PIGSKIN PROPHECIES

Championship week has arrived with great anticipation, except in this column where the outcome has been determined for several weeks. The Prophet, the Long Beach Poly of pigskin prognosticators, will finish the season well ahead of his competition, a string of alleged “experts” put up by The Times. That said, it should be noted that the Prophet has been defeated the past two weeks, first by Dan Arritt, and then by Mike Itagaki. Truth be told, The Prophet has been a little distracted looking forward to this week, when he plans on going 14-0 against guest David McKibben.

GAME OF THE WEEK (5 points)

Irvine vs. Newport Harbor at Orange Coast College, Tonight

THE PROPHET SAYS: The series between these teams is tied, 8-8, and they have split two meetings in championship games. Irvine won in the regular season and in the title game in 1992. Newport Harbor won in the regular season and in the title game in 1999. Irvine won in Week 6 this season, 19-14. So you know what that means? That’s right. Nothing. Newport Harbor, led by Chris Manderino, is playing its best football of the season. The same might be said of Irvine, if the undefeated Vaqueros hadn’t been dominating all season. Irvine 18, Newport Harbor 14

McKIBBEN SAYS: Irvine still has a big chip on its shoulder after last season’s painful losses by a total of three points. A blocked field goal cost the Vaqueros the regular season game and a fumble on their own four-yard gave the title game away. Of course frustrating losses one year don’t necessarily mean exhilarating victories the next year. As an Ohio State fan who has to suffer through John Cooper’s Michigan debacles every year, I know that more than anyone. But I’ll still go with the surly squad. Irvine 20, Newport Harbor 13

OTHER TOP GAMES (each 3 points)

La Habra vs. Covina South Hills

at Covina District Stadium, Tonight

THE PROPHET SAYS: The pick here is South Hills, which is probably the best news possible for La Habra. The Highlanders already have proven The Prophet wrong on two key occasions, in a Freeway League showdown against Fullerton, and again last week in a semifinal against Covina. South Hills 24, La Habra 15

McKIBBEN SAYS: You would think The Prophet would know better. Never pick against a Mazzotta in the playoffs. Frank Mazzotta Sr. won a Southern Section title and national junior college titles as a player and a coach. So maybe it’s time little Frankie started catching up with his dad. La Habra 21, South Hills 16

Orange Lutheran vs. Ventura St. Bonaventure

at Ventura HS, Saturday

THE PROPHET SAYS: Top-seeded St. Bonaventure is undefeated and has rarely been challenged. Take away losses to Irvine and Newport Harbor, the teams playing for the Division VI title, and Orange Lutheran’s record also would be perfect. A big reason St. Bonaventure has been untouchable is the running of Lorenzo Booker, who has gained 2,740 yards and scored 44 touchdowns while averaging 14 yards a carry. St. Bonaventure 27, Orange Lutheran 14

McKIBBEN SAYS: Orange Lutheran’s quest for a Southern Section football title will continue. Jim Kunau has done a great job getting the Lancers to the title game, but the Lancers might be overmatched here. In addition to Booker’s gaudy statistics, the Seraphs boast a quarterback (Jack Swisher) who completes 65% of his passes and a receiver (Whitney Lewis) who has caught 16 touchdown passes. St. Bonaventure 35, Orange Lutheran 19

Long Beach Poly vs. L.A. Loyola at Edison Field, Saturday

THE PROPHET SAYS: Poly is playing in its fourth consecutive final and the Jackrabbits will probably extend that streak before junior running back Hershel Dennis is finished. Dennis rushed for 239 yards and scored five touchdowns in a semifinal victory over Esperanza. Then there’s the Poly defense, which has recorded six shutouts. Poly 27, Loyola 13

McKIBBEN SAYS: Any team that holds Temitope Sonuyi under 50 yards must be halfway decent. Poly also produced Tony Gwynn, who is among the school’s many treasured alums. Gwynn played baseball and basketball at Poly. Why didn’t T. Gwynn put on pads? They didn’t need him. Poly 31, Loyola 14

THE REST (1 point each)

* Chino vs. Upland at Citrus College, Tonight: The Prophet: Chino defeated top-seeded Downey last week, but Upland already has a 33-7 victory over the Cowboys in a Baseline League game earlier this season. Upland, 27-14. McKibben: Chino, 31-26.

* Manhattan Beach Mira Costa vs. Newhall Hart at College of the Canyons, Tonight: The Prophet: Hart is two-time defending champion and has Stanford-bound quarterback Kyle Matter. Hart, 34-21. McKibben: Hart, 30-17.

* Corona Centennial at Lake Elsinore Elsinore, Tonight: The Prophet: In a battle of once-beaten teams, Centennial gets the edge because of the balanced offered by 2,200-yard rusher Mike Bass and quarterback Lamar Broadway. Centennial, 32-24. McKibben: Elsinore, 24-21.

* Paso Robles vs. Inglewood at El Camino College, Tonight: The Prophet: Inglewood has two 2,000-yard rushers in Jermaine Simon and Lamar Ferguson. But Paso Robles is two-time defending champion. Paso Robles, 26-16. McKibben: Paso Robles, 28-10.

* Ventura at Arroyo Grande, Saturday: The Prophet: Ventura goes as Tyler Ebell goes. Ebell, who is bound for UCLA, has rushed for a national-record 4,220 yards this season. Ventura, 34-31. McKibben: Ventura, 52-20.

* Hacienda Heights Los Altos vs. Covina Charter Oak at Citrus College, Saturday: The Prophet: This is the second year in a row these Miramonte League rivals have met in a section final; Los Altos won last year. Los Altos, 28-20. McKibben: Charter Oak, 28-27.

* Barstow at La Quinta La Quinta, Saturday: The Prophet: Once-beaten La Quinta has a running back, Frederick Collins, who averaged better than 10 yards a carry during the regular season. La Quinta, 28-25. McKibben: La Quinta, 24-3.

* Lancaster Paraclete vs. Van Nuys Montclair Prep at L.A. Valley College, Saturday: The Prophet: Paraclete is trying to become only the second team ever to win four consecutive section titles. Paraclete, 22-18. McKibben: Paraclete, 27-6.

* San Bernardino Aquinas vs. Pasadena Poly at Pasadena City College, Saturday: The Prophet: Pasadena Poly is the defending champion, but Aquinas, led by linebacker Jeff Langdon, is a freelance team that could have competed a couple of divisions higher. Aquinas, 19-17. McKibben: Aquinas, 35-21.

* Carson vs. Wilmington Banning at Coliseum, Tonight: The Prophet: The latest installment of a long and storied rivalry. Both schools have won 10 City Section major division titles. This is the ninth time they’ve played each other. Carson, 35-24. McKibben: Carson, 40-20.

Season totals for The Prophet: 133-52 (72%) 235 points

Last week: 10-5, 14 points

Season totals for the guests: 122-68 (64%) 206 points

Last week: MICHAEL ITGAKI 12-3, 20 points