I can't seem to shake this feeling that this week is going by soooo slowly. I even took Monday off, and yet it feels like it should be Friday afternoon already. I almost don't have the energy to go through all of these predictions.

Nah, I take that back. I can always get up for some predictions, especially when I rocked and rolled to a 15-4 mark the week before.

The Good: 15-4! Are you kidding me? Everything was good. But especially picking BHS to win a close, defensive battle and Highland, Garces and West to win.

The Bad: Thinking South could hang with Foothill; expecting Stockdale to dispatch Centennial easily.

The Ugly: Um, picking Delano to lose to Golden West wasn't good. But here's what was really ugly — Frontier scored late to pull within 25-20 against North, then went for two. An extra point would have made the final 25-21, just like I said it would be.

If you can't tell, I'm bragging while I still have the chance. Here's Week 5 predictions that will probably fall flat on their face:

Friday, Oct. 10
HIGHLAND (4-0, 1-0 SEYL) AT GARCES (3-1, 1-0) — I'd owe you a lot of money if you had bet me that these teams' combined record would be 7-1 when they met. (Ahem, not that we condone betting at School House Zach.) Garces is dangerous because you don't know what to expect, but I like Highland — it's dangerous because you know what to expect (to get hit in the mouth). By the way, it's breast cancer awareness night at Highland, so if you're out there, pick up a T-shirt or a hat to support the American Cancer Society.
Prediction: Highland 24, Garces 14

CENTENNIAL (1-3) AT BAKERSIELD (2-2) — Another week, another showdown at Griffith Field. This one has plenty of intrigue, from Centennial's corner-turning win against East followed by a hearbreaker against Stockdale to BHS' comeback against Liberty last week to Driller RB Alfonso Jackson's injury, which at this point is still a bit of a mystery. I don't know how serious it is, but I can say (1) it's a knee injury and (2) he's not playing this week, at least according to coach Paul Golla. Doesn't mean Centennial can pull the upset, though.
Prediction: Bakersfield 31, Centennial 20

FOOTHILL (3-1, 0-0 SEYL) AT LIBERTY (1-3, 0-1) — Panic probably almost set in at Foothill when the Trojans opened with a one-point loss to Arvin and a one-point win at Ridgeview, but after a couple of offensive outbursts, the Trojans are sitting pretty at 3-1. Getting to 4-1 will be harder, with Liberty's defense hoppin' mad after blowing one to BHS.
Prediction: Liberty 26, Foothill 21

SOUTH (2-2, 0-0 SWYL) AT STOCKDALE (4-0, 1-0) — Stockdale is like this guy: Makes you worry for pretty much the whole show, then comes through at the end. Since the Mustangs clobbered East to start the year, they've had three straight wins come down to the wire. That means the jury's still deliberating. A revenge game against South could offer some more evidence for the "they're for real" side.
Prediction: Stockdale 42, South 27

WEST (2-2, 1-0 SWYL) VS. FRONTIER (2-2, 0-1) AT SHAFTER — The Vikings might have righted their ship last week against Ridgeview. We'll find out a little more against Frontier, which might not have the defensive size to match up with West's line. Then again, the Titans have shown a knack for sticking around — and even sometimes winning — close games.
Prediction: West 29, Frontier 17

NORTH (3-1, 1-0 SWYL) AT RIDGEVIEW (1-3, 0-1) — Julian Dean-Johnson, he of the 283 yards on 13 carries last week, has game-breaking potential, to say the least. But the Stars are mistake-prone and the Wolf Pack is familiar with North's Wing T offense and can pose an upset threat here. I just don't quite have the guts to call it.
Prediction: North 32, Ridgeview 28

EAST (1-3, 0-1 SEYL) AT GOLDEN VALLEY (2-2, 0-1) — Critical game for Bulldogs, who were so close to knocking off Garces last week and moving to 3-1. Instead, these teams will fight for their league lives Friday. It says here Golden Valley will take care of business against banged-up Blades.
Prediction: Golden Valley 30, East 14

DELANO (3-1, 0-0 EYL) AT PORTERVILLE-MONACHE (3-1, 1-0) — Tough test for Delano to open league play, though the Tigers have looked solid enough to win this one. I still can't figure out how Delano gave up 53 to Hanford West a couple of weeks ago. I guess the short answer is that we're talking about high school kids, and stuff happens. Not this week.
Prediction: Delano 27, Monache 13

TAFT (3-1) AT PORTERVILLE (2-2) — Wildcats probably are disappointed they even have one loss as league play begins; they won't let another one happen with the SSL on tap next week.
Prediction: Taft 30, Porterville 13

FRESNO-McLANE (0-4) AT WASCO (2-2) — Wasco couldn't have gone to much more opposite ends of the spectrum. A week after playing unscored-upon Corcoran, the Tigers face McLane, which has scored 26 points in four games and has lost 15 straight games.
Prediction: Wasco 43, McLane 8

TULARE WESTERN (0-4, 0-1 EYL) AT CHAVEZ (1-3, 0-1) — This could be the battle for the cellar (Granite Hills will be in the discussion, too) in the EYL. Then again, Chavez has played a tough schedule and could surprise you.
Prediction: Chavez 36, Tulare Western 10

McFARLAND (1-3) AT LINDSAY (0-4) — Cardinals haven't won in 27 games, a streak that's two weeks away from reaching three years. That's going to give some motivation to a team that has a legitmate shot against McFarland.
Prediction: Lindsay 26, McFarland 22

PASADENA-POLY (2-1) AT DESERT (4-1) — I feel like it's games like these that make or break my prediction record the following week. I'm riding with the Scorpions' Terrance Wells and the difficult-to-defend triple option offense.
Prediction: Desert 37, Poly 28

HESPERIA (4-0) AT BURROUGHS (3-1) — The Burros had a bit of a letdown on their trip into Arvin last week. It'll be good to be home again, but Hesperia is also a lot better than Arvin, methinks.
Prediction: Hesperia 28, Burroughs 20

PANORAMA CITY-ST. GENEVIEVE (4-1) AT FRAZIER MOUNTAIN (1-3) — High Desert League play starts next week, with the whole pack likely chasing Desert. The Falcons, who get the Scorpions first, could do themselves a favor by getting out of this one healthy.
Prediction: St. Genevieve 31, Frazier Mountain 14

KERN VALLEY (3-2) AT LA HABRA-WHITTIER CHRISTIAN (2-3) — The Broncs are 2-0 on the road this season. Who says you need the mountain air to win?
Prediction: Kern Valley 23, Whittier Christian 19

BIG BEAR (2-1-1) AT ROSAMOND (1-4) — Big Bear hails from the mighty De Anza Conference, full of small-school powerhouses down south. Unfortunately, that likely means De Fifth Loss for Rosamond.
Prediction: Big Bear 34, Rosamond 3

YERMO-SILVER VALLEY (2-2) AT MOJAVE (3-2) — A must-win for the Mustangs if they're going to lay dibs to that lone independent playoff spot in the Southern Section's Northeast Division.
Prediction: Mojave 24, Silver Valley 23

BORON (4-1) AT ACTON-VASQUEZ (0-4) — This one should just about be "name your score" for the Bobcats — who, by the way, might still play their way into conversation for a small-school CIF bowl berth. It's a long shot, but it's there.
Prediction: Boron 49, Vasquez 13

Saturday, Oct. 11
BAKERSFIELD CHRISTIAN (3-1) VS. SUN VALLEY-VILLAGE CHRISTIAN (2-3) AT GRANADA HILLS-KENNEDY — It's really too bad BCHS is seven students too big for the small-school bowl division, because this is a good chance to show the Southern Section exactly how good this team is.
Prediction: Bakersfield Christian 40, Village Christian 21

LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN (1-3) AT ESCONDIDO-CHRISTIAN LIFE ACADEMY (2-2) — My parents own a timeshare in Escondido. Nice place. Lighthouse, meanwhile, doesn't care where it comes, it just needs a victory. I'm going to roll with my gut on this one and give it to the Guardians.
Prediction: Lighthouse Christian 31, Christian Life Academy 28

MARICOPA (1-3, 0-0 COAST VALLEY LEAGUE) AT SHANDON (0-4, 0-0) — League  play opens for the eight-man schools, too, and Maricopa has a nice warm-up before the meat of the schedule hits.
Prediction: Maricopa 52, Shandon 22

TRONA (3-1, 1-0 HI-LO LEAGUE) AT IMMANUEL CHRISTIAN (2-3, 0-1) — The Crusaders showed a lot of promise at the beginning of the year, but I've lost faith with three straight losses. Force me back on the bandwagon, boys.
Prediction: Trona 51, Immanuel Christian 34

Last week: 15-4 (.789)    Season: 69-31 (.690)

Week 5 podcast, a jumbo version, coming tomorrow.