Weekend picks

No rhyme or reason, but I've got to start trusting those South County schools after going 8-4 last week, improving to 33-8 on the season.

Salinas vs. Palma at the Sports Complex, 7:30 p.m.: The Cowboys are unbeaten on the road. Their only win over Palma in the last 15 years came at the Sports Complex. I'm not buying. Pick: Palma.
Alisal at San Benito, 7:30 p.m.: Despite scoring six points last week, the Balers are the highest scoring team in the TCAL. Alisal is coming off a 34 point win. Pick. San Benito.
Christopher at Monterey, 7:30 p.m.: The mental makeup of the Toreadores was tested this week. Look for them to rebound and silence their critics. Pick: Monterey.
Carmel at Greenfield, 7:30 p.m.: Establishing its ground game will keep Carmel's offense off the field. But it will only serve as a temporary fix for the unbeaten Bruins. Pick: Carmel.
King City at Soledad, 7:30 p.m.: Soledad was effective throwing the ball last week. King City makes its living on the ground. Pick: King City.
Seaside vs. Pajaro Valley at Watsonville, 7:30 p.m.: The Spartans' last loss to a CCS opponent came at Watsonville. Last week's setback to Atascadero woke up a sleeping giant. Pick: Seaside.
Stevenson at Gonzales, 7:30 p.m.: Owners of its first two-game winning streak since 2003, the last time Gonzales won three straight, it went to the playoffs. Pick: Stevenson.
Marina at Pacific Grove, 7:30 p.m.: If it's true the coaching staff at Pacific Grove walked out on the players for one day, this was the week to do it. Pick: Pacific Grove.
Saturday's games
Watsonville at North County, 2 p.m.: The highest scoring team in the county has to be careful not to look ahead to Seaside in eight days: Pick: North County.
Gilroy vs. North Salinas at the Sports Complex, 7:30 p.m.: Playing for the win rather than tie last week was a brave move for a North Salinas team still winless: Pick: North Salinas.