High School Football Picks: Week 4

Some consider this the game of the year nationally.

Bishop Gorman travels to the Los Angeles area to face Mater Dei in a battle of the nation’s top-ranked teams. Mater Dei is No. 1, according to MaxPreps. Gorman, the reigning national champions, is ranked No. 2.

Gorman has won 27 straight games — last losing in 2022 to Mater Dei.

The picks column went 14-8 last week and sits at 34-20 for the season. Let’s take another crack at picking the winners, starting with the game of all games.

Bishop Gorman at Mater Dei (Calif.)

This feels like it’s the national championship game. Expect a back-and-forth affair. And expect Mater Dei to have an edge playing at home. Mater Dei 27, Gorman 23

Liberty at Mission Viejo (Calif.)

Don’t panic about Liberty’s slow start. Remember, the Patriots were 0-5 in 2019 and won the state championship. The goal hasn’t changed: Play the best teams early in the season to be ready for a showdown at state with Gorman. Mission Viejo 32, Liberty 23

Green Valley at Basic

Anyone have a coin? Another Henderson Bowl classic. Green Valley 22, Basic 19

Palo Verde at Arbor View

The Aggies will score more than 40 points for a third straight week. Arbor View 47, Palo Verde 13

Spring Valley vs. Slam Nevada

Slam has lost three straight games to open the season. I’m still a believer. Slam 28, Spring Valley 18

Boulder City at Sunrise Mountain

Sunrise Mountain, when it’s all said and done, will be playing meaningful games in November. Sunrise Mountain 20, Boulder City 19

Virgin Valley at Mojave

I’m starting to think Virgin Valley is the best team in the 3A Southern League. Virgin Valley 29, Mojave 26

Valley at Clark

Clark is exceeding expectations. Chargers improve to 3-0. Clark 42, Valley 15

Democracy Prep at Cimarron-Memorial

Cimarron-Memorial showed glimpses of good play last week. Cimarron-Memorial 29, Democracy Prep 22

Foothill at Silverado

The Victory Bell game isn’t considered one of the area’s better rivalry games. However, it usually produces a close finish. Foothill 31, Silverado 27

Lincoln (Calif.) at Coronado

This will be a high-scoring affair. Lincoln 42, Coronado 40

Quartz Hill (Calif.) at Shadow Ridge

Shadow Ridge isn’t as bad as a lopsided defeat in Idaho. They make a statement against a quality California program. Shadow Ridge 19, Quartz Hill 17

Desert Pines at Legacy

Don’t sleep on the Jaguars. Desert Pines 33, Legacy 29

Bonanza at Durango

Durango snapped an 11-game losing streak last week. This week, it starts a winning streak. Durango 19, Bonanza 0

Sierra Vista at Desert Oasis

Diamondbacks improve to 4-0 on the season. Yes, a 4-0 start. Desert Oasis 34, Sierra Vista 12

Pahrump at Somerset Losee

Pahrump is a different team when playing in Las Vegas. Losee 38, Pahrump 11

Snow Canyon (Utah) at Centennial

Centennial still looking for the magic of last season. Snow Canyon 31, Centennial 19

Moapa Valley at Canyon Springs

Moapa Valley is well on its way to another 10-win season. Moapa Valley 41, Canyon Springs 0

Eldorado at Coachella Valley

Always take the California team against the Las Vegas squad. Coachella Valley 30, Eldorado 8

Chaparral at Mater East

My Cowboys are a work in progress. Mater East 29, Chaparral 20

Rancho at Del Sol

Del Sol wins its second game in as many weeks to double its win total for 2023. Del Sol 20, Rancho 9