FIELDER’S CHOICES: I’ll take any help I can get, even odd power rankings

This is the time of the prep football season when I should be peaking, like a Vernon Fox-coached team.

Instead, I’m mired in mediocrity. I couldn’t figure out the Division I-A Sunset League with the high school version of the sports almanac from “Back to the Future Part II.” And my record against the spread is getting embarrassingly close to .500.

I haven’t been this bummed out since Skeet told me Stevie Wonder isn’t blind. (Seriously, if you’re into conspiracy theories and have an entire afternoon with nothing to do, look it up.)

Usually, I get desperate and throw my Hail Mary during the postseason, but I’m not waiting around any longer. It’s time to use Eric and Skeet’s power ratings.

In case you forgot, Eric and Skeet’s ratings are slightly out of the ordinary. Their system is weighted to favor teams that give out helmet stickers for good plays and has Pahranagat Valley and its 75-game winning streak ahead of Bishop Gorman, which is ranked No. 1 in every major national poll this week.

Believe it or not, Eric and Skeet’s ratings helped me go 6-2 ATS last season — those clowns nailed all four Division I Sunset Region quarterfinal games — and I’m so confident I can pull off something similar this time that I’m picking two (!!) games from the Division I-A Sunset League.

■ Spring Valley at Sierra Vista — Eric said I should embrace the chaos in the Sunset League, but it’s tough to do right now. After starting out 5-2 ATS in games involving teams from that league, I’ve gone 1-6 since. One and six! It’s a good thing I don’t attend one of the league’s schools or I’d never be able to show my face on campus.

This game would have meant more if Sierra Vista didn’t stumble at Faith Lutheran last week, but the Mountain Lions aren’t the first team to fall victim to Fox’s coaching in October. There’s still plenty on the line for the Grizzlies, who can clinch the league title with a win (likely) and losses by Cheyenne, Clark and Faith Lutheran (unlikely). … Spring Valley by 4.

■ Foothill at Basic — The Wolves handled most of their business last week by beating a much-improved Eldorado team. That means this game against rival Foothill is mostly for seeding purposes as both teams appear headed for the postseason.

The Falcons earned a character-building road win at Silverado last week and now own a modest two-game winning streak. Two-game winning streaks are always “modest,” just like quarterbacks with noodle arms are always “game managers.” … Foothill by 3.

■ Canyon Springs at Green Valley — The Pioneers rallied from a 20-point hole last week and nearly beat Las Vegas behind a makeshift offensive line, a reserve quarterback and a reserve running back. The problem was Canyon Springs forgot how to cover a slot receiver, a matchup the Gators are equipped to exploit again.

This could be the first of two meetings this season between the former Northeast League foes. Keep in mind, though, sequels are never as good. Except for “Bad Boys II.” That rocked. … Green Valley by 6.

■ Mojave at Clark — The Rattlers haven’t recovered from a disappointing loss to Faith Lutheran on Sept. 27 and are mired in a three-game tailspin. A loss here and Mojave, which was 4-0 at one point, probably would miss the postseason.

The Chargers have alternated wins and losses and are due for an L this week. But this is the Sunset League, after all, and nothing this season has followed a pattern. … Clark by 2.

■ Desert Oasis at Cimarron-Memorial — A game between 1-5 and 2-4 teams typically wouldn’t show up in this space. But this should decide third place in the Northwest League. And why is that important? Because third place avoids losing by 77 points to Bishop Gorman in the opening round of the Division I Sunset Region playoffs, that’s why.

The Diamondbacks nearly doubled their season scoring output with last week’s 45-14 victory over Bonanza. Cimarron has lost four straight and scored a total of 39 points during that span. So, naturally, I’m going with the Spartans. … Cimarron by 8.

■ Agassi Prep at The Meadows — The Stars have never won a league title, but they would practically sew up the Division III Southern League crown with a victory over The Meadows. To do that, running backs Kobe Williams and Stephan Laushaul will have to find running room against the Mustangs’ stingy defense.

The Meadows is giving up 13.6 points per game and has a solid running game led by Bryson Navallo. Normally, I’d side with that combination, but the Stars’ explosiveness on offense will be the difference. … Agassi Prep by 3.

■ Sandy Valley at Pahranagat Valley — Two undefeated teams squaring off in Alamo with first place in the Division IV Southern League at stake? Count me in.

The Sidewinders are enjoying a dream season led by QB Lane Eastham and RB James Rau, who have combined to score 27 touchdowns so far. A win by Pahranagat Valley would extend the Panthers’ winning streak to 76 games, which is halfway to the national record. Think about that for a second. The last time Pahranagat Valley lost (2007), Akon and Gwen Stefani were still hanging out. And the Panthers are only halfway to the record of 151 held by De La Salle (Calif.). … Pahranagat Valley by 14.

■ Special prop bet — This should be one of the worst weeks of the season in terms of blowouts, and no amount of complaining about the widening talent gap, the construction bubble bursting in southwest Las Vegas or the Nevada rubric will change it. So let’s just accept that every major city in the country deals with competitive inequity in prep sports and have some fun with it. … Arbor View, Cheyenne, Las Vegas and Palo Verde to win -200 points (combined).

Last week: 4-4, 3-5 (with points)

Season: 35-20, 29-25-1 (with points)

Contact Fielder at Fielder@nevadapreps.com. Follow @FielderNVP on Twitter.