PIGSKIN PROPHECIES

A tip of the turban to Dan Arritt, who, considering The Prophet’s dominance this season, has accomplished the near impossible: In head-to-head competition, he swept the almost-all-knowing prognosticator not once, but twice. Arritt won a week midway through the regular season, then took the rematch last week when he correctly picked 13 of the 15 games. The Prophet was a very respectable 11-4, but Arritt also won on points, 23-19. Up this week is Mike Itagaki, who split a week with The Prophet during the regular season, scoring more points but losing on games.

GAME OF THE WEEK (5 points)

Tustin at Irvine, Tonight

THE PROPHET SAYS: Much has been said and written about Tustin’s impressive scoring power. And with good reason. The Tillers have averaged 62 points in their last seven games and haven’t been held under 24 since quarterback David Miller returned from an injury in Week 4. On the flip side, the pride of Irvine’s undefeated team is its defense. The Vaqueros have four shutouts and haven’t given up more than two touchdowns since their season opener. A classic matchup. Tustin 24, Irvine 21

ITAGAKI SAYS: Since they started monkeying with the leagues and further diluted the playoff system, what used to be an anticipated, annual Sea View League tilt is now a marquee playoff semifinal. Both teams have defenses that give quarterbacks nightmares and offenses that give scoreboard operators finger cramps. The difference could be a missed extra point . . . or a made one. Irvine 15, Tustin 14

OTHER TOP GAMES (each 3 points)

Esperanza vs. Long Beach Poly

at Long Beach Veterans Stadium, Saturday

THE PROPHET SAYS: Top-seeded Long Beach Poly has been overwhelming opponents with both its speed and size. Esperanza matches up size-wise, but not in speed. The Aztecs’ best hope for an upset is to play error-free football and control possession with Temitope Sonuyi’s running and safe, timely short passes by Ryan Sausedo. A bunch of Poly penalties--the Jackrabbits had 17 in their quarterfinal against St. Paul--and a few turnovers would help, too. Poly 27, Esperanza 14

ITAGAKI SAYS: This Jackrabbit team is real good. Poly is ranked second in the nation by one publication and its defense has six shutouts and gives up only 5 1/2 points per game. Offensively, the Jackrabbits counter Sonuyi with their own game-breaker: Hershel Dennis. As a sophomore last season, he rushed for 144 yards in 17 carries against Mater Dei in the Division I final, which the teams tied, 21-21. So Poly also boasts big-game experience. The Aztecs better bring their slingshots. Poly 35, Esperanza 21

La Mirada at Newport Harbor, Saturday

THE PROPHET SAYS: The Sea View League is shooting for its third consecutive all-Sea View League final. Top-seeded La Mirada is 12-0 and coming off a 41-8 rout of Cypress. Newport Harbor, typically, is playing its best football late in the season. The Sailors feature a physical running game with Chris Manderino, and if La Mirada has an Achilles’ heel it is, perhaps, its defense. Upset special. Newport Harbor 24, La Mirada 21

ITAGAKI SAYS: Who let La Mirada into the Orange County division? What used to be the sub-Division I OC championship bracket now has the county line-dwelling Matadores swooping in for a title run. The gritty Sailors have a tough runner and a tougher defense. But the Prophet’s turban is too tight if he sees an upset. The Matadores will break through the Orange Curtain. La Mirada 21, Newport Harbor 16

La Habra vs. Covina at Walnut HS, Saturday

THE PROPHET SAYS: If there is a county team with reason to have a collective Rodney Dangerfield complex, it’s La Habra. The Highlanders are 11-1 compared to Covina’s 9-3, but La Habra has to be considered the underdog in this one based on Covina’s upset victory last Saturday over Western. Covina showed its balance against the top-seeded Pioneers, getting 190 yards rushing from Johnny Grant and 293 yards passing by David Ulrich. La Habra counters with its own 1-2 punch of quarterback Mike Keeling and running back Brent West. Covina 26, La Habra 18

ITAGAKI SAYS: There’s good reason why La Habra has lost only once this season, starting with a defense that has two shutouts and yielded 20 or more points only twice. Yes, La Habra must go on the road and yes, Covina does have the big upset over top-seeded Western. But the Colts could fall victim to the Craniums of Unusual Size syndrome following the emotional win. La Habra 21, Covina 17

THE REST (1 point each)

* Rialto Eisenhower vs. Los Angeles Loyola at Glendale HS, Tonight: The Prophet: The last time a Citrus Belt League team met Loyola in the playoffs, there was a near riot after the game. Eisenhower quarterback Idris Moss won’t play because he was suspended for two unsportsmanlike penalties during Ike’s victory over Mater Dei. Plenty of intrigue. Eisenhower, 21-14. Itagaki: Loyola, 17-14.

* Chino at Downey, Saturday: The Prophet: Downey struggled against Dana Hills in its opener, but was back in form last week in a victory over Chino Hills Ayala. Downey, 19-13. Itagaki: Downey, 10-7.

* Diamond Bar vs. Upland at Cal State Fullerton, Tonight: The Prophet: A rematch of last year’s final, won by Diamond Bar, 17-14. Upland, 17-14. Itagaki: Diamond Bar, 14-13.

* Sherman Oaks Notre Dame at Manhattan Beach Mira Costa, Tonight: The Prophet: Mira Costa is big, physical and 11-1. Notre Dame is scrappy on defense and 11-0-1. Notre Dame also has a coaching staff with big-game experience. Notre Dame, 16-14. Itagaki: Mira Costa, 15-0.

* La Canada St. Francis vs. Newhall Hart at College of the Canyons, Tonight: The Prophet: St. Francis Coach Jim Bonds played for Hart before he (mostly) sat for UCLA. His quarterback is John Sciarra, whose father, John Sr., played quarterback for UCLA. Small world. Hart quarterback Kyle Matter is Stanford-bound. Hart, 31-17. Itagaki: Hart, 21-10.

* Riverside Poly at Corona Centennial, Saturday: The Prophet: All you need to know about Corona Centennial: It has a victory over Eisenhower. Centennial, 36-27. Itagaki: Centennial, 28-17.

* Covina Charter Oak vs. Pomona Garey at Ganesha HS, Tonight: The Prophet: These teams also met in a semifinal last year, with Charter Oak winning easily. Charter Oak, 28-13. Itagaki: Charter Oak, 7-0.

* Brea Olinda vs. Covina South Hills at Covina District Stadium, Tonight: The Prophet: Brea Olinda eliminated South Hills, 35-9, in a quarterfinal last year. Revenge. South Hills, 20-14. Itagaki: South Hills, 21-7.

* Orange Lutheran vs. Los Angeles Cathedral at Downey St. Matthias HS, Tonight: The Prophet: Cathedral receiver Earvin Johnson is headed to Georgia Tech, but the Phantoms are not the pass-happy bunch they’ve been in recent seasons. And even when they were, they usually flamed out about this time. Orange Lutheran, 35-20. Itagaki: Orange Lutheran, 21-10.

* Carpinteria vs. Ventura St. Bonaventure at Moorpark HS, Saturday: The Prophet: By most accounts, St. Bonaventure has a team that could contend for a championship several rungs up from where it competes, in Division XI. St. Bonaventure, 42-10. Itagaki: St. Bonaventure, 35-7.

* San Bernardino Aquinas at Arrowhead Christian, Tonight: The Prophet: Aquinas is a freelance team that was placed in Division XIII--and another that could have handled tougher competition. Aquinas, 35-13. Itagaki: Aquinas, 17-7.

Season totals for The Prophet: 123-47 (72%) 221 points

Last week: 11-4, 19 points

Season totals for the guests: 110-65 (65%) 186 points

Last week: DAN ARRITT 13-2, 23 points