PIGSKIN PROPHECIES

Melanie Neff knows water polo. She knows soccer and field hockey too. But she’s a USC graduate, for goodness sake. How much football could she possibly know? Fortunately for the Prophet, Neff’s turn as guest comes around just in time. The Prophet took a two-game, six-point whuppin’ at the hands of Dan Arritt last week. Servite’s shoddy defense in a loss to Edison was to blame. Then again, Arritt bet the Prophet three points that Kennedy wouldn’t come within a touchdown of Los Alamitos. The Fighting Irish, who outplayed the No. 2 Griffins, lost by only two. But we won’t call in that marker--yet.

GAME OF THE WEEK (5 points)

Newport Harbor vs. Irvine at Irvine H.S., Friday

THE PROPHET SAYS: Emotion can play a huge role in a football game, and Irvine, which lost twice to Newport Harbor last season--once for the Sea View League championship and again for the Southern Section Division VI title--has the revenge factor in its favor. The Vaqueros, who are averaging 43 points while giving up a little more than eight, also have another factor in their favor this time around: The best team. Irvine 22, Newport Harbor 14

NEFF SAYS: I’ve always been one to root for the underdog. Since Newport Harbor’s Chris Manderino switched from quarterback to running back he has ignited the offense. In three games, he has carried 90 times for 638 yards and nine touchdowns, quickly catching the top rushers in the county, who have played five games. Junior quarterback Morgan Craig is steady, completing 20 of 29 passes for 247 yards and three touchdowns in three games. Women’s intuition: Go with the upset. Newport Harbor 28, Irvine 24

OTHER TOP GAMES (each 3 points)

Marina vs. Los Alamitos

at Long Beach Veterans Stadium, Tonight

THE PROPHET SAYS: Weak and predictable, she says. Smart and correct, I say. Los Alamitos squeaked by Kennedy last year, too, and bounced back with an important victory over Esperanza. This is an acid test for Marina, a team whose last big victory in football was . . . Geez, have the Vikings ever had a big football victory? Los Alamitos 24, Marina 13

NEFF SAYS: So, should I be weak and predictable like the Prophet, content to take the easy way out and pick the favorite again? Nah. When playing tough competition the Vikings have won by making big plays, so I too will rely on the “Hail Mary.” (Note to Marina quarterback Beau Brown: Don’t throw the ball anywhere near Griffin linebacker Steve Shinen; he’ll catch it). I know I will get all sorts of abuse for this pick, but hey, I can always blame it on the blond hair. Marina 24, Los Alamitos 21

Villa Park vs. El Modena at El Modena H.S., Friday

THE PROPHET SAYS: So didn’t I tell you--before its mild upset over Fullerton last week--that El Modena was vastly improved? The Vanguards are 4-1 and on a high. All of which will make their fall hurt all the more. Villa Park is still very much the class of the Century League (sorry if that sounds like a back-handed compliment). Villa Park 28, El Modena 13

NEFF SAYS: OK, my mind has cleared and sanity has returned. All that needs to be said here is John Henry Jackson. The Spartan quarterback averages more than 19 yards per completion and connects on 55% of his passes, most in the direction of Bryan Arguello. On defense, Arguello leads the county with five interceptions. El Modena is a different team than the one I covered last year, but I don’t think they’re ready for the Century League title. Villa Park 34, El Modena 14

Troy vs. Fullerton at Fullerton H.S., Friday

THE PROPHET SAYS: Troy’s one loss came against Orange Lutheran, the only decent team it has played. Fullerton was blasting patsies, too, until it ran into El Modena last week. If Ryan Murray plays, Fullerton wins this one. If not, it might win anyway. Fullerton 22, Troy 20

NEFF SAYS: Born and raised in Fullerton, mention of Troy is supposed to bring shivers to this Sunny Hills alum. But the glory days of football are gone at Sunny Hills, and so are any past loyalties. Since Troy Coach John Turek is always prompt and polite every Monday when calling in his football stats to me, I give the nod to the Warriors. Oh, having the third highest-rated quarterback in the county, John Oliver, and the fifth leading scorer in Paul Evenson, doesn’t hurt. Troy 36, Fullerton 27

THE REST (1 point each)

* Ocean View vs. Tustin at Tustin H.S., tonight: The Prophet: How’s this for going way out on a limb? Tustin won’t equal its margin of victory of last year, a 78-7 rout. Tustin, 77-7. Neff: Tustin, 31-24.

* Westminster vs. Santa Ana at Santa Ana Stadium, tonight: The Prophet: Neither team has won a game, but Westminster has come close twice. Westminster, 16-14. Neff: Santa Ana, 14-7.

* Estancia vs. Northwood at Irvine H.S., tonight: The Prophet: Northwood’s first-ever league game . . . is a loss. Estancia, 21-7. Neff: Estancia, 28-7.

* Fountain Valley vs. Esperanza at Valencia H.S., tonight: The Prophet: Esperanza’s Temitope Sonuyi already is a 1,000-yard rusher. Esperanza, 27-23. Neff: Esperanza, 33-28.

* Cypress vs. Loara at Glover Stadium, Friday: The Prophet: Cypress is 5-0; Loara 1-4. Whoever said numbers don’t lie, lied. Loara, 21-14. Neff: Loara, 21-13.

* La Habra vs. Buena Park at Buena Park H.S., Friday: The Prophet: La Habra had no trouble with Foothill. Foothill had no trouble with Buena Park. La Habra, 41-20. Neff: La Habra, 30-14.

* Corona del Mar vs. Costa Mesa at Orange Coast College, Friday: The Prophet: Costa Mesa, perhaps the most overrated team in the Southern Section, still gets the nod here. Costa Mesa, 24-22. Neff: Corona del Mar, 28-26.

* Woodbridge vs. Laguna Hills at Mission Viejo H.S., Friday: The Prophet: Laguna Hills wins when opponents score less than 30 points. Woodbridge doesn’t have that kind of firepower. Laguna Hills, 30-20. Neff: Laguna Hills, 27-10.

* El Toro vs. Trabuco Hills at Trabuco Hills H.S., Friday: The Prophet: Trabuco Hills has lost three in a row and is fading fast. El Toro, 17-7. Neff: El Toro, 21-7.

* Rancho Alamitos vs. Saddleback at Santa Ana Stadium, Saturday: The Prophet: Garden Grove League schools are 6-16-1 in nonleague action. Saddleback, 24-13. Neff: Saddleback, 28-12.

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Season totals for the Prophet: 49-21 (70%) 89 points

Last week: 9-5 15 points

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Season totals for the guests: 47-23 (67%) 85 points

Last week: Dan Arritt 11-3 21 points