PIGSKIN PROPHECIES

Mike Davis doesn’t get out much. Only on Friday nights does he leave his copy editor’s post and stretch his deadline-writing legs covering high school football. His once-a-week forays don’t qualify him as an expert on prep football, but his past experience does. In a previous job, Davis covered the local Pac 10 schools. So let’s face it, he has watched more than his fair share of high school-level football. The Prophet split against Mike Itagaki last week, winning one more game, but losing by one point because Valencia didn’t bring its “A” game against Western.

GAME OF THE WEEK (5 points)

Mater Dei vs. Servite at Cal State Fullerton, Saturday

THE PROPHET SAYS: One thing for sure: This won’t be a rerun of the 1992 game, a scoreless tie. Servite has averaged more than 40 points in its last four games, which means the Friars should at least be able to score. As for Mater Dei, expect the Monarchs, with Matt Leinart having a big game, to score a lot. Mater Dei 41, Servite 10

DAVIS SAYS: Servite hasn’t beaten Mater Dei since Reagan was the nation’s CEO, and despite the teams’ identical 6-1 records, there’s little reason to think the trend won’t continue. Not because of Mater Dei’s 11-game unbeaten streak in the series, but because the Monarchs simply are better this year. The teams have one common opponent--Edison. Mater Dei beat the Chargers, 42-10, in Week 4; Servite lost to them, 35-33, in Week 5. Do the math, and Mater wins by about five touchdowns. My best guess: Mater Dei 28, Servite 17

OTHER TOP GAMES (each 3 points)

Estancia vs. Costa Mesa at Newport Harbor HS, Friday

THE PROPHET SAYS: Who in tarnation votes in the Southern Section polls? In Division VI, Cypress is ranked No. 7 and Loara, a team the Centurions lost to by a score of 42-12--isn’t in the top 10. Ditto in Division IX, where Costa Mesa is ranked No. 8 and Corona del Mar--which has a 37-7 victory over Costa Mesa to its credit--is unranked. Only by the rankings is this one an upset. Estancia 28, Costa Mesa 22

DAVIS SAYS: Costa Mesa’s 17-14 victory over 1-6 Laguna Beach last week was not exactly a Son of Flubber bounce-back from its 37-7 loss to Corona del Mar two weeks ago. Estancia is coming off a 42-21 loss to University, but the Eagles’ offense, with efficient quarterback Kenny Valbuena and explosive runner Fahid Jahid, should be a little too much for the Mustangs. Estancia 23, Costa Mesa 20

Santa Ana Valley at El Modena, Friday

THE PROPHET SAYS: If Santa Ana Valley harbors any playoff hopes, it’ll have to find a way to beat El Modena. To do that, the Falcons must stop Adam Lancisero, a work horse running back who is averaging 7.0 yards per carry. The chances of either happening aren’t very good. Both teams played Fullerton. El Modena won, 15-14. Santa Ana Valley lost, 38-0. El Modena 35, Santa Ana Valley 15

DAVIS SAYS: Santa Ana Valley was scorched for 313 yards rushing and five touchdowns by Mike Liti in last week’s 55-20 loss to Foothill. Now the Falcons face an even more dangerous runner in Lancisero, 10th in the county with 933 yards this season, operating behind a physical offensive line. It’s a pancaking waiting to happen. El Modena 34, Santa Ana Valley 14.

Troy vs. La Habra at Fullerton HS, Friday

THE PROPHET SAYS: So what’s all the fuss about La Habra’s Brent West proclaiming himself the “best running back in the county”? The kid is entitled to his opinion, just like Ralph Nader, Pat Robertson and The Rock. But I think he was probably misquoted, and what he actually said was, “I’m the best back running off at the mouth.” La Habra 34, Troy 30

DAVIS SAYS: La Habra stays in the fast lane to the Freeway League title if it wins this game, but it will have to go through Paul Evenson, Troy’s bull-moose fullback, to do it. West declared himself to be the best running back in the county after the Highlanders’ victory over Sonora last week, but there’s no guarantee he’ll be the best back on the field this week. Troy 30, La Habra 28.

THE REST (1 point each)

* Woodbridge vs. Newport Harbor at Irvine HS, Tonight: The Prophet: Newport Harbor is big and physical on the lines, but Woodbridge hung in well against highly regarded Westlake Village Westlake. Newport Harbor, 20-10. Davis: Newport Harbor, 20-7.

* Buena Park vs. Sonora at La Habra HS, Friday: The Prophet: Their performances against three common opponents--Savanna, Anaheim and La Habra--indicate a close game. Buena Park must win for a playoff shot. Buena Park, 22-21. Davis: Sonora, 23-16.

* Santiago vs. Rancho Alamitos at Garden Grove HS, Friday: The Prophet: Slumping Rancho Alamitos--0-2-1 in its last three games--gets well. Rancho Alamitos, 19-7. Davis: Rancho Alamitos, 17-13.

* Saddleback at Westminster, Friday: The Prophet: Who’d have thought Westminster would be 2-0 in the Golden West League after the Lions were blanked in three of their first four nonleague games? Well, they won’t be 3-0. Saddleback, 36-14. Davis: Saddleback, 30-20.

* Aliso Niguel vs. Laguna Hills at Mission Viejo HS, Friday: The Prophet: If Laguna Hills would like to break out of its slump on offense, the Hawks should try getting the ball to receiver Brian Anderson. Laguna Hills, 22-14. Davis: Aliso Niguel, 27-21.

* El Toro at Capistrano Valley, Friday: The Prophet: Once upon a time, this was a great rivalry between outstanding teams. Those days are long gone. El Toro, 24-14. Davis: El Toro, 17-9.

* Los Alamitos vs. Fountain Valley at Orange Coast College, Friday: The Prophet: It’s been a long time since Los Alamitos lost two in a row. The Griffins also are out to avenge a loss to the Barons last season. Los Alamitos, 38-22. Davis: Los Alamitos, 35-13.

* Santa Margarita vs. Bellflower St. John Bosco at Saddleback College, Friday: The Prophet: Evenly matched teams, but it’s a long drive from Bellflower. The Braves can’t survive bus lag. Santa Margarita, 22-21. Davis: Santa Margarita, 28-24.

* Katella vs. Kennedy at Western HS, Friday: The Prophet: Quit whining, Western. Kennedy is the best unranked team in the county. Kennedy, 35-14. Davis: Kennedy, 41-10.

* Ocean View at Garden Grove, Saturday: The Prophet: Ocean View just lost to a team that had been shut out three times. Now it faces another one. Ocean View, 30-10. Davis: Ocean View, 39-16.

Season totals for The Prophet: 71-27 (72%) 125 points

Last week: 10-4 14 points

Season totals for the guests:

65-33 (66%) 111 points

Last week: Michael Itagaki, 9-5, 15 points