PIGSKIN PROPHECIES

You have to give credit where it’s due, and The Prophet thinks he would be remiss if he didn’t spotlight the accomplishment of one of The Times’ resident high school football experts. The Prophet is good, mind you, but he’s never had a perfect week, and Martin Henderson, our guest last week, had a perfect week--of sorts--when it came to picking the big games. He missed them all. That may sound easy, but trust me, it’s not. It takes a certain, uh, skill. Dave McKibben, who says he knows tennis better than football (he’s right, by the way), is next on the hot seat. He lobs. I slam.

GAME OF THE WEEK (5 points)

Concord De La Salle vs. Mater Dei at Edison Field, Saturday

THE PROPHET SAYS: If the U.S. can lose twice in one week in softball, anything can happen. You think 102 in a row--De La Salle’s national-record winning streak--is amazing? The U.S. was at 112 and counting in softball before its 11th-inning bootathon this week. A similar comedy of errors might even derail De La Salle. Might. De La Salle, 27, Mater Dei 17

McKIBBEN SAYS: The Monarchs should spend more time worrying about De La Salle quarterback Matt Gutierrez than what time the game starts. If Mater Dei couldn’t beat De La Salle with Matt Grootegoed and Junior Palacios, it probably won’t happen Saturday either. The Monarchs will keep De La Salle interested longer than last year, but the streak lives. De La Salle 30, Mater Dei 19

OTHER TOP GAMES (each 3 points)

Fallbrook vs. No. 6 Esperanza at Valencia H.S., Tonight

THE PROPHET SAYS: Will the real Esperanza please stand up? Check that. Will the real Esperanza hit someone? The Aztecs did more tickling than tackling in the second half against San Clemente last week. A repeat performance against San Diego’s top team turns this into a rout. Fallbrook, 31-21

McKIBBEN SAYS: As a San Diego County resident, I’m tempted to support the local boys along Highway 76. But I just don’t see Esperanza Coach Gary Meek putting up with two losses in a row. No one has stopped running back Temitope Sonuyi yet and Fallbrook isn’t about to either. Esperanza, 34-24

No. 5 Irvine vs. Orange Lutheran at Brea Olinda H.S., Friday

THE PROPHET SAYS: Orange Lutheran will do well in the Olympic League and might even contend were it a member of the Freeway League (ask Troy), but for the second time this year the Lancers are going to find out they don’t belong in the Sea View League. Irvine, 24-14

McKIBBEN SAYS: Orange Lutheran should try staying in its own division and stop messing around with the big boys. Now if the Warriors had Dee Meza at halfback and quarterback Jason Whieldon running the option, maybe we’d have a game. But they don’t, so we won’t. Irvine, 28-13.

No. 8 Tustin vs. No. 10 Servite

at Cal State Fullerton, Saturday

THE PROPHET SAYS: Don’t be fooled by Tustin’s victory over Bishop Amat last week. Bishop Amat has lost six in a row dating back to last season. Don’t be fooled by Servite’s victory over what is usually a good Mountain View St. Francis team, either. St. Francis is 0-3. Servite, 21-13

McKIBBEN SAYS: This would have been a great matchup a few years ago with Greg Cicero launching bombs and DeShaun Foster busting up the Servite secondary. But both programs have seen better days and this one will probably be decided by a field goal. Servite, 10-7

THE REST (1 point each)

* Rancho Alamitos at Western, Tonight: The Prophet: Western Coach Toby Howell has requested that I continue picking against his Pioneers because whenever I do, they win. Let’s hope he’s on to something. Western, 49-14. McKibben: Western, 54-20.

* Brea Olinda at Diamond Bar, Friday: The Prophet: Brea, from Division IX, takes a big step up in class against what is normally a powerhouse in Division II. Diamond Bar doesn’t have its strongest team, but Brea is rebuilding. Diamond Bar, 21-12. McKibben: Diamond Bar, 28-10.

* Capistrano Valley at Huntington Beach, Friday: The Prophet: Capistrano Valley managed only seven points against Edison. The Cougars will average that per quarter against the porous Oilers. Capistrano Valley, 28-20. McKibben: Capistrano Valley, 30-17.

* No. 2 Edison at Dana Hills, Friday: The Prophet: Edison’s Darryl Poston is averaging about seven yards per carry. Imagine the damage he’ll do when completely healthy. Edison, 27-14. McKibben: Dana Hills, 22-20.

* No. 4 Fountain Valley at La Mirada, Friday: The Prophet: My heart said Fountain Valley would beat Carson last week. My head said Fountain Valley would win, too. But my fingers typed otherwise. No such mistake here. Fountain Valley, 30-14. McKibben: Fountain Valley, 35-18.

* Laguna Hills at Mission Viejo, Friday: The Prophet: These Hawks often resemble doves on defense, which will give Mission Viejo a chance to run up another big score. Mission Viejo, 49-27. McKibben: Mission Viejo, 42-24.

* Lakewood vs. No. 7 Santa Margarita at Saddleback College, Friday: The Prophet: Santa Margarita came on a little too late in a loss to Los Alamitos. The Eagles soar early in this one. Santa Margarita, 26-14. McKibben: Santa Margarita, 38-10.

* No. 9 San Clemente at Aliso Niguel, Friday: The Prophet: Fess up. Who said, after Week 1, that these Tritons couldn’t “fly”? Esperanza knows better. San Clemente, 28-7. McKibben: San Clemente, 42-14.

* Trabuco Hills vs. Villa Park at El Modena H.S., Friday: The Prophet: Picking against Trabuco Hills was more fun last year, when I knew I’d get scolded by superfan Ramona Rapley. Villa Park, 23-19. McKibben: Trabuco Hills, 21-20.

* University vs. Woodbridge at Irvine H.S., Friday: The Prophet: Woodbridge goes as Will Banks goes, and last week he didn’t. If he’s held out again, this one is closer. Woodbridge, 24-10. McKibben: Woodbridge, 31-3.