Looking for help, a little luck

Ouch. My worst week yet.

The number of games I got wrong (four) was the same as the number of times I got rejected by girls.

I was really bummin' till I saw all the response I get from writing this column. Then bummin' even more when I saw it was mostly from guys.

Feel free to leave me comments or e-mail me. Even if you want to tell me I'm brutal. (Trust me, you won't be the first.)

It lets me know you're reading and maybe even laughing.

Maybe reaching into the mailbox will help me get some picks right. I need all the help I can get.

• Liberty (3-1, 1-0) at Del Sol (3-1, 0-0) -- L.F. on B.A. wrote: "Why you gotta be such a hater on the Patriots?

"Keep picking against us and we'll keeping winning."

Liberty proved me wrong last week. Sage Nua and the Patriots didn't just beat Silverado, they blanked the Skyhawks and held them to minus-2 rushing yards.

Now explain the loss to Valley. Stop Saei Huihui and the Dragons this week and I'll be even more impressed. Del Sol by 3.

• Las Vegas (3-1, 1-0) at Chaparral (2-2, 1-0) -- C.B. from F.R. wrote: "I'd love to see someone knock off Las Vegas. Does Chap have a chance this week?"

At least as much of one as I do of having a winning week. Doesn't look good, does it?

The Wildcats haven't shown their best yet, and Coach Faircloth let them know it in practice this week. It made me cringe.

I'm thinking lots of Reggie Bullock tonight. Las Vegas by 10.

• Cimarron-Memorial (2-2, 1-0) at Arbor View (4-0, 1-0) -- J.P. from S.L. wrote: "How about some love for my Spartans?

"Two straight blowout wins, Stephen Nixon has six TDs in the last two games, and our defense is tight. We're going all the way."

Yep, all the way to Arbor View this week and right into Gabe Toney.

Don't get me wrong. I like Nixon, but the Aggies have played out of their minds this year. Check out DeMarlo Virgil this week.

This is a great matchup, but I've never had the chance to say 5-0 Aggies before. Arbor View by 4.

• Cheyenne (3-1, 0-1) at Mojave (0-3, 0-0) -- Tracy from C.H. wrote: "We want to know which cheerleader you think is smokin.' "

That's easy. When they stand in a circle, it's the one on the end.

I was way off on Cheyenne last week, but who knew they were going to drop the ball all over the field? Two hands, guys.

Little-known Donnel Thompson gets the Shields back on track this week. Cheyenne by 18.

• Spring Valley (3-0, 1-0) at Bishop Gorman (4-1, 1-0) -- J.G. from M.V. wrote: "What's up with you commenting on these hot cheerleaders every week? How old are you? I can't believe the R-J lets you publish garbage like that."

I'm 17. They're hot. And I can't believe you read it ... every week.

Speaking of hot, Gorman is heating up again and looking for another league title.

Chase Cresto and Joe Huber can throw. Huber and Kawika Antolin can run, and there's no doubting Gorman's defense.

The Grizzlies will be Gorman's toughest league test, but even the game of Jacques Adams' life might not be enough. Gorman by 8.

• Clark (0-4, 0-1) at Durango (0-4, 0-1) -- T.J. on D.D. wrote: "I thought Durango was going to have a good year with a new coach and a bunch of good juniors.

"I don't get how we're 0-4. Chase Roberts is only a sophomore, but he throws it pretty good. Keiffer Mancebo is a solid receiver.

"We don't have a good running game, but Thomas Flanagan can catch it out of the backfield.

"Since your picks haven't been very good lately, can you do us a favor and pick against us? That should guarantee a Trailblazer win."

You got it, T.J. Too much Aaron Arlt in this one. Clark by 6.

• Faith Lutheran (3-1) at Desert Oasis (2-2) -- S.F. from R.J. wrote: "Is this schedule right? These teams play each other twice this year? Why is that?"

Because Desert Oasis is an independent and needs games. And Faith Lutheran is too smart to pass it up.

That old Francis Parker guy beat up on the Crusaders last week. John Cartier and Don Pearson tame the snakes this week. Faith Lutheran by 7.

• Tonopah (1-2, 1-0) at Spring Mountain (1-2, 0-0) -- T.A. from L.V. wrote: "I'm a huge fan of small-school football and have been overanxious to see Tonopah play this year.

"They haven't lost a league game since 2003 and won the Class 1A state title last year, but they started out with two losses this year.

"Scott Thibodeaux is throwing touchdown passes again, and Curt McElroy may be the best coach I've never actually met. Will they go undefeated in league play this year and win another state title?"

Can't speak for the rest of this year, T.A., but I can speak for the rest of this week. Spring Mountain has some talent up there on the hill, but the Muckers (love that name) are too good. Tonopah by 24.

Last week: 4-4 (spread), 4-4 (straight up)

Overall: 20-10 (spread), 23-7 (straight up)