Friday picks

Besides my homer pick of the Lions, a pretty darn good day for me. Let’s see if I can’t continue this trend. Adding in the high school picks to the college palate.

High School

Central Division
Rancho Verde at Colton
Definitely a study of contrasts here, as Rancho Verde likes to spread it out and light it up through the air while Colton will pound on the ground. Historically, the quarterfinal round has been a bugaboo for the Yellowjackets, but they are on a serious roll and at home. We’ll show Colton some Thanksgiving faith.
Colton 38, Rancho Verde 32

Colony at Arroyo Valley
The high-flying, spread throwing Hawks host only their second game since September. That fact trips me out a bit, but they got a heck of an opponent in defending CIF champion and No. 1 seed Colony. The Titans barely got past a mediocre Burbank Burroughs team, but that wake up call will help them get out of Arroyo alive – barely.
Colony 28, Arroyo Valley 27

Moreno Valley at Cajon
Of the SAL trio, Cajon is definitely the surprise, as they ran over a traditionally stout Pasadena Muir program. It will be interesting to see if the Cowboys will continue their four-game winning streak. They have a puncher’s chance, but Moreno Valley is just a little too good.
Moreno Valley 26, Cajon 21

Eastern Division
Palm Desert at Serrano
Once upon a time, Sept. 14 to exact, I picked Palm Desert to come into Serrano and win. Of course, I’m an idiot, as the Diamondbacks pounded Palm Desert 27-12. I’m not repeating the mistake. The D-backs got a scare against Bloomington, but that will only help them Friday.
Serrano 28, Palm Desert 10

Kaiser at Riverside North
These guys seem to play more than the Kings and Ducks play, as Friday will mark the fourth time that the Cats have faced the Huskies in the past two seasons. I could use some lame dogs over cats reference, but pointing out that Kaiser has only scored 7 points in three games with North does the trick for me. I predict Kaiser will score, but only once.
Riverside North 20, Kaiser 6

Hesperia at Riverside King
To outline the weirdness which is Riverside, this game is being played at Citrus Hill High School while the North game will be at King High. Wouldn’t it have made sense to just put the North game at Citrus Hill and kept King at home? Probably, but alas, that’s not the way it is. It doesn’t matter where the Scorpions play, their defense plays fierce.
Hesperia 20, King 14

East Valley Division
Citrus Hill at Big Bear
It’s the perfect matchup really. You got the No. 1 seeded team going against the defending CIF champs at their place. Big Bear saw its 17-game win streak snapped by Citrus Hill in September and you better believe that the Bears will be fired up. to avenge that loss. Kriss Proctor might also play after missing the last three games with an elbow injury. I say Citrus Hill wins a classic.
Citrus Hill 23, Big Bear 21

Twentynine Palms at Riverside Notre Dame
The Wildcats, like their De Anza brothers in Big Bear, also have a score to settle, as Notre Dame went up to Twentynine Palms in early October and escaped with a 35-28 victory. The Wildcat defense has been on a mission since then, a mission that should lead the Wildcats to the win.
Twentynine Palms 17, Notre Dame 14

Aquinas at Bishop
The surging Falcons, winners of five straight, make the long trip up US-395 to Bishop riding the two-RB combination of Dwaine Radden and Carlis Teran. Teran’s emergence late has bumped Aquinas’ play to the next level and should help Aquinas keep its win streak going.
Aquinas 28, Bishop 10

Inland Division
Redlands East Valley at Norco
Here’s the heayvweight bout of the week. In one corner is Norco, a two-time defending CIF champion who has still been a force despite injuries. In the other corner you have REV, who can score on anyone thanks to superstar running back Chris Polk. The Wildcats aren’t scoring 60 this week, but they won’t give up 53 either.
REV 28, Norco 20

Miller at Temecula Chaparral
The Pumas are used to throttling prolific offenses, having held Los Osos to only 7 points in last week’s win. However, the Rebels have barely been slowed at all, with dual-threat quarterback A.J. Springer leading the Rebels to within one point of an undefeated record. Chaparral doesn’t quite have the firepower to stay equal here.
Miller 24, Chaparral 17

Now, some quick college spreads as I continue my battle against my food coma.

COLORADO (-4) over Nebraska
MISS. STATE (-6.5) over Mississippi
LSU (-13.5) over Arkansas
TEXAS A&M (+6) over Texas
Boise State (+3) over HAWAII

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