15, 5… and the NFL for 10/9/09

I was 24-9 last week with my picks — a much better result than the week before. I was 9-5 with my high school picks, 4-1 with my college picks and 11-3 with my NFL picks. I need to be a little tighter with my prep picks since I can’t expect to be any better with my college or pro picks than I was last week.

HIGH SCHOOL:

Corona Centennial at Riverside King — Senior RB Denzel Hawkins (5-foot-7, 186 pounds) totaled 192 yards on 37 carries last week for the Huskies (3-1 overall, 1-o Big VIII), who are coming off a 50-14 drubbing of Eastvale Roosevelt. The Wolves (2-2, 1-0) escaped with a narrow 19-14 come-from-behind victory over Riverside North last week. Junior RB Todd Handley (5-9, 175) had 134 yards and a TD in the game. CENTENNIAL 38, KING 17.

Colton at Kaiser — The Yellowjackets (3-1 overall) spread it around offensively as three players ran for more than 70 yards, and junior QB Jordan Mixon (5-11, 180) ran and passed for TDs in a Week 4 win over Ontario Chaffey. The Cats (2-2) may ave been drinking the Kool-Aid a little too much heading into last week’s 19-14 loss to Ontario Colony. I expect a better performance from senior RB Anthony Brown (5-11, 180), senior LB/DE/TE Josh Shirley (6-3, 218) and Co. in Week 5. KAISER 17, COLTON 14.

Corona vs. Riverside Poly — The Panthers (1-3 overall, 0-1 Big VIII) lost a shootout with Norco in Week 4, falling 50-43. Junior RB Jordon James (5-10, 194) proved why he’s one of the nation’s top recruits, running for 374 yards and four TDs. The Bears (2-2, 0-1) struggle to score points and lost their second consecutive game last week. Junior RB Jaron Farmar (5-10, 170) ran for 101 yards and a TD in that game. CORONA 28, POLY 13.

Riverside La Sierra at Moreno Valley Canyon Springs — The Eagles (3-1 overall, 1-0 Inland Valley) scored plenty of points during their non-league schedule (117 over three games, 39.o average) and followed up with 41 points in a 10-point victory over Riverside Ramona. Running backs Johnnie Walker (5-10, 170) and Ukpono Udi (5-9, 153) are leading the team. Walker has rushed for 463 yards and 4 TDs, and caught six passes for 126 yards and two TDs. Udi has rushed for 442 yards and 8 TDs. The Cougars (2-2, 1-0) are led by junior QB Ricardo Rodriguez (6-0, 185). Rodriguez completed 17 of 25 passes for 245 yards and two TDs in Canyon Spring’s 33-27 victory over Moreno Valley Valley View in Week 4. CANYON SPRINGS 27, LA SIERRA 21.

Moreno Valley at Rancho Verde — The Vikings (1-2 overall, 0-1 Inland Valley) got their first victory last week against Moreno Valley Vista del Lago. Senior QB Joshua Moxley (6-3, 180) ran for two TDs in the 24-10 victory. He’s averaging 209 total yards per game this season. The Mustangs (4-0, 1-0) may be the strongest team in Riverside Couonty. Ranked 17th in the state, Rancho Verde posted a 31-7 victory over a strong Riverside Arlington team in Week 4. RANCHO VERDE 34, MORENO VALLEY 24.

Murrieta Valley at La Quinta — The Nighthawks (2-2 overall) fell to Mission Viejo, 40-7, in Week 4. Senior QB Nathan Matlock was intercepted three times in the loss. The Blackhawks (2-2) are coming off a 7-0 victory over San Bernardino Cajon. MURRIETA VALLEY 10, LA QUINTA 7.

Riverside North at Norco — The Huskies (2-2 overall, 0-1 Big VIII) couldn’t get their inconsistent offense going in Week 4, losing 19-14 to Riverside King. Senior RB E.J. Schexnayder (6-0, 215) ran for 144 yards and a TD in the loss. The Cougars (3-1, 1-0) are scoring tons of points again behind a terrific offensive line. Senior tackles Nathan Guertler (6-4, 251) and Brent Walker (6-6, 294) anchor a group that has averaged more than 43 points per game. NORCO 41, NORTH 24. 

Riverside Notre Dame at Perris Citrus Hill — The Titans (3-1 overall, 0-1 Mountain Pass) get their chance to end Citrus Hill’s winning streak — now at 32. Notre Dame was dominated last week by San Jacinto, losing 31-7. The Hawks (4-0, 1-0) didn’t use all-everything Deontae Cooper much in a Week 4 win over Banning. They didn’t have to. Cooper’s 77-yard rushing TD near the end of the second quarter flattened Banning metaphorical tires. CITRUS HILL 24, NOTRE DAME 17.

Rancho Cucamonga at Temecula Valley — Sure, the Cougars (4-0 overall have senior QB Greg Watson (6-0, 185) but it has been RB Michael Boyd (5-11, 180) who is carrying the load. Boyd, who had 166 yards on 19 carries in Rancho Cucamonga 35-25 victory over Charter Oak in Week 4, is averaging 144 yards per game and had five TDs this season. Senior QB Keegan Robilotta (6-1, 200), senior RB Ben Thompson (6-2, 218) and junior LB/WR Adam Puslipher (6-2, 210) lead the Golden Bears (1-3), who defeated Paloma Valley 14-8 in Week 4 to get their first victory of the season. RANCHO CUCAMONGA 28, TEMECULA VALLEY 19.

Redlands East Valley at Yucaipa — Senior RB A.J. Fernandez (6-0, 205) ran for 199 yards and five TDs as the Wildcats (4-0 overall, 1-0 Citrus Belt) routed Rialto Eisenhower last week, winning 69-26. The Thunderbirds (3-1, 1-0) got 156 yards and a TD from senior RB Brandon Leach (5-8, 260) as they outlasted Rialto, 28-24. Yucaipa’s only loss was Week 1 against Moreno Valley Rancho Verde. REDLANDS EAST VALLEY 33, YUCAIPA 21.

Rialto at Fontana Miller — The Knights (0-4 overall, 0-1 Citrus Belt) are still looking for their first victory of 2009. Senior QB Nathan Tuioti (5-11, 175) is passed for 202 yards and two TDs, and also ran for 105 yards and one TD in Rialto’s loss to Yucaipa last week. Rebels (1-3, 1-0) get their first victory in Week 4 over city rival Fontana. Senior RB David Dash (5-9, 180) had 143 yards on the ground, 58 receiving yards and two total TDs in a 41-16 victory. MILLER 45, RIALTO 14.

Corona Santiago at Eastvale Roosevelt — The Sharks (2-2, 1-0) scored a season-high 37 points last week behind the outstanding play of senior QB Brandon Connette (6-2, 185), who completed 19 of 24 pass attempts for 209 yards and a TD, and also ran for 118 yards and three more TDs. The Mustangs (3-1, 0-1) got 115 rushing yards last week from junior RB Joey Legere (5-6, 180) but suffered a 36-point loss to Corona Centennial nonetheless. ROOSEVELT 26, SANTIAGO 24.

Victorville Silverado at San Bernardino Arroyo Valley – Battle of the Hawks. Silverado (3-2 overall) is led by senior QB Jemeryn Jenkins (6-1, 194), who ran for 108 yards a one TD in a Week 4 victory over Fontana Summit. Arroyo Valley (4-0) is led by junior QB Michael Yearwood (5-11, 185). Yearwood is averaging more than 210 yards passing and 300 total yards per game. He passed for 293 yards and three TDs last week in a win over Alta Loma. ARROYO VALLEY 31, SILVERADO 21. 

Moreno Valley Valley View at Riverside Arlington — The Eagles (1-3 overall, 0-1 Inland Valley) have lost two consecutive games, losing in overtime in Week 4, 33-27, to . The Lions (3-1, 1-0) were knocked from their perch last week, losing 31-7 to Moreno Valley Rancho Verde. Senior RB Superiorr Reid (6-3, 218) harldy factored in the loss, running for 30 yards on 12 carries. ARLINGTON 27, VALLEY VIEW 21, OT.

Downey Warren at Vista Murrieta — The Bears (4-0) are led by senior RB Jesse Callier (5-11, 186), who has averaged more than 200 yards per game this season. On the other sideline, coach Coley Candaele has the ninth-ranked Broncos (4-0) running on all cylinders. Vista Murrieta posted a 43-21 victory over Palos Verdes Peninsula and has outscored opponents by 70 points thus far. VISTA MURRIETA 45, WARREN 42.

COLLEGE:

No. 1 Florida (+8) at No. 4 LSU — QB Tim Tebow (concussion) is still questionable for the Gators (4-0 overall, 2-0 SEC), who are riding a 14-game winning streak. My guess is that he plays in what is the biggest game of the year, sans possible title game, for Florida. The Tigers (5-0, 3-0) continue to dominate on defense but also struggle on offense. They squeaked past Georgia last week and will need similar luck this week. Factoid of the week: The winner of this game has won the last three BCS championships. FLORIDA 33, LSU 30, OT.

No. 3 Alabama (+5) at No. 20 Mississippi — The Crimson Tide (5-0 overall, 2-0 SEC) take their unbeaten record into Oxford, Miss. led, on offense, by first-year starting QB Greg McElroy. McElroy has completed 66 percent of his pass attempts for 1,086 yards, nine TDs and only one interception. The Rebels (3-1, 1-1) are led by QB Jevan Snead, who has been inconsistent at best. Snead has completed on 51 percent of his pass attempts and has five interception this season. ALABAMA 27, MISSISSIPPI 17.

Michigan (-8) at No. 12 Iowa — The Wolverines (4-1 overall, 1-1 Big 10) are coming off a heart-breaking defeat to Michigan State. Though the play of scrambling freshman QB Tate Forcier (9 TDs, 3 INTs) has been inspiring, Michigan has needed fourth-quarter comebacks in two of its four victories this season. The Hawkeyes (5-0, 2-0) are undefeated through their first five games for the first time since 1995. QB Rick Stanzi (8 TDs, 7 INTs) leads Iowa, which has lost six of its last seven home games against Michigan. MICHIGAN 24, IOWA 23.

No. 13 Oregon (+4) at UCLA — It isn’t certain whether QB Jeremiah Masoli (knee) will play for the Ducks (4-1 overall, 2-0 Pac-10), who are coming off back-to-back conference wins. If Masoli can’t go it’ll be Nate Costa, a redshirt junior from Hilmar, Ca., who has completed 11 of 17 pass attempts in limited action. The Bruins (3-1, 1-1) have split their last four games with Oregon but won, 16-0, in their last meeting at the Rose Bowl in 2007. OREGON 26, UCLA 21.

No. 15 Oklahoma State (+5) at Texas A&M — The loss of All-American WR Dez Bryant looms large over this one for the Cowboys (3-1 overall), who are 3-10 against A&M since 1996. Bryant was ruled ineligible for “improper interaction” with a former NFL player believed to Deion Sanders. The Aggies (3-1) are led by QB Jerrod Johnson, who has completed 62 percent of his pass attempts for more than 1,300 yards and 11 TDs. He is yet to throw an interception. TEXAS A&M 35, OKLAHOMA STATE 31.

NFL:

Cleveland (-2) at Buffalo — One can’t possibly imagine that the Browns (0-4) will score MORE points without WR Braylon Edwards, who was traded to the N.Y. Jets mid-week. With Edwards, Cleveland was scoring just 10 points per game. Without him, who knows? The Bills (1-3) have offensive problems of their own. In the battle of the also-rans, the home team usually prevails. BILLS 17, BROWNS 7. 

Pittsburgh (+9.5) at Detroit — The Steelers (2-2) make their return to Ford Field, site of last year’s Super Bowl, with RB Rashard Mendenhall — not Willie Parker – getting the majority of the carries this time. Parker (turf toe) will be out in this one but that shouldn’t stop Pittsburgh from steam-rolling the Lions (1-3), who will start Daunte Culpepper at QB. STEELERS 31, LIONS 17.

Dallas (+7) at Kansas City — The Cowboys (2-2) are suddenly a team ready to run the football, mostly because QB Tony Romo can’t hit the broad side of a barn. The Chiefs (0-4) seem to be a boat without a paddle. RB Larry Johnson, once one of the NFL’s best, continues to be unproductive while the passing offense, led by now-healthy QB Matt Cassel, is laughable. COWBOYS 20, CHIEFS 14. 

Minnesota (+10) at St. Louis — I hate typing this: The Vikings (4-0) are really, really good. Scary good. Like gonna beat YOUR team good. Is there anything short of injuries to key players that can stop this team? The Rams (0-4) are relevant right now, not for football, but because Rush Limbaugh is thought to be interested in buying a portion of the currently hapless franchise. Man is Missouri home to some pitiful pro football. VIKINGS 42, RAMS 10. 

Oakland (-14) at N.Y. Giants — If you thought the Chiefs and Rams are awful, you haven’t seen the Raiders (1-3), who are breaking records for number of people who think this franchise is a complete and total disaster.  The Giants (4-0), conversely, are breaking down other teams with their dominance running the ball. RBs Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw are the league’s best 1-2 punch. GIANTS 33, RAIDERS 6.

Tampa Bay (-10) at Philadelphia — It’s QB by committee for the Buccaneers (0-4),  who continue to scuffle offensively. RB Derrick Ward is back from knee injury — big deal. For the Eagles (3-1), QB Donovan McNabb makes his return and I expect the offense to explode here against a bad Tampa Bay secondary. EAGLES 46, BUCCANEERS 17.

Washington (-2) at Carolina — This game is unwatchable. I feel sorry for the fans of both these teams. The Redskins (2-2) barely beat St. Louis last week after Week 2’s catastrophe at Detroit. The Panthers (0-4) remind me of a really bad JUCO program. You know – the country-boy QB, the prima donna WR and lots and lots of dropped balls and fumbles. I’ve seen this one before. REDSKINS 20, PANTHERS 17.  

Cincinnati (-2.5) at Baltimore — The Bengals (3-1) look like a dramatically improved football team. QB Carson Palmer and his No. 1 WR seem to be getting along and the defense is playing well, sans Week 1’s debacle against Denver. The Ravens (3-1) have some really good pieces on offense (I especially like RB Ray Rice’s contribution this season) and QB Joe Flacco has been solid. RAVENS 27, BENGALS 21. 

Atlanta (-2.5) at San Francisco — RB Michael Turner has under-performed for the Falcons (2-1), rushing for only 323 thus far. Atlanta will need a better effort from him if the Falcons are to keep pace with the Vikings, Giants and Saints in the NFC. The 49ers (3-1) are coming off a blowout victory over St. Louis but will have a hard time tunning the ball against the Falcons’ front seven without RB Frank Gore (ankle), who is still sidelined. FALCONS 28, 49ers 17. 

Jacksonville (EVEN) at Seattle — Seahawks coach Jim Mora thinks there are “great things on the horizon” for his team. He better be right because QB Matt Hasselbeck (broken rib) returns this week. If the Seahawks can’t defeat the Jaguars (2-2) at home with Hasselbeck, they might as well kiss another NFC West title good-bye. SEAHAWKS 24, JAGUARS 7.

Houston (-5) at Arizona –  Whether it’s David Carr or Matt  pre=”Matt “>Schaub, the Texans (2-2) are still having trouble protecting their quarterback. Schaub was taken down a handful of times last week against the Raiders’ defense. Ugh. The Cardinals (1-2) can score points in the bunches but can’t stop teams from also scoring in bunches. I like this game. Should be a lot of points. CARDINALS 37, TEXANS 31.

New England (EVEN) at Denver — QB Tom Brady doesn’t look like he should, even still, for the Patriots (3-1), who seem to finding a way to win. The Broncos, I still contend, are nothing but smoke a mirrors. In this teacher vs. student matchup, I like the teacher in a close game. PATRIOTS 24, BRONCOS 21, OT.

Indianapolis (+6) at Tennessee — QB Peyton Manning is having what might be his best overall season for the Colts (4-0), who seem a certainty for the AFC championship game. Manning’s unmatched work ethic is turning rookies into veterams in a hurry. The Titans (0-4) are hoping to wake up from what must seem like a bad dream. COLTS 38, TITANS 13.

N.Y. Jets at Miami – Can the Jets (3-1) go on the road and get one on Monday night, when the nation has its eyes on Broadway Carlos? The Dolphins (1-3) turns to QB Chad Henne in the absence of Chad Pennington. Can he make enough plays to keep the wildcat offense effective or should Ronnie Brown just run the offense? MIAMI 17, JETS 14, OT.