PIGSKIN PROPHECIES

Seeing as how The Prophet toyed with his sad-sack lineup of guest forecasters last season, he experimented with his picks in Week 1 and now will have to come from behind, which should keep things interesting for, oh, another week or two. Exactly how The Prophet made last week’s choices we can’t divulge. All we’ll say is that his props were a large piece of plywood, team logos, sharp hand-held objects, a blindfold and a golden retriever guide dog. And still it was close. Picking against him this week is Martin Henderson, who, were he smart, would stick to predictions on softball, girls’ basketball and NASCAR. A rematch with Ben Bolch will take place later in the season.

GAME OF THE WEEK (5 points)

No 4. Los Alamitos vs. No. 6 Santa Margarita

at Cal State Fullerton, Friday

THE PROPHET SAYS: Santa Margarita had to come from behind to win its opener last week, while this marks Los Alamitos’ first game. Oh sure, technically the Griffins played, too, but Los Angeles Washington certainly didn’t put up much of a fight in a 51-0 loss. This one is much closer. Los Alamitos, 31-22.

HENDERSON SAYS: How much did Los Alamitos really gain from its whitewash of L.A. Washington? Santa Margarita’s victory over Chino Hills Ayala was much more credible. Coaches think this is a toss-up. The safe pick is Los Alamitos, but here’s a hunch that the Eagles’ real-game experience provides an early-season edge. Santa Margarita 24, Los Alamitos 21.

OTHER TOP GAMES (each 3 points)

Marina at No. 7 Newport Harbor, Tonight

THE PROPHET SAYS: Even during last season’s championship campaign, Newport Harbor could only manage a tie against Marina. And that was when the Sailors had an offense. Marina, 14-7.

HENDERSON SAYS: It’s not enough to tie a section champion, you apparently have to beat it. That’s what former Marina Coach Mark Rehling found out. Even though his team tied undefeated Newport Harbor last year, he lost his job. Hmmm, I wonder if that applies to me and the Prophet? Newport Harbor, 21-7.

No. 3 Esperanza at San Clemente, Friday

THE PROPHET SAYS: If San Clemente thought its “fly” got swatted by Elsinore last week, wait until Esperanza takes a shot. Esperanza running back Temitope Sonuyi is academically No. 1 in his class among Aztec seniors. He’ll show again why he also belongs high on the list of the county’s best running backs. Esperanza, 38-14.

HENDERSON SAYS: This game is worth three points? The Prophet is clearly trying to pad his stats. San Clemente is a tough place to play, but not so tough that it will keep Sonuyi from the end zone. Without San Clemente’s recent string of misfortune, this might have been a thriller. Esperanza, 28-14.

Trabuco Hills vs. Laguna Hills at Mission Viejo H.S., Friday

THE PROPHET SAYS: Take away Aliso Niguel--pleeease!--and the Sea View League went undefeated last week. Laguna Hills did its part, thumping La Puente Nogales, 40-8. Meanwhile, Trabuco Hills was squeaking past Covina Charter Oak, 10-7. The difference is, Charter Oak is pretty good. Trabuco Hills, 10-7.

HENDERSON SAYS: This is one of those rivalry games where you can throw the record out the window. Given the chance, they’d throw each other out the window, too. The pick goes to the more experienced defense. Laguna Hills, 14-7.

THE REST (1 point each)

* Dana Hills vs. Santa Ana at Santa Ana Stadium, Tonight: The Prophet: Dana Hills hung tough against No. 5 Fountain Valley while Santa Ana was being blanked by Sonora. A no-brainer. Dana Hills, 22-6. Henderson: Dana Hills, 28-14.

* Troy vs. Orange Lutheran at Brea Olinda H.S., Tonight: The Prophet: Orange Lutheran has a tough defense, but its offense is a shell of what it was a year ago. Troy won’t nearly match the 50 points it had against Katella. Troy, 20-16. Henderson: Troy, 24-14.

* Valencia vs. Los Amigos at Garden Grove H.S., Tonight: The Prophet: Villa Park had too many options for Valencia to completely shut down. Los Amigos has quarterback Richard Dinh. Valencia, 27-14. Henderson: Valencia, 14-7.

* Woodbridge vs. Foothill at Tustin H.S., Tonight: The Prophet: Is Foothill dramatically improved, or did Tustin execute that poorly? Woodbridge provides the answer. Woodbridge, 21-14. Henderson: Woodbridge, 31-14.

* Mater Dei vs. Loara, Glover Stadium, Friday: The Prophet: The Prophet lost Week 1 because Loara lost to Western, but am I bitter? No siree. Mater Dei, 99-0. Henderson: Mater Dei, 28-7.

* El Toro at Western, Friday: The Prophet: El Toro nearly toppled No. 2 Edison last week. Western got lucky and . . . er, played well to defeat Loara and The Prophet. But really, I’m NOT bitter! El Toro, 99-0. Henderson: El Toro, 24-21.

* Capistrano Valley vs. No. 2 Edison at Huntington Beach H.S., Friday: The Prophet: Capistrano Valley was probably hoping Edison would win big in its opener. Alas, Edison sputtered and comes in to this one with something to prove. Edison, 31-14. Henderson: Edison, 28-14.

* Savanna vs. Sonora at La Habra H.S., Friday: The Prophet: For openers, Savanna didn’t score and Sonora didn’t allow a score. Which means . . . nothing. Savanna, 16-14. Henderson: Sonora, 14-7.

* Fullerton vs. Santa Ana Valley at Santa Ana Stadium, Saturday: The Prophet: Santa Ana Valley hasn’t entirely recaptured its glory days, but the Falcons are legitimate title contenders in the Century League. Santa Ana Valley, 30-20. Henderson: Santa Ana Valley, 28-14.

* Los Angeles Carson vs. No. 5 Fountain Valley at Orange Coast College, Saturday: The Prophet: Rule No. 1 in the pigskin prognosticator’s handbook says when everything else is about equal in these matchups, always pick the Southern Section team. With Fountain Valley’s injuries, all is not equal. Carson, 21-14. Henderson: Carson, 35-14.

Season totals for The Prophet: 10-4 (71%) 18 points

Season totals for the guests: 11-3 (79%) 21 points