PIGSKIN PROPHECIES

I am the Prophet, the all-telling, mostly knowing high school football forecaster whose wily and wondrously witting winning wisdom will be shared in this column throughout the fall. After humiliating most local celebrities with my weekly picks last season, this year I will take on The Times’ Orange County prep football writers each Thursday. My first guest is Ben Bolch, a transient reporter who knows nothing about the geographical areas he covers. Since graduating from Northwestern in 1996, Bolch has worked in Chicago, Durham, N.C., Santa Ana, Boston, Torrance and, now, Costa Mesa. Can you find your way to Trabuco Hills High, Ben?

GAME OF THE WEEK (5 points)

No. 2 Edison vs. El Toro at Trabuco Hills HS, Friday

THE PROPHET SAYS: How do you pick against mighty Edison, ranked second in the county, a team with a vaunted offense led by Division I talents at quarterback and running back? Of course, the answer is you don’t. This week. But make sure you check back with me come October when Sunset League play is about to begin. That’s when other heralded Edison teams of the past decade or so have ground to a halt. Edison, 38-20.

BOLCH SAYS: As far as high-voltage attacks go, Edison might only be rivaled by Southern California Edison. Running back Darryl Poston and quarterback Richard Schwartz are as dangerous as a live wire. El Toro’s offense, by comparison, is as potent as a used battery. El Toro returns only one starter and is throwing a junior varsity player into the fray at quarterback. Good luck. Edison, 45-3.

OTHER TOP GAMES (each 3 points)

No. 8 Fountain Valley at Dana Hills, Friday

THE PROPHET SAYS: Dana Hills Coach Scott Orloff says he likes to schedule tough teams--and he has a moderately tough one here--in the early going “so no one will intimidate us in league.” Yeah, that’ll work fine just as long as the Dolphins aren’t beaten to a pulp by then. Fountain Valley, 17-6.

BOLCH SAYS: Fountain Valley Coach Eric Johnson will awaken a sleeping giant in his second year, with the first wake-up call coming against Dana Hills. The Barons are stocked with everything but a personality to replace graduated defensive lineman Steven Fifita, a free spirit. Quarterback Casey Clark might crack a few jokes in the huddle once the score gets out of hand in this game, though. Fountain Valley, 24-3.

Foothill at No. 9 Tustin, Friday

THE PROPHET SAYS: First-year Coach Doug Case thinks he can give Foothill a 180-degree turn, which is exactly what the Knights need after a 2-8 season last year. Opening with Tustin isn’t a good start. The Tillers have 16 starters back, including nine from what was a formidable offense. Tustin, 35-10.

BOLCH SAYS: There’s a reason for Tustin Coach Myron Miller’s knowing smile: He knows this Foothill team isn’t up to the level of those the Tillers have faced in past openers. Tustin, 38-0.

No. 7 Loara vs. Western at Glover Stadium, Friday

THE PROPHET SAYS: Last year, you could count on one of two things happening: Western’s offense would explode . . . or implode. Turnovers hurt, especially when the Pioneer defense was doing its sieve impression. Loara has six starters back from a tough defense, including all-county back Rudy Acosta. Loara, 26-13.

BOLCH SAYS: The Prophet didn’t see the scowl on Western Coach Toby Howell’s face after last season ended with a surreal playoff loss to Brea Olinda. The Pioneers were ready to play the Wildcats the day before, but referees failed to show up until several hours after the scheduled start and the game was postponed against Howell’s wishes. Western had trouble getting up two days in a row and lost, but the Pioneers will open the 2000 season with a bang. Western, 35-28.

THE REST (1 point each)

* Anaheim at Fullerton, Tonight: The Prophet: New Coach Ben Haley is an Anaheim alum who says he remembers the Colonists’ glory years. Wow, he has a great memory. Fullerton, 15-14. Bolch: Anaheim, 21-17.

* Villa Park at Valencia, Tonight: The Prophet: Villa Park has a potent passing combination, but Valencia’s forte is defense. Valencia, 14-13. Bolch: Villa Park, 21-18.

* No. 5 Esperanza vs. Upland at Valencia HS, Friday: The Prophet: Upland is a top-notch team from Division II, but the Aztecs, with 15 returning starters, have their best team in several years. Esperanza, 24-14. Bolch: Esperanza, 27-24.

* Katella vs. Troy at Fullerton HS, Friday: The Prophet: Katella, with an enviable four starters back on the offensive line, should control the line of scrimmage. Katella, 20-14. Bolch: Troy, 28-14.

* Chino Hills Ayala vs. No. 10 Santa Margarita at CS Fullerton, Friday: The Prophet: No pressure here, but if Santa Margarita hopes to challenge in Division I, it needs to win games like this. Santa Margarita, 27-20. Bolch: Santa Margarita, 21-20.

* Woodbridge vs. Pacifica at Bolsa Grande HS, Friday: The Prophet: Woodbridge squeaked out a close one over Pacifica in an opener last season. Ditto. Woodbridge, 21-20. Bolch: Pacifica, 23-12.

* Kennedy vs. Savanna at Western HS, Friday: The Prophet: Solid players here, but no stars. Remember the good old days of Charlie Judge running for Kennedy and Steve DeBerg passing for Savanna? Whaddaya mean who? Kennedy, 20-10. Bolch: Savanna, 21-10.

* Aliso Niguel at Capistrano Valley, Friday: The Prophet: If Coach Jeff Veeder is correct, Capistrano Valley will improve 50% this season. That would give the Cougars three victories. They must come later. Aliso Niguel, 13-7. Bolch: Capistrano Valley, 17-10.

* Fallbrook vs. No. 1 Mater Dei at Santa Ana Stadium, Saturday: The Prophet: The Mater Dei coach says this group is as nasty as its coach. Yikes! Hide the children. Mater Dei, 31-10. Bolch: Mater Dei, 38-29.

* Santa Ana Valley vs. Santiago at Garden Grove HS, Saturday: The Prophet: Santa Ana Valley has a nice mix of returning starters. Santiago lost its coach to Anaheim. Enough said. Santa Ana Valley, 28-6. Bolch: Santa Ana Valley, 24-12.