, but I think this one is solid in favor of the Indians. Fullerton, 28-0.

Tustin vs. Foothill

Tonight at Tustin High, 7:30 p.m.

THE PROPHET SAYS: The Prophet picked Foothill’s big upset last season, but that was before he started working for The Times. It’s tempting again, but . . . Tustin, 28-14.

FERRAGAMO SAYS: As a former quarterback, I admired the way Foothill’s Casey Mazzotta took his dad’s advice and won through the air at Tustin in ’98. But Tiller Coach Myron Miller has that very basic running game of his and he’s a veteran. Tustin, 42-15.

THE REST (1 point each)

* Laguna Beach vs. La Quinta at Bolsa Grande HS, Tonight: The Prophet: Nice that at least one of these teams can go undefeated for a week. They should enjoy it while they can. Laguna Beach, 13-6. Ferragamo: La Quinta, 21-14.

* Pacifica vs. Woodbridge at Irvine HS, Tonight: The Prophet: Woodbridge, the defending Division VI champion, might be even better on offense than it was last season. Woodbridge, 42-14. Ferragamo: Woodbridge, 40-10.

* Irvine at University, Tonight: The Prophet: Irvine has only three starters back compared to University’s 14. So . . . much for that note of trivia. Irvine, 21-14. Ferragamo: Irvine, 45-10.

* L.A. Washington vs. Los Alamitos at Long Beach Veterans Stadium, Tonight: The Prophet: Good thing for Washington that Los Alamitos is rebuilding this year. Otherwise, this one would get ugly(ier). Los Alamitos, 48-6. Ferragamo: Los Alamitos, 45-10.

* San Diego Lincoln vs. Santa Margarita at Saddleback College, Tonight: The Prophet: Lincoln is a top team from the San Diego section, and a decent first test for the Eagles. Santa Margarita, 24-14. Ferragamo: Santa Margarita, 42-12.

* Loara at Western, Tonight: The Prophet: Loara has a county-high 20 starters returning. But Western has Jamiah Williamson and Will Ruffin running the ball, and they spell double trouble. Western, 21-20. Ferragamo: Loara, 21-7.

* Canyon at El Dorado, Friday: The Prophet: I see Canyon improving under Coach Matt McCain. But it’s tough to pick an unknown against the steady Golden Hawks. El Dorado, 14-13. Ferragamo: Canyon, 21-17.

* Edison vs. Cypress at Western HS, Friday: The Prophet: Cypress might be the Empire League favorite, but in the Sunset League that places the Centurions . . . somewhere below the Chargers. Edison, 20-14. Ferragamo: Edison, 10-7.

* Valencia vs. Villa Park at El Modena HS, Friday: The Prophet: This is always a good matchup, and this year running back Marquis Colvin, a transfer from Buena Park, pushes Villa Park over the top. Villa Park, 21-13. Ferragamo: Villa Park, 14-7.

* Dana Hills vs. Fountain Valley at Huntington Beach HS, Friday: The Prophet: Tom Kazarian is a one-man gang for Dana Hills. But he’ll be outnumbered. Fountain Valley, 21-7. Ferragamo: Fountain Valley, 24-14.

* Century vs. Santiago at Garden Grove HS, Saturday: The Prophet: Santiago, the Garden Grove League favorite, will be in high gear. Santiago, 42-6. Ferragamo: Santiago, 35-7.