By Stephen Spiewak
MaxPreps.com

Wednesday night high school football games are rare, so it was an unexpected treat to be able to watch Mater Dei (Calif.) play Carson (Calif.) last night on ESPN2 in what quickly developed into a wild, West Coast shoot out.

I watched Mater Dei and its star quarterback Matt Barkley - the nation's top-rated recruit - twice in person, against Corona Centennial and Servite last season. He was certainly more impressive in those games than last night.

Perhaps he was rusty, or maybe it was just a few poor decisions. But Barkley did not look sharp in the Monarchs' season opener. Nonetheless, he seemed to will his team to win, coming through with the game on the line in triple overtime by delivering a perfect strike to Derek Campbell to end it.

If its first game is any indication, Mater Dei should be a fun team to watch this season. Barkley's most dangerous weapon could be Victor Blackwell, only a sophomore, who looked every bit the part of a big-time prospect last night.

Mainland is Major

Lost in the hype surrounding the primetime match-up between Byrnes (S.C.) and North Gwinnett (Ga.) in the Progressive Football Challenge last weekend, Mainland (Fla.) may have had the most impressive showing of the day, easily getting past Central Gwinnett (Ga.) 34-14.

After Central Gwinnett scored first, the Buccaneers controlled the game the rest of the way. It could be a sign of good things to come for coach John Maronto’s squad, which is oozing with talent.

Maronto has several players who could be SEC-caliber recruits, including offensive lineman Mike Nweze, running back Andra Williams and linebacker Terrance Wiley.

Further down the pipe are junior wide receiver Chevin Davis, who made an impressive touchdown grab against Central Gwinnett. Cortez Davis is an outstanding secondary prospect for the class of 2011. He had six interceptions last season as a freshman. At 6-5, he’s also an outstanding basketball player. Fellow sophomore Marlin Lane Jr. ran for 126 yards and two touchdowns in the Bucs' victory.

Around the Carolinas

It seems as if both sides are disappointed that the highly anticipated game between Independence (N.C.) and Madison County (Fla.) won’t be taking place this season.

Fears about the weather caused by Tropical Storm Hanna, and the possibility that Independence would have to travel through it, caused the Charlotte school's principal and board of education to cancel the game.

Madison County’s season opener now gets pushed back a week, and will come against Arlington Country Day of Jacksonville. The team will also miss out on what was projected to be a large crowd at the gate.

Independence, no doubt, is upset to miss out on an opportunity at out-of-state redemption, after losing to Elder (Ohio) in last year’s Herbstreit Varsity Football Series.

From a larger perspective, fans in the Tar Heel State would have relished the chance to claim a victory against a top school from the football powerhouse of Florida, even though Madison County would have entered the game as the distinct favorite.

Independence was defeated by Byrnes in a highly-publicized preseason game

Crest (N.C.), a 4A school, lost a competitive game to Gaffney (S.C.), in another notable out-of-state competition. Gaffney, coached by Phil Strickland, is young, but it’s impossible to count out the Indians.

However, Gaffney suffered a 6-0 overtime setback to Dorman in week one. It spoiled the opening of Gaffney’s new stadium, The Reservation, but it proved that Dorman may challenge Byrnes this season in 4A.

Tour Launches

This week begins the first national game of the week for Nike’s Five Days ‘Til Friday Football Road Tour. MaxPreps’ own Brady Wilkes and Nick Reasons will be checking out some of the biggest games in the country each week. Their first stop is this Friday’s game pitting Colerain (Ohio) vs. Highlands (Ky.)

Colerain is undefeated, having upset St. Xaver in week one and beating McKeesport (Pa.) in overtime in last weekend’s Kirk Herbstreit Varsity Football Series. Highlands beat Ryle in week one, but is without star running back Josh Conner, who was injured in the preseason against Louisville Male. Head coach Dave Mueller hopes to have Conner back by week five, when the team plays arch-rival Covington Catholic (Ky.).

Related Video:
Mater Dei vs. Corona Centennial
Mater Dei vs Servite
Byrnes vs. North Gwinnett
Byrnes vs. Gaffney '07
Dorman WR Charon Peake
Colerain vs. McKeesport
Highlands State Championship Game '07
Highlands RB Josh Conner