15, 5… and the NFL for 10/16/09

I had my best week picking high school games, posting an 11-4 mark in Week 5. No huge matchups this week unless you count Phelan Serrano at Rim of the World. I’ll be covering Corona Centennial vs. Riverside Poly at Riverside King for the Riverside Press-Enterprise. Game starts at 7 p.m.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL:

Riverside Arlington at Moreno Valley — Junior RB Superiorr Reed (6-foot-3, 215 pounds) and senior RB Nick Baker (5-10, 245) both ran for more than 100 yards and two TDs as the Lions (4-1 overall, 1-1 Inland Valley) posted a 34-21 victory over Moreno Valley Valley View. The Vikings (1-4, 1-1) lost in blowout fashion, 51-16, to Moreno Valley Rancho Verde in Week 5.
ARLINGTON 27, MORENO VALLEY 21.

San Bernardino Arroyo Valley at Colton — The Hawks (4-1 overall) lost last week to Victorville Silverado, 31-20, despite junior QB Michael Yearwood (5-11, 185) accounting for two TDs. The combination of junior QB Jordan Mixon (5-11, 180) and senior RB Derrick Malone (6-2, 205) have the Yellowjackets (4-1) rolling. The combo hasn’t lost since Week 1 to Vista Murrieta.
COLTON 17, ARROYO VALLEY 13.

Temecula Chaparral at Murrieta Valley — Senior QB Mitch Glasmann (6-4, 220) completed just seven passes last week but four went for TDs as the Pumas (3-2) traveled out to Cathedral City and laid a 70-0 smackdown. The Nighthawks (3-2) also traveled out to the desert and got a ‘W.’ Senior RB A.J. Moore (5-11, 190) ran for 113 yards and two TDs as Murrieta Valley defeated La Quinta, 49-26.
CHAPARRAL 31, MURRIETA VALLEY 24.

Perris Citrus Hill at Rubidoux — Senior RB Dontae Cooper (6-1, 205) ran for 261 yards and two TDs as the Hawks (5-0 overall, 2-0 Mountain Pass) routed Riverside Notre Dame in 52-10 in Week 5. The Falcons (1-4, 0-2) have been outscored 78-6 in their last two games.
CITRUS HILL 56, RUBIDOUX 7.

Corona Centennial vs. Riverside Poly — Senior RB Denzel Hawkins (5-7, 185) ran for 150 yards and a TD, and the defense held Riverside King scoreless in the second half as the Huskies (4-1 overall, 2-0 Big VIII) won 24-14 in Week 5. The Bears (3-2, 1-1) are coming off a dramatic 32-29 victory over Corona last week. Junior RB Ryan Salgado (5-10, 175) ran for 175 yards and also caught a touchdown as Poly utilized an effective run-pass mix.
CENTENNIAL 28, POLY 27.

Fontana at Redlands East Valley — The Steelers (3-2 overall, 0-2 Citrus Belt) have opened league play with a dud and have now lost two consecutive game since starting the season 3-and-0. They scored just seven points in a 34-7 loss to Redlands last week. Colorado State commit Tyler Shreve (6-4, 225) completed eight passes to five different receivers and ran for 87 yards and two TDs as the Wildcats (5-0, 2-0)  routed Yucaipa in Week 5.
REDLANDS EAST VALLEY 38, FONTANA 17.

Riverside King at Corona Santiago — Junior RB Todd Handley (5-9, 175) had an 80-yard TD run and finished with 164 yards on 17 carries as the Wolves (2-3 overall, 1-1 Big VIII) lost to Corona Centennial in Week 5. The Sharks (3-2, 1-1) were shut out last week for the first time in more than three seasons in losing 21-0 to Eastvale Roosevelt. Senior QB Brandon Connette (6-2, 190) completed 11 of 17 passes but was also intercepted twice in that game.
KING 19, SANTIAGO 17.

Rancho Cucamonga Los Osos at Upland – Senior QB Blake Loncar (6-4, 220) passed for 218 yards and two TDs as the Grizzlies (3-2 overall) got their second victory of the season in Week 5. The Highlanders (5-0), paced by a balanced offense, have won their last two games by a scored of 90-6.
UPLAND 22, LOS OSOS 16.

Fontana Miller at Yucaipa — The Rebels (2-3 overall, 2-0 CBL) are scoring tons of points in league thus far — they’ve outscored opponents 97-28 in two game. Senior QB Juan Flores (5-9, 175) passed for three TDs as Miller defeated Rialto, 56-12, last week. The Thunderbirds (3-2, 1-1) are probably good enough to win the San Andreas League title. It’s too bad they play in the Citrus Belt League. Yucaipa struggled in Week 5, losing 35-7 to Redlands East Valley.
MILLER 27, YUCAIPA 24.

Norco at Eastvale Roosevelt — Senior RB Deantre Lewis (6-0, 194) ran for an area-high 336 yards and three TDs and also passed for a TD as the Cougars (4-1 overall, 2-0 Big VIII) edged past Riverside North, 28-25, in Week 5. Sophomore QB Aaron Crone (6-0, 180) was deadly accurate as the Mustangs (4-1, 1-1) downed Corona Santiago last week. Crone complete 10 of 15 pass attempts for 150 yards and a TD.
NORCO 30, ROOSEVELT 24, OT.

Riverside North at Corona — Senior  RBs E.J. Schexnayder (6-0, 215) and Sadale Foster (5-8, 190) both ran for over 100 yards but the Huskies (3-2 overall, 0-2 Big VIII) lost to Norco, 28-25, last week. The Panthers (1-4, 0-2) have lost their first two league games by a combined total of 12 points. Senior RB Jordon James (5-10, 194) had total three TDs in their 32-27 loss to Riverside Poly in Week 5.
NORTH 28, CORONA 21.

Rubidoux Patriot at Fontana Kaiser — The Warriors (2-3) have been up-and-down. The defeated Ganesha 56-7 in Week 4 but lost, 35-14, to Victor Valley in Week 5. The Cats (2-3) have struggled to score points and have lost two consecutive games. Senior RB Anthony Brown (5-11, 185) ran for 124 yards in a 14-6 loss to Colton last week.
KAISER 17, PATRIOT 13.

Moreno Valley Rancho Verde at Moreno Valley Valley View — Senior RB Laron Jackson (6-0, 190) scored three TDs as the Mustangs (5-0 overall, 2-0 Inland Valley) pounded Moreno Valley, 51-16, in Week 5. Junior QB Max Holmes (6-0, 180) passed for 273 yards and a TD in Week 5 for the Eagles (1-4, 0-2), who haven’t won since a Week 2 victory over Temecula Valley.
RANCHO VERDE 47, VALLEY VIEW 21.

Phelan Serrano at Rim of the World — The Diamondbacks (3-2 overall) have outscored their last two opponents 59-0. Dionza Bradford (6-0, 200) ran for 125 yards and two TDs in a 24-0 victory over Santa Clarita Golden Valley last week. Junior RB Dillon Pretzinger (6-0, 178) is averaging 172 yards and two TDs per game for the Fighting Scots (6-0), who have outscored opponents 213-27 this season.
SERRANO 27, RIM OF THE WORLD 21, OT.

Elsinore Temescal Canyon at Vista Murrieta — Senior RB Maurice Rodriguez (6-1, 220) ran for 108 yards and a TD as the Titans (3-2) defeated Hemet, 24-7, last week. Junior QB Derrick Brown (5-10, 175) passed for 78 yards and a TD and also ran for 99 yards on 13 carries as the Broncos (5-0) defeated Downey Warren, 42-28, in Week 5.
VISTA MURRIETA 38, TEMESCAL CANYON 24.

LAST WEEK: 11-4. SEASON: 29-16.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL:

No. 2 Alabama (+18) vs. No. 22 South Carolina — I’m fascinated by Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide (6-0 overall, 3-0 SEC), who beat Mississippi, 22-3, last week. Can they get to the BCS title game? One things is certain — Saban’s defense is always going to be ready. But can he field a competent offense? Another Top-25 test –this time against the Gamecocks (5-1, 2-1) — will probably ask more questions that it can answer. South Carolina hasn’t won in Tuscaloosa since 2004.
ALABAMA 38, SOUTH CAROLINA 24.

No. 3 Texas (+4) vs. No. 20 Oklahoma — The Red River Shootout. Need I saw more? Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford against Heisman hopeful Colt McCoy, who happen to be friends that enjoy playing table tennis/ping-pong against one another, lead their respective teams into the game of their respective careers. Bradford stayed one more year at Oklahoma (3-2 overall, 1-0 Big 12) to try and win this game. If Bradford prevails, McCoy and Texas (5-0. 2-0) can probably kiss both the Heisman and a shot at a national championship farewell.
TEXAS 45, OKLAHOMA 42, OT.

No. 4 Virginia Tech (+3) at No. 19 Georgia Tech — This game will likely determine the winner of the ACC. The Hokies (5-0 overall, 3-0 ACC) are racking up yards and points this season behind QB Tyrod Taylor, who has thrown for eights TDs and almost 1,000 yards this season. The Yellowjackets (5-1, 2-1) are led by dual-threat QB Josh Nesbitt, who has 10 total TDs (4 pass, 6 rush) but ‘Jackets hasn’t won at home against the Hokies in 19 years.
VIRGINIA TECH 33, GEORGIA TECH 17.

No. 6 USC (+10) at No. 20 Notre Dame — Will this be the year Charlie Weis and the Fighting Irish (4-1 overall) get over the hump against Southern Cal (4-1)? Don’t count on it. Even with the game being played in South Bend AND the discrepancy in competency levels between starting QBs, the talent on USC’s sideline should again dictate the action. I expect Golden Domer Jimmy Clausen to finish the day with at least two interceptions.
USC 27, NOTRE DAME 24.

California (-3.5) at UCLA — The Bears (3-2 overall, 0-2 Pac-10) have been outscored 72-6 in conference play and haven’t scored a touchdown since Sept. 19. The Bruins (3-2, 0-2) continue to look for answers at QB. I say give freshman Richard Brehaut the go-ahead now. Rick Neuheisel, can you’re offense be any worse?
CALIFORNIA 24, UCLA 20.

LAST WEEK: 3-2. SEASON: 10-5.

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE:

Houston (-4) at Cincinnati — The Texans (2-3) are miserable in the red zone — falling short three times in the closing seconds last week in a seven-point loss to Arizona. When was the last time the Bengals (4-1) were relevant? The team goes for its fifth consecutive win for the first since 1988.
BENGALS 24, TEXANS 17.

Detroit (-15) at Green Bay — The Lions (1-4) still don’t know if QB Matthew Stafford (knee) will play this week. The Packers (2-2) are going for their 18th consecutive home victory over Detroit.
PACKERS 31, LIONS 13.

Baltimore (-3) at Minnesota — Can the Ravens (3-2) and their stout defense be the team to stop Brett Favre, Adrian Peterson and Co.? The Vikings (5-0) son’t seem to have a weakness.
VIKINGS 27, RAVENS 20.

N.Y. Giants (-3) at New Orleans — The biggest game of the weekend. The Giants (5-0) and the Saints (4-0) face off in a potential playoff preview. QB Eli Manning (foot) still looks a litle gimpy.
SAINTS 35, GIANTS 31.

Cleveland (-15) at Pittsburgh — QB Brady Quinn put his Cleveland-area home up for sale. Could his days in Cleveland (1-4) be numbered? Safety Troy Polamalu (knee) returns for Pittsburgh (3-2), which has been vulnerable in pass defense in his absence.
STEELERS 24, BROWNS 7.

Carolina (+3) at Tampa Bay — The Panthers (1-3) avoided an 0-4 start with a three-point victory over Washington last week. The Buccaneers (0-5) are one big steaming pile.
PANTHERS 7, BUCCANEERS 3.

Kansas City (-6) at Washington — The Chiefs (0-5) are fending off trade offers for some of their best players. The Redskins (2-3) need RB Clinton Portis to be better than his 3.7 per carry average.
CHIEFS 17, REDSKINS 14.

St. Louis (-10) at Jacksonville — The Rams (0-5) last won on Oct. 19, 2008. The Jaguars (2-3) start a stretch of three consecutive games against winless teams — St. Louis, Tennessee and Kansas City.
JAGUARS 12, RAMS 10.

Philadelphia (+15) at Oakland — QB Donovan McNabb looks fit and in good form after completing 16 of 21 passes last week. The Eagles (3-1) shouldn’t need such accuracy this week. The Raiders (1-4) are laughable.
EAGLES 42, RAIDERS 13.

Arizona (-3) at Seattle — The Cardinals (2-2) have the league’s best run defense but also the league worst pass defense. The return of QB Matt Hasselbeck meant big things for the Seahawks (2-3) last week. Hasselbeck completed 7 of 7 passes for three TDs on first down against Jacksonville in Week 6.
CARDINALS 27, SEAHAWKS 24.

Tennessee (-9) at New England — Is there a team more dissapointing that the Titans (0-5)? Not unless it’t the Patriots (3-2), who are 3-1 against Tennessee since 2001.
PATRIOTS 30, TITANS 13.

Buffalo (-10) at N.Y. Jets — The Bills (1-4) are feeling the T.O. effect. Usually the volatile receiver plays at least one good season before he implodes a team. Not this time. The Jets (3-2) have lost two consecutive as teams have begun to figure out Broadway Carlos.
JETS 20, BILLS 3.

Chicago (-4) at Atlanta — The Bears (3-1) are starting to shine on offense. QB Jay Cutler is starting to make Bears fans say Kyle Who? The Falcons (3-1) found their offensive stride last week. QB Matt Ryan may already be one of the NFL’s Top 5 at his position.
FALCONS 28, BEARS 24.

Denver (-3) at San Diego — A key matchup among the two best teams in the AFC West. The Broncos (5-0) are still finding ways to win games with Kyle Who. The Chargers (2-2) hope QB Philip Rivers can continue his strong play against Denver. Rivers has thrown 12 TDs in six career starts against the Broncos.
CHARGERS 28, BRONCOS 21.

LAST WEEK: 10-4. SEASON: 28-13.