JOHN MAFFEI’S PICKS
This week’s predictions for 10 selected games
No. 2 St. Augustine (2-0) at No. 1 Cathedral Catholic (2-0)
When: Today, 7 p.m.
Preview: Holy Bowl! Enough said. Prediction: Cathedral Catholic 24, St. Augustine 17
Helix (0-2) at Steele Canyon (1-1)
When: Today, 7 p.m.
Preview: Strange to see Helix winless, but Highlanders have lost to No. 2 St. Augustine and No. 5 Mater Dei Catholic. Steele Canyon opened with a win over El Capitan, but lost to No. 1 Cathedral Catholic.
Prediction: Helix 28, Steele Canyon 14
Mira Mesa (0-1) at La Jolla (1-0)
When: Today, 7 p.m.
Preview: Mira Mesa opened with a loss to an underrated Christian team. La Jolla, behind a pair of TD passes from Jackson Stratton to Diego Solis, beat Morse.
Prediction: La Jolla 24, Mira Mesa 20
Patrick Henry (1-0) at Madison (0-1)
When: 7 p.m. today
Preview: Henry got 244 yards total offense from QB Ash Bibbe and 200 rushing yards from Jason Oliveira in a win over Scripps Ranch. Madison lost a hard-fought decision to No. 2 St. Augustine.
Prediction: Madison 28, Patrick Henry 21
No. 4 Carlsbad (1-0) at San Marcos (2-0)
When: 7:15 p.m. today
Preview: Brenden Palguta and Tyler Nolte returned interceptions for TDs and Paulo Burak had a 95-yard kickoff return in Carlsbad’s win over Torrey Pines. San Marcos has allowed just 13 points in wins over La Costa Canyon and Coronado.
Prediction:
Carlsbad 28, San Marcos 14
No. 10 Grossmont (1-0) at No. 9 Granite Hills (2-0)
When: 7 p.m. today
Preview: Grossmont rolled up 463 yards total offense in a win over West Hills. Granite Hills has outscored Valhalla and El Capitan 104-28. Prediction: Grossmont 35, Granite Hills 28
Bonita Vista (0-0) at Eastlake (0-0)
When: Today, 6:30 p.m.
Preview: A late opener for both teams, with new coaches — Tyler Arciaga at Bonta Vista and Jose Mendoza at Eastlake. Prediction: Eastlake 21, Bonita Vista 12
Otay Ranch (0-0) at Hilltop (0-0)
When: Today, 6:30 p.m.
Preview: Another late opener with Otay Ranch coming off a 4-7 season and Hilltop under the direction of new coach and alum Bryan Wagner. Prediction: Hilltop 20, Otay Ranch 17
Hoover (0-0) at Crawford (1-0)
When: Today, 7 p.m.
Preview: Hoover is playing its first game under new coach Will Gray. Crawford opened with a win over San Ysidro.
Prediction: Crawford 25, Hoover 18
Valley Center (1-0) at Escondido (1-0)
When: 7 p.m. today
Preview: Valley Center beat Fallbrook behind RB Colton Crossley, who had 32 carries for 165 yards and 2 TDs. Escondido got 317 yards total offense from QB Robbie Ramos in a win over Rancho Buena Vista.
Prediction: Valley Center 28, Escondido 24
Last week: 7-3 Total: 10-6