I didn't want to steal any thunder from our Condors Talk blog but I had to put my two cents on what I saw of the Condors game Saturay against Fresno.

I was working in the office Saturday night but when Condors beat writer Mike Griffith told me about a Truelson's shot and then the line brawl with as much enthusiam as he had over the phone, I had to watch the replay on Bright house 21.

First of all, how in the world does Truelson make that shot at the end of the second period. More importantly, what was the Fresno goalie doing? I couldn't see from the replay (*Note, a few more camera angles would be nice Bright house for the next game) but it looked like the puck hit a chunk of ice and just angled top left shelf. Did time run out before it went in? I'm glad the ECHL doesn't have video replay because that goal might not have counted.

Secondly, the goal that was taken away because of goalie interference. C'mon no interference at all but maybe that was a makeup for Truelson's trick shot.

And finally, the line brawl. Nothing like taking the gloves and sweater off to trade a few jabs with some knuckleheads. Kudelka dropped his guy and still kept punching. Venedam was outsized but did a great job of keeping an arm's length away until he could get in those punches to the head and ear. Now, Sean remember to keep that chin tucked cause you took a nasty one at the end.

On a personal note, I saw a line brawl and goalies go at it two years ago between the Charlotte Checkers and the Pee Dee Pride. Not often do you get to see goalies skate to center ice, drop their gloves and take off their masks.

Marty Raymond said this year's team was going to be physical, now we know it.

We bid adieu to two experts this week. Prep writer Brad Riddell and college writer Mason Kelley are both leaving The Californian for greener pastures, sunnier beaches and dare I say, more money. Folks, let me just say it's the nature of the industry. 

Quality, young reporters tend to move on at an alarming rate. Both took jobs in major markets for magazines and both I'm sure will enjoy some sense of normalcy, as far as a work schedule.

I know you're saying, "What's it mean to me?" Well, two less experts should give you better odds at beating us. I've already talked with Jester and told him to quit sandbagging. So in the immortal words of presidential loser John Kerry, "Bring it on."

With that said, it's time for my weekly winners, errrr, losers:

North at Centennial: North has a two-game win streak but their wins have come at the hands of losing programs. Golden Hawks roll.

South at West: Rebels got their one win this season. West has found a game-breaker in Dion Curry.

Ridgeview at Stockdale: You never want to use win-loss records as a basis for coaching hiring/firings but this game has more riding on it than what shows up in the win-loss column.

Garces at Foothill: I'm picking the Trojans, which means they'll lose.

Golden Valley vs. Frontier: Teams start contest with identical 2-5 records. Golden Valley clearly the superior team.

Santa Barbara at Bakersfield College: Clearly, the Renegades a cut above the beauty school wannabees. Oh, wrong Santa Barbara school. BC still wins.

Auburn at LSU: Look at last week. I picked LSU but said they'd lose. I hate it when I'm right. Tigers win this game. The Bengal Tigers.

Florida at Kentucky: Did you hear Indiana was building a new state zoo? They're putting a fence around Kentucky. Gators find a way to win by 10.

California at UCLA: Taking the Bears here because I'm not taking the NFL Bears.

Michigan at Illinois: Mike Hart is a game-time decision. Even with him, Wolverines don't have a chance.

Baltimore at Buffalo: Willis McGahee returns to the team that drafted him. Buffalo has lost a couple of close games as of late. They find a way to beat their former teammate.

New England at Miami: I'd love for Miami to hand the Patsies their first loss but I don't think it's going to happen. Tom Brady will be dropping back for passes a whole lot in this game.

Chicago at Philadelphia: Bears get beat by their 2008 starting QB -- Donovan McNabb.

Minnesota at Dallas: Last week, I correctly picked the Vikings to beat the Bears. I'm picking them to beat the Cowboys. Insane, sort of. But my back's being killing me and I don't wanna sleep on the sofa.

Indianapolis at Jacksonsville: This is a trap game. My favorite team against a team that has won four straight. Also the Jaguars rushed for what 300-plus yards in last year's game. I'm scared but I'm still picking Peyton Manning.

Our barnyard colleague, Jester, proved exactly what we thought could and ultimately would happen when we dreamed up the idea of having him make picks in our Beat the Experts contest.

After flirting with the Mendoza line for correct picks in previous weeks, the buck got out of his rut -- figuratively and from what owner Mike Griffith says literally -- this week with a 13-2 mark. He was the only expert to pick Garces High to win in the high school football games. Griffith couldn't be the "dumb" luck his prized picker had.

As for myself, I'm back to the norm. A 9-6 mark thanks to a 1-4 day on Saturday.

Here are my picks for Week 6:

Taft at Tehachapi: Taft is undefeated, Tehachapi is 5-1. I'm giving the Warriors a 7-point swing for playing at home and having an extra week to prepare for this game.

Golden Valley at Bakersfield: Game gets ugly early. Drillers dominate both sides of the ball.

East at Liberty: Injuries have hit East hard. Losing the county's, if not Central Section's, premiere RB doesn't help. Liberty wins by 14.

Foothill at Highland: I pick against Foothill for the fourth time this year. I hope it doesn't haunt me. Seriously, I have no problem with Trojans.  Just don't like the matchup this week.

Ridgeview at North: Back-to-back wins for the Stars.

Bakersfield College at Citrus: Don't know anything about Citrus except they have a winning record.

Missouri at Oklahoma: I'm kissing up to Assitant Managing Editor and Mizzou alum James Bennett.

Texas A&M at Texas Tech: Aggies because former Colts linbebacker Quentin Coryatt went there.

LSU at Kentucky: I pick the Tigers so the Wildcats will win.

Oregon State at California: Da Bears.

Minnesota at Chicago: Gut feeling? Nah...it's my wife whispering Sweet Nothings in my ear if I don't pick the Vikings.

Carolina at Arizona: Can't believe the Panthers went with AARP for their Carr insurance.

Philadelphia at N.Y. Jets: Westbrook plays, Eagles roll.

Oakland at San Diego: Chargers win but please, please, please Raiders stop L.T. I need a win in fantasy football.

New England at Dallas: These are two evil empires. Unfortunately, I have to pick the greater of two evils.

After two miserable weeks I was ready to call it a career. You can ask my wife. She actually thought she was going to make my picks last week because I was so down on myself.  Well, I redeemed myself as an expert with a 12-3 finish. That was the best finish among the panel, and only two local entrants bettered my score.

Luis Velazquez was the overall winner for the week, I'm guessing he picked the Raiders to beat Miami. Last time I listen to Joey Porter.

Enough with the gloating and here's a look at my Week 5 picks.

HIGH SCHOOLS

Stockdale at Centennial: Mustangs blew a piston against Tehachapi. Not good when you're driving a four-cylinder to begin with.

Foothill at Bakersfield: Seriously, Foothill is thorn in my side, the speck of dirt in my contact, the pebble in my shoe, pain in my posterior...Drillers win a close one.

Garces at East: Rams playing more like lambs against quality opponents. 

South at North: I'm a Yankee from Indiana. South never wins in these kind of skirmishes.

Liberty vs. Golden Valley: So why doesn't Golden Valley have a home field? I'm still confused on that. Look at it this way, somebody wins at Stockdale tonight.

COLLEGES
Virginia Tech at Clemson: Steve Spurrier had a great line this week about how they thought they accomplished something by beating Clemson, until Kentucky beat Clemson. I think the TIgers use that to take care of VaTech.

Florida at LSU: I'm stupid. Seriously, I need to quick picking against LSU.

Ohio State at Purdue: I have one Big Ten team I root for. Yep, the Boilers and well, anyone that plays Indiana.

Oklahoma at Texas: This is more like the Pink Pond Pagent after the way these two patsies played last week. I take the Sooners in this beauty contest.

North Texas at Lafayette: I believe Dominic Rhodes played at North Texas. He had a few good years with the Colts.

NFL

N.Y. Jets at N.Y. Giants: I think Manning finds the TE over the middle. Like a former colleague use to say, "It'll work every time."

Tampa Bay at Indianapolis: I'm hedging my bets that Joseph Addai plays for at least 3 quarters. Colts win on a last-second FG.

San Diego at Denver: I don't know what I was sniffing when I made this pick. The Broncos have the second-worst rush defense in the NFL.

Chicago at Green Bay: At some point Favre breaks a hip.

Arizona at St. Louis: Gus Frerotte is starting for the Rams. What Jeff George wasn't available?