I would have no chance in a fight against former World Extreme Cagefighting lightweight champion “Razor” Rob McCullough of Huntington Beach. I mean, absolutely no chance. I would be tapping out as the bell sounded to start the fight. But “Razor” Rob stepped into my arena last week for the inaugural OCVarsity Pickapalooza Deathmatch. Big mistake. In a battle of wits and picking prowess, I can take on any foe.

The former Huntington Beach High product picked the Oilers and I took El Toro in a Zero Week matchup. Conner Manning and the rest of the Chargers did not let me down. The 2011 OC offensive player of the year completed a ridiculous 46 of 68 passes for 466 yards and six touchdowns to lead El Toro to a 47-24 triumph over Huntington Beach and delivering a knockout blow to “Razor” Rob.

By vanquishing “Razor” Rob I retained my “Gangster Last Supper” painting and added an autographed pair of MMA gloves from a former world champion and “The Ultimate Fighter” coach to my priceless art and memorabilia collection.

It’s time for Round 2. The game of the week is a classic crosstown rivalry between Tustin and Foothill. This is one of the best rivalries in the OC. Throw out the records in this game. When Tustin and Foothill hook up, it’s always a barnburner. These players grew up playing with and against each other. Only a couple miles separates the two schools. Pride and neighborhood bragging rights are on the line.

Foothill leads Tustin, 26-20-2, in the all-time series, but the Knights haven’t beaten the Tillers since 2008. Tustin beat Foothill, 27-14, in last year’s season opener and the Tillers edged the Knights, 21-20, in the semifinals en route to the CIF-SS Southwest Division championship.

Foothill surprised some OC football observers with a 28-14 victory over Fountain Valley. Knights quarterback Jack Gilchrist threw two touchdown passes and ran for two others to lead Foothill’s offense.

Both teams were impressive in Zero Week games last week. Tustin and its vaunted double-wing offense piled up 449 rushing yards in a 48-13 victory over Roosevelt of Eastvale. Edward Tandy led the way with 149 rushing yards and three TDs on nine carries. Tandy is also a best on defense, too.

I’m taking Tustin over Foothill and I’m going into my vault and putting my precious Obi-Wan Kenobi Star Wars bobblehead on the line. That’s how much I believe in coach Myron Miller and the Tillers.

Who has the guts and heart to step up and take on the reigning, defending and undisputed OCVarsity Pickapalooza Deathmatch champion in this winner-take-all donnybrook? Foothill girls basketball coach Vince Namba has accepted my challenge and will defend his school’s honor.

Namba has been a coach at Foothill for the past 15 years and he’s been the head coach the past eight. He has won six league titles and two CIF-SS championships during that time. He has coached some of the county’s all-time greats in Kristen Mann, Christina Marinacci and Molly Greubel. Last season, Namba guided the Knights to the CIF-SS Division 2A title and the CIF Southern California Division 2 regional finals.

But once again I must point out that the OCVarsity Pickapalooza Deathmatch does not take place on the hardwood. Coach Namba is stepping into my domain and so far I am undefeated in one OCVarsity Pickapalooza Deathmatch. Coach Namba is putting his M.I.B. (mint in box) Buzz Lightyear Bendable Buddie on the line against my priceless Obi-Wan Kenobi Star Wars bobblehead.

This figures to be an epic OCVarsity Pickapalooza Deathmatch. Kickoff is 7 p.m. on Friday at Tustin High. Stay tuned to OCVarsity.com for all the action.

Follow me on Twitter @LosOCVarsity and Foothill Athletics @FHS_Knights.

More football news from the OCVarsity blog:

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.