PIGSKIN PROPHECIES

Dan Arritt wants everyone to know he’s not just The Times’ resident cross-country/track and field “expert” for the county. Indeed, there was a time when Dan was actually associated with a real sport. He is--and we’re trusting his resume here--a former All-Sea View League tight end who played for Bob Johnson (whose son Rob, now the quarterback of the Buffalo Bills, was, Arritt recalls, “a little water boy who brought cups to the huddle”) at El Toro High in 1983. So you know what that means? Yep, if Arritt goes with his old coach and his old school this week, the Prophet is a guaranteed two games up already!

GAME OF THE WEEK (5 points)

No. 4 Edison vs. No. 8 Servite at Cal State Fullerton, Saturday

THE PROPHET SAYS: Edison isn’t exactly easing into its Sunset League schedule. Last week, the Chargers got thumped by top-ranked and Serra League champion-to-be Mater Dei. Servite is no Mater Dei and the Friars will probably wind up third in the Serra League. But No. 8 pulls an upset over No. 4 unless Edison strings together more than a couple of big plays. Servite 20, Edison 17.

ARRITT SAYS: You won’t find two quicker running backs in the county than Edison’s Darryl Poston and Servite’s Lamar Mason, but quarterback efficiency will be the key to this game. Edison’s Richard Schwartz has a slightly lower rating than his counterpart, Adam Ernst, but Servite hasn’t played Mater Dei yet. The Friars’ secondary proved penetrable in last week’s victory against Long Beach Wilson, giving up 314 passing yards. Edison 21, Servite 13.

OTHER TOP GAMES (each 3 points)

No. 2 Los Alamitos vs. Kennedy at Western H.S., Tonight

THE PROPHET SAYS: I have a close friend who played for Kennedy, and although that was 20-something years ago, he recalls chasing around a Los Alamitos running back named Mitch Olson. Olson has switched allegiances and is now Kennedy’s coach. His team almost pulled an upset last year. Both teams have terrific quarterback-receiver combos. Los Alamitos, 21, Kennedy 14.

ARRITT SAYS: The Prophet is riding the fence. He’s locking up points while trying to keep the Fighting Irish alum in check with predictions of a close game (see El Toro vs. Marina). The only thing Los Alamitos and Kennedy have in common are 4-0 records. If Kennedy can finish within a touchdown, he can have the three points. Los Alamitos 41, Kennedy 13.

Fullerton at El Modena, Tonight

THE PROPHET SAYS: A year ago, Fullerton beat El Modena, 45-3. A little more than a year ago, El Modena finished 1-9. What a difference a year makes. Fullerton is better. El Modena is a lot better. El Modena 20, Fullerton 17.

ARRITT SAYS: El Modena’s only loss this season says more about its team strength than any of Fullerton’s four victories. Loara, a preseason top 10 selection, squeaked by the Vanguards in the third week, while Fullerton has feasted on weaker opponents. El Modena 27, Fullerton 10.

Mission Viejo vs. No. 3 Esperanza at Valencia H.S., Friday

THE PROPHET SAYS: Esperanza’s Temitope Sonuyi is the county’s leading rusher. Mission Viejo’s Robbie Dubois isn’t far behind. Esperanza is back in the Prophet’s good graces after easily defeating Long Beach Jordan last week. If Arritt picks his old coach’s team he is a sentimental fool. Esperanza 33, Mission Viejo 14.

ARRITT SAYS: Even if my mother was the coach, I couldn’t be sentimental toward Mission Viejo football. Bob Johnson will likely create some clever plays, and Marty Spaulding will have the offensive lineman frothing at the mouth, but Mission Viejo will need more than that to topple Esperanza. Esperanza 28, Mission Viejo 14.

THE REST (1 point each)

* Pacifica vs. Santiago at Garden Grove, Tonight: The Prophet: Any team with a decent offense will move the ball against Santiago. Pacifica, 35-20. Arritt: Pacifica, 41-16.

* Orange Lutheran vs. Woodbridge at Irvine H.S., Tonight: The Prophet: Sea View League teams have not been kind to Orange Lutheran. The trend continues. Barely. Woodbridge, 21-20. Arritt: Orange Lutheran, 16-14.

* Capistrano Valley vs. Laguna Hills at Mission Viejo H.S., Friday: The Prophet: Jeff Veeder is a good coach, but not a magician, and he hasn’t been able to turn Capistrano Valley around. Laguna Hills, 20-13. Arritt: Laguna Hills, 28-17.

* Dana Hills at Huntington Beach, Friday: The Prophet: Dana Hills just gave up 256 rushing yards to Newport Harbor’s Chris Manderino. Now, the Dolphins get Russell Oschman. Last team to score wins. Dana Hills, 28-27. Arritt: Huntington Beach, 24-20.

* University vs. Saddleback at Santa Ana Stadium, Friday: The Prophet: Break up the Trojans! University has three victories, two by shutout . . . in one season. Make it four victories. University, 31-16. Arritt: Saddleback, 28-27.

* El Toro vs. Marina at Westminster H.S., Friday: The Prophet: Even if Arritt picks against his old coach, he’s a sentimental bigger fool if he goes with his old team. Marina, 28-13. Arritt: El Toro, 29-24.

* Fountain Valley at Trabuco Hills, Friday: The Prophet: Fountain Valley is 2-2 and hasn’t played a game that wasn’t close. Finally, a bit of a breather. Fountain Valley, 41-20. Arritt: Fountain Valley, 35-14.

* No. 7 Santa Margarita at Tustin, Friday: The Prophet: Hold on one more week, Tustin. Then comes your break: league season. Santa Margarita, 20-13. Arritt: Santa Margarita, 24-19.

* No. 9 Western at Hacienda Heights Los Altos, Friday: The Prophet: This is Western’s second--and last--week in the county top 10. Los Altos, 37-30. Arritt: Western, 38-37.

* Loara at No. 6 Irvine, Saturday: The Prophet: Loara will put the breaks on an Irvine offense that’s averaging just shy of 48 points a game. But it won’t stop the Vaqueros’ winning streak. Irvine, 21-14. Arritt: Irvine, 35-10.