Football picks

No rhyme or reason, yet I was nine seconds away from being perfect. Still 13-1 improves the overall mark to 32-7.
Friday's games
 Salinas at Terra Nova: Last year Terra Nova quarterback Anthony Gordon threw for 384 yards against Salinas. Pick: Salinas.
 Seaside at Soquel: How did it get to this, that the Spartans do not have a true quarterback? Pick: Soquel.
 Menlo-Atherton at Monterey: The Bears have lost to two teams this fall that are a combined 7-0. Pick: Monterey.
 Palma at Palo Alto: Unless former Palo Alto QB Jim Harbaugh is behind center, the Chieftains are headed to a 4-0 start. Pick: Palma.
 Soledad at Alisal: Special teams and defense have accounted for as many points as Soledad's offense. Pick: Soledad.
 North County at Alvarez: For as good as the Eagles offense has been, the defense has been better. Pick: Alvarez.
 Santa Cruz vs. North Salinas at Rabobank: Dating back to last year, the Vikings have won five straight games at Rabobank. Pick: North Salinas.
 Hilmar at Pacific Grove: Hilmar (13-1 last year) has dropped its last two games by three points. Pick: Pacific Grove.
 Pajaro Valley at Gonzales: It's been four years since the Spartans put together a winning streak. Pick: Gonzales.
Saturday's games
 Stevenson at St. Francis Catholic: Defense stepped up for the Pirates in the second half last week. Pick: Stevenson.
  Hartnell at Cabrillo: The Panthers are averaging a state leading 52.8 points a game. Cabrillo is giving up 50 points a game. Pick: Hartnell.
  MPC at West Hills, Coalinga: The Lobos will need to run the ball to keep West Hills' offense off it. Pick: West Hills.