(Note: It is not our intention to entice gambling in any way with these predicted scores. We will only use actual scores, not point spreads. Finally, because we greatly respect all coaches and student-athletes who step onto the field to compete, the winning margin of some predicted scores could be pared down.) 

Thanks to wrong picks by Mark Tennis, Paul Muyskens and Harold Abend, we only went 3-3 for a second straight week. Since Ronnie Flores, though, was 3-for-3, he submitted more choices this week, which could be good news for us. Our overall record for the season after seven weeks stands at 31-11. Here are the predicted scores and analysis for the top games around California coming up this weekend:

These teams are really well-matched with one exception. Parker is 6-1 behind the play of quarterback-defensive back Deon Randall, who is especially tough in games that really matter. Remember, the lone loss is to still-unbeaten Mission Bay. The return of DeMaree Harris, a running back/defensive back who missed that Mission Bay game, is critical. Not that Coach Nick Ruscetta's Eagles aren't capable. They have played a very tough schedule and have a solid offense -- just without a superstar that will be the difference. Rankings: Francis Parker is No. 1 in the CIF D3 South bowl game. Santa Fe Christian is No. 3 in the same division.

 

Three weeks ago, Taft gave state-ranked Serra of Gardena all it could handle before losing in overtime. The Toreadors had five turnovers and nearly won. El Camino Real has an explosive double wing offense, led by Rashon Harper, but we don't think they are more dangerous offensively than Serra and Taft was able to stop the Conquistadors enough in the second half to get them back in the game. El Camino will put up some points, but the reason we thought Taft had a chance to beat Serra was the addition of Lucky Radley. As the weeks go by, he'll make a bigger impact offensively in addition to making Taft's defense that much better. El Camino will be at home, but we like Taft because of the teams it has already competed against and the likelihood the team won't have five turnovers again. Rankings: Taft is No. 16 in the CIF D1 South bowl game. El Camino Real is No. 18 in the same division.

We're adding this game to our preview-picks package since both teams are entering with 7-0 records. Placer is the team that was embroiled in controversy last season due to a player eligibility case in which it was added to the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs by a court order. This year, the Hillmen are taking care of business on the field. They're averaging 44.9 points per game and among their victims have been defending Div. III section champ Casa Roble of Orangevale. Asher Gotzmer has led the ground game with 930 yards rushing and 13 TDs on just 80 carries. Lincoln's undefeated record includes a win over Wheatland (which hasn't lost to anyone else) plus the Zebras have beaten defending Div. IV section champ Whitney of Rocklin. While Placer has yet to play Whitney, Lincoln may be up against an opponent that is just too explosive. Rankings: Placer is No. 9 in the CIF D2 North bowl game, Lincoln is on the bubble in the same division.

The Celts have been an enigma so far this season. They have loads of talent and have played good teams tough. That's the problem -- they've played teams such as St. Bonaventure tough -- but haven't actually beaten them. After routing St. Paul of Santa Fe Springs last week, Swordsmen coach Marijon Ancich said the Celts were easily the most talented team they've played so far, and that includes undefeated Bishop Amat. Notre Dame has only lost to a Moorpark team that is showing quite well, plus the Golden Knights will be playing at home. They are tough to beat at home and will have a little too much offensive firepower for Crespi to overcome. Rankings: Notre Dame is No. 12 in the overall state top 25 and is No. 4 in the CIF D2 South bowl game. Crespi has been in the overall state top 25 for much of the season, but currently is on the bubble in D2 South.

This game is a repeat of last year's San Diego Section Division I title game won by La Costa Canyon. It features two of the state's top stars in La Costa Canyon's prolific wide receiver-return man Kenny Stills and Escondido's elusive running back Ricky Seale, both sons of former NFL stars. All that said, the balance of La Costa Canyon will prevail over the steady ground attack of the Cougars. Rankings: La Costa Canyon is No. 18 in the overall state top 25 and is No. 6 in the CIF D1 South bowl game. Escondido is No. 14 in the CIF D1 South bowl game and probably would be top 25 overall itself were it not for a recent tie against Torrey Pines.

The Monarchs really muddied the waters of the CIF Division II North Bowl berth situation after an official 14-14 tie with San Jose Bellarmine last week that they won for playoff purposes, 28-27, on a two-point conversion in double overtime. According to an October 27 story in the San Francisco Chronicle, Mitty could make a good case it actually won the game since officials were in place and it was a sanctioned tiebreaker competition. It may all be a moot point if the Monarchs travel to Foothill College this week and lose to the current West Catholic Athletic League leading Lancers who sport a 4-0 official league record to Mitty's 3-0-1. The game will probably be close in the first half but the powerful running game of Coach Matt Haniger's Monarchs will wear down St. Francis. Mitty has four runners with over 350 yards this season and any one of the four, QB Kyle Boehm, RBs Rocky Meszaros, Joey Walker and D.J. Bush can find the end zone, combining for 27 TDs so far this season. Plus, looking back at past opponents, Mitty's 35-13 win over Palo Alto is looking a lot better than St. Francis' 31-14 loss to Salinas Palma. Each handled San Jose Valley Christian, but Mitty shut them out 21-0, while the Lancers won by an almost equal margin, but gave up points in a 41-21 victory. The one feather in retiring Coach Mike Mitchell's cap is a 27-24 win over a San Mateo Serra team Mitty gets next week. Rankings: St. Francis is No. 6 overall in Northern California and No. 3 in the Bay Area. Mitty is No. 8 in the NorCal and No. 4 in the Bay.

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