High School Football Picks: Week 1

Rule of thumb: California schools always beat those from Nevada.
Huntington Beach 31, Coronado 18

I would be more inclined to pick the upset if this game was at Coronado.
Huntington Beach 27, Coronado 20

Good luck to The Ranch, but Cali vs. Nevada theory tough to overcome..
Calabasas 52, Rancho 0

Luck couldn’t even begin to be enough.
Calabasas 67, Rancho 0

Here’s the exception to the rule: Gorman is really good, handles big-time opponent in front of 20,000-plus fans.
Gorman 42, Servite 19

Servite has one of the best offenses in the nation, but Gorman has an even better defense.
Gorman 28, Servite 17

Hate to pick against my alma mater, but Eldog’s Josh Brown will be best player on the field.
Eldorado 29, Chaparral 13

Starting with Brown and Tyler Spivey, Sundevils have reasons to be optimistic this season.
Eldorado 32, Chaparral 20

Pahrump Valley returns most of its starting lineup from last year. And it’s a home game.
Pahrump Valley 22, Bonanza 19

Bengals earn hard-fought victory with late scoring surge.
Bonanza 34, Pahrump Valley 30

Centennial’s offense will be a work in progress early in the season.
Palo Verde 34, Centennial 20

Relieved to see this rivalry endure through continued alignment changes.
Palo Verde 27, Centennial 24

I pick Desert Pines way too much. Won’t stop anytime soon. DP are you with me?
Desert Pines 31, Desert Oasis 27

Jaguars have some questions to answer this season. Diamondbacks have more.
Desert Pines 38, Desert Oasis 31

The Del Sol defense needs to prove itself before I pick them.
Valley 39, Del Sol 23

Could quietly go down as one of the games of the week.
Valley 42, Del Sol 40

Four-time defending Sunrise champion Liberty gets unexpected surprise from Basic.
Liberty 56, Basic 20

Unless Basic laces the visitor’s locker room with booby traps, it won’t give Liberty anything remotely resembling a surprise.
Liberty 33, Basic 25

Spring Valley gets its first Division I-A lesson. It takes a few trips to get comfortable with the travel.
Moapa Valley 28, Spring Valley 6

Grizzlies climb aboard to give Pirates real scare.
Moapa Valley 41, Spring Valley 34

Virgin Valley has new players in most key spots; gets confidence-building win.
Virgin Valley 42, Western 0

How are Western and Rancho not playing each other this season?
Virgin Valley 42, Western 0

Sierra Vista’s Maliek Broady should lead the state in rushing after this game.
Sierra Vista 44, Sunrise Mountain 13

Sunrise Mountain puts up a better fight than Brewer anticipates.
Sierra Vista 29, Sunrise Mountain 18

The speed of Milan Dixon and Ty’Rek Wells too much for Boulder City to contain.
Clark 16, Boulder City 14

Clark will find Boulder City’s physicality tough to handle.
Boulder City 20, Clark 13

Wishing it was the 1998 version of this game when both teams were powers.
Cimarron 31, Cheyenne 14

Desert Shields nearly knocked off Spartans last year. They finish the job this time.
Cheyenne 26, Cimarron 24

In a battle of defending state champions, Faith Lutheran represents Nevada with a big-time out-of-state win.
Faith Lutheran 24, Shelley 19

Faith Lutheran might be the best team in Nevada, but it’s got a ways to go to be among the best in the west.
Shelley 34, Faith Lutheran 16

Tough roadie to open the season for Mo-Town. They’ll lose, but gain valuable experience.
Skyview 32, Mojave 17

Unfortunately, Idaho gets the best of Nevada again.
Skyview 28, Mojave 27

Tough opener for Foothill against quality St. George team.
Desert Hills 43, Foothill 19

It's a late-August tradition for Desert Hills to beat up on a team from Las Vegas.
Desert Hills 36, Foothill 24

Gators will win a lot of game this year … starting next week. Safe travels.
Charter Oak 42, Green Valley 31

Gators will make it a game, but last year's 41-17 pasting in week 1 is causing me hesitation.
Charter Oak 34, Green Valley 30