Swami picks winners

Dear Charlie, our crystal ball suffered a brownout this morning; so we turned over the schedule to our psychic assistant, Bevis Blofeld, for his picks. Read ‘em and weep.

Mundelein 14, Buffalo Grove 7 – It’s going to be the Year of the Horse in area prep sports. This is a good time for the Mustangs to get things started.

Vernon Hills 17, Niles West 0 – Coach Tony Monken always seems to have his team ready to play on opening night… which is a good thing, because they have a game tonight.

Waukegan 18, Chicago Mather 8 – 1 win down and 4 more to go in Bulldogs’ quest to make playoffs ... Yeah, right, Bucko

Morgan Park 28, Carmel 14 – To be the best, you’ve got to play the best. Morgan Park is Chicago’s top team this fall. Carmel thinks it can win a state title. We’ll see.

Stevenson 10, Loyola 0 – The Patriots have the second-best defense in the area and many large, angry men who play football.

Antioch 20, Grayslake Central 13 – Battle of first-year coaches. Visiting Grayslake is behind 8-ball because it hired coach late and got off to late start this summer. This guarantees that there's only going to be one winless team this year.

Lake Zurich 14, Palatine Fremd 0 – If Stevenson has second-best defense in area, you now know who has the No. 1 defense. Back to State!

New Trier 28, Warren 7 – Trevians are a powerhouse again, while Blue Devils open season with four straight road games. Ouch and double ouch

Round Lake 20, Westosha Central (Wis.) 12 – Jerome Brown will be the difference-maker for Panthers on opening night

Lake Forest 20, Palatine 7 – If Stevenson and Lake Zurich weren’t in Lake Forest’s conference, Scouts would be the favorite

Wauconda 19, Huntley 18 – It will be Wauconda’s great running back Brad Wisniewski against Huntley star QB Casey Popenfoose. In Chippewa language, Popenfoose means “what’s that brown stuff on my shoe?”

Lakes 14, Grayslake North 13 – Like Lake Forest, the Lakes Eagles will be better than most think. Most don’t think much at all. Grayslake North has senior class for first time and is searching for first-ever varsity win

Barrington 20, Libertyville 7 – Two traditional powers in their traditional opener. What isn’t traditional is the inexperience on the field for the Wildcats

Deerfield 20, Zion-Benton 13 – Last year, this was a one-point game and victorious Deerfield went on to make playoffs while Z-B went 1-8; so anything can happen

York 28, Highland Park 24 – York is picked to win the West Suburban Silver and Highland Park has Johnny “Rocket” Lindquist at QB. Should be lots of scoring

Grant 14, Johnsburg 13 – Among smaller schools, might be best game of the night. Both teams will likely make playoffs

Upset Special: Chicago Brooks 24, North Chicago 18 – Brooks made playoffs last year and its better players are a year older. North Chicago’s a year away from being pretty darn good.