Region high school football coaches pick USC to beat UCLA

It’s college football rivalry week in Los Angeles, with the annual game between UCLA and USC to be played Saturday night at the Rose Bowl.

That means it’s time to ask some of Southern California’s most prominent high school football coaches to ignore their college allegiances — wink, wink — and make a prediction on the outcome.

Here’s how that went (in alphabetical order):

Scott Altenberg, Gardena Serra: UCLA 20, USC 6: “In a complete reversal of fortune, the Bruins harken back to the ghost of Red Sanders and adopt the wing T, complete with serpentine huddle, and run wild on the Trojans. Adoree’ Jackson puts his linebacker helmet on and leads the Trojans in tackles, but it’s not enough.”

Nick Baiz, Rancho Cucamonga: USC 35, UCLA 14: “I think USC is playing really well and UCLA is struggling on offense.”

Jim Bonds, La Canada St. Francis: UCLA 13, USC 9: “Just like DeWayne Walker’s defense shut down Pete Carroll’s offense in 2006 to salvage the season.”

Manuel Douglas, Harbor City Narbonne: USC 35, UCLA 14. “I think Tee Martin has done a great job recruiting our area and with the USC offense. And if I don’t pick USC, my wife would kill me because she’s a USC alum.”

Dean Herrington, Lancaster Paraclete: USC 35, UCLA 21. “Josh Rosen isn’t playing and USC is peaking at the right time.”

Bob Johnson, Mission Viejo: USC 45, UCLA 20. “USC has better personnel.”

Matt Logan, Corona Centennial: USC 31, UCLA 10. “A Trojan horse will ride valiantly at the Rose Bowl.”

Charles Mincy, Dorsey: USC 30, UCLA 17. “USC beat my alma mater, Washington, so I don’t have the right to root against them. I have to buy Stafon Johnson dinner.”

Mike Moschetti, La Mirada: USC 35 UCLA 10. “Sam Darnold has a big day and proves he should have been the Democratic nominee instead of Hillary and maybe could have beat Trump.”

Larry Muir, Valencia: UCLA 35, USC 31. “Mike Fafaul equals John Barnes.”

Jason Negro, Bellflower St. John Bosco: USC 42, UCLA 38. “My SC guys got mad at me for picking UCLA last year, so this year I pick USC. Fight on! And Damien Mama falls on a fumble in the end zone for the winning score.”

Jaime Ortiz, San Clemente: USC 42, UCLA 28. “Coach Mora has been like family to the San Clemente community, but at the end of the day Sam Darnold is also a Triton and he’s got the hot hand.”

Kevin Pearson, L.A. Cathedral: USC 31, UCLA 14: “No more Phantom presence in Westwood, so it’s USC.”

Chuck Petersen, Orange Lutheran: USC 38, UCLA 14: “I love Keisean Lucier-South, but I think this year is the year of the Trojans.”

Antonio Pierce, Long Beach Poly: USC 42, UCLA 31. “USC is playing better football and they know who their quarterback is going to be for the next three years.”

Bruce Rollinson, Santa Ana Mater Dei: USC 38, UCLA 14. “The Trojans will be right at home at the Rose Bowl. A word of caution: Don’t ever underestimate the Bruins.”

Dave White, Huntington Beach Edison: USC 35, UCLA 14. “I have two players, Markus Boyer and Dylan Luther, on UCLA. Sorry guys, USC is tremendous on offense.”

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com

Twitter: @latsondheimer