MaxPreps Top 10 High School Football Games of the Week

Our weekly look inside the nation's Top 10 high school football games begins in Georgia. On Friday night, the championship of the state's toughest region will be decided when Colquitt County travels to Camden County.

The winner gains the undisputed Region 1-AAAAAA regular-season crown and will get many votes as the team to beat when the state playoffs kick off next week. It's no wonder why. One of Region 1-AAAAAA's current members has won Georgia's largest classification state crown 18 times in the last 25 seasons.

The rest of this week's rundown includes just two games that involve teams ranked in the latest MaxPreps Xcellent 25. No. 7 Central (Miami) will close out the regular season with its first meeting against former Xcellent 25 squad University (Fort Lauderdale) in school history. Meanwhile, on the other side of the continent, No. 16 Folsom and its high-powered passing attack has a date with Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove). At stake for the Bulldogs is a league championship and a chance to finish the regular season undefeated for the second-straight time.

Stephen Spiewak regained sole possession of first place in our season-long prediction contest after correctly picking eight out of 10 winners last week. Spiewak's 78-31-1 cumulative record is one game better than Jamie DeMoney in second place and two picks ahead of Leland Gordon in third.



Here's a look at this week's Top 10 games along with predictions by MaxPreps staff writers and contributors Mitch Stephens, Stephen Spiewak, Kevin Askeland, Leland Gordon, Colin Ward-Henninger and Jamie DeMoney.


Colquitt County (Moultrie, Ga.) at Camden County (Kingsland, Ga.)

What to watch: The de-facto championship game of Georgia's rugged Region 1-AAAAAA. Both teams lost early-season games to nationally ranked opponents, but have gone unbeaten in region play. Colquitt County (8-1) has seven straight wins since a Week 2 loss at Hoover (Ala.). The Packers boast a member of the MaxPreps Class of 2016 Top 50 Watch List in Kiel Pollard. The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder has a team-high 429 yards and five touchdowns receiving. Camden County has piled up eight consecutive wins since losing (34-14) to North Gwinnett in the season-opener. Alabama commits Kalvaraz Bessent and Chris Williams are key performers in the Wildcats' vaunted Wing-T offensive attack. Both have five rushing touchdowns and average more than seven yards per carry this season.

Just the facts: This is only the second year these teams – which are more than 150 miles apart -- have been aligned in the same region. In the last decade, they've played each other once in a regular-season game and three times in the playoffs. They split those four games. The last two – both won by Colquitt County -- were decided by only one point. … Camden County has three state titles in school history, which were achieved in 2003, 2008 and 2009. Colquitt County won its only state title in 1994.

Mitch Stephens: Camden County 21, Colquitt County 20
Kevin Askeland: Colquitt County 20, Camden County 14
Jamie DeMoney: Colquitt County 17, Camden County 13
Stephen Spiewak: Colquitt County 28, Camden County 10
Leland Gordon: Colquitt County 34, Camden County 28
Colin Ward-Henninger: Camden County 24, Colquitt County 21
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University (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) at Central (Miami)

What to watch: The first meeting ever between two of South Florida's power programs. Friday's game pits a long-established program in Central against one that's certainly on the rise in University. Last season, University won the Class 3A state title in only its seventh season with a varsity team. This year, the Suns (9-1) are a contender for the 4A crown but would probably need to conquer the nation's No. 1 team – Washington (Miami) – to reach that goal. University's only loss was by four points at No. 15 Manatee (Bradenton) on Oct. 25. No. 7 Central has won six straight games – all by 17 or more points – since a Sept. 6 loss to top-ranked Washington. When the postseason begins next week, the Rockets (7-1) will be a prohibitive favorite to win a third 6A state crown in the last four seasons.

Just the facts: Central is renowned for having the nation's best 1-2 punch at running back. According to Miami Herald statistics, seniors Dalvin Cook (a Florida commit) and Joseph Yearby (Miami) are together averaging nearly 11 yards per carry and have combined for more than 2,400 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns in eight games. … University's offense is directed by senior quarterback Sean White (an Auburn recruit). Rated a four-star prospect by 247Sports, White was named MVP of the Elite 11 camp last summer. He has thrown 27 touchdown passes in 10 games.



Mitch Stephens: Central 42, University 21
Kevin Askeland: University 40, Central 35
Jamie DeMoney: Central 42, University 31
Stephen Spiewak: Central 35, University 21
Leland Gordon: Central 45, University 36
Colin Ward-Henninger: Central 35, University 28
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Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove, Calif.) at Folsom (Calif.)

What to watch: No. 16 Folsom attempting to wrap up its second-consecutive undefeated regular season and undisputed Delta River League championship. To do so the Bulldogs (9-0) must stave off upset-minded Pleasant Grove, the only team it has lost to in league play since 2010. Folsom won its four previous conference games by an average of 46 points and is averaging 53 points per game overall this season. This was anticipated to be a showdown of undefeated teams for an outright league title. That fizzled out when Pleasant Grove lost to Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills) last week. The Eagles (8-1) struggled to get their offense going, managing only 142 passing yards and a season-low 136 yards on the ground.

Just the facts: Folsom quarterback Jake Browning is zeroing in on the California single-season record for passing yardage. The junior has 3,458 yards in nine games and, at his current pace, would likely break the record if the Bulldogs play at least 14 games for the fourth-straight season. The existing record of 5,185 yards was set by another Folsom quarterback, Tanner Trosin, in 2011. … These teams have played every year since 2006. With a win Friday night, Pleasant Grove would even up the series at 4-4. No other team in the last 10 seasons would have that many wins against Folsom.

Mitch Stephens: Folsom 42, Pleasant Grove 35
Kevin Askeland: Folsom 54, Pleasant Grove 14
Jamie DeMoney: Folsom 48, Pleasant Grove 21
Stephen Spiewak: Folsom 42, Pleasant Grove 35
Leland Gordon: Folsom 45, Pleasant Grove 35
Colin Ward-Henninger: Folsom 49, Pleasant Grove 21
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Godby (Tallahassee, Fla.) at Lincoln (Tallahassee, Fla.)

What to watch: Friday night's regular-season finale features Godby trying for back-to-back wins against Lincoln after having lost five straight in this crosstown rivalry from 2007 to 2011. The Cougars (8-1) ran away with the 5A Region 2 title and their only loss was against then-nationally ranked DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) back on Labor Day weekend. Lincoln captured the 7A Region 2 championship earlier in the year, but fell to just 6-3 on the season after losing a turnover-plagued game to Gainesville (20-14) on a sloppy field last Friday.

Just the facts: Senior quarterback JT Bradwell has accounted for more than half of Godby's total yards and touchdowns this season. The Liberty commit has 2,288 combined passing and rushing yards and 24 total touchdowns. Lincoln's go-to guy on offense is senior running back Matthew Donaldson. He ran for 212 yards and five touchdowns in a 41-14 rout of Taylor County (Perry) two weeks ago. … Both Godby and Lincoln played in a state championship game last season. Godby came away with the Class 5A crown while Lincoln finished runner-up in 7A.

Mitch Stephens: Lincoln 21, Godby 14
Kevin Askeland: Godby 35, Lincoln 21
Jamie DeMoney: Godby 28, Lincoln 24
Stephen Spiewak: Lincoln 28, Godby 24
Leland Gordon: Godby 34, Lincoln 33
Colin Ward-Henninger: Godby 21, Lincoln 14
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Muskegon (Mich.) at Lowell (Mich.)



What to watch: Muskegon (No. 3) and Lowell (No. 2) were among the top-ranked teams in the final Division 2 state media poll of the regular season, but only one will still be in the hunt for a state title when all is said and done Friday night. In order to survive and advance, Lowell (10-0) has the difficult task of trying to beat Muskegon twice in one season and for the fourth time in the last six meetings. In order to get revenge and extend their season, the Big Reds (9-1) must find a way to limit the production of Arrows quarterback Kyler Shurlow. The senior ran and passed for more than 100 yards with three touchdowns in Lowell's 31-20 victory on Sept. 20.

See the MaxPreps 2013 Michigan football playoff brackets



Just the facts: Either Muskegon or Lowell has reached the Division 2 state championship game in eight out of the past 11 seasons. Muskegon claimed the title in 2004, '06 and '08. Lowell won it all in 2002 and '09. … This will be the seventh time the teams have met in the postseason since 2004. The teams split the six previous meetings.

Mitch Stephens: Muskegon 24, Lowell 21
Kevin Askeland: Lowell 35, Muskegon 21
Jamie DeMoney: Muskegon 25, Lowell 20
Stephen Spiewak: Lowell 28, Muskegon 27
Leland Gordon: Muskegon 24, Lowell 21
Colin Ward-Henninger: Lowell 20, Muskegon 17
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Gilmer (Texas) at Kilgore (Texas)

What to watch: Gilmer takes the No. 1 ranking in both the Class 3A state media and MaxPreps computer rankings on the road Friday night when it meets up with third-ranked Kilgore. The winner will claim the undisputed championship of District 16-3A and build momentum for the state playoffs that begin next week. The challenge for Kilgore (8-0) is clearly to find a way of stemming Gilmer's offensive tide. The Buckeyes (9-0) have scored a whopping 60 points per game this season.

Just the facts: Gilmer has more than 5,300 yards of total offense through nine games. Quarterback Tanner Barr had a hand in more than half of those numbers. The senior has 2,349 passing and 373 rushing yards with 30 total touchdowns. … This will be only the fourth meeting between these schools in the last 10 seasons. Gilmer won the two most recent matchups, including a 20-14 triumph last season.

Mitch Stephens: Gilmer 45, Kilgore 42
Kevin Askeland: Gilmer 54, Kilgore 48
Jamie DeMoney: Gilmer 42, Kilgore 34
Stephen Spiewak: Gilmer 38, Kilgore 17
Leland Gordon: Gilmer 37, Kilgore 29
Colin Ward-Henninger: Gilmer 56, Kilgore 35
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Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.) at Westlake (Westlake Village, Calif.)

What to watch: A neighborhood showdown that will decide the Marmonte League championship. Oaks Christian (8-1) easily rolled to the West Division title with four straight wins decided by an average of more than 45 points. For Westlake, sophomore quarterback Malik Henry – a transfer from Oaks Christian – threw for 1,221 yards with 12 touchdowns and only two interceptions as the Warriors (7-2) captured the East Division crown.

Just the facts: Oaks Christian senior quarterback Brandon Dawkins has 2,823 passing yards this season and 7,802 in his three years as a starter. The Arizona recruit has accounted for 102 total touchdowns. … Although these schools are located less than a mile apart, they've played only four other times. Oaks Christian won twice against Westlake in 2011 and the teams split a pair of games in 2010.

Mitch Stephens: Oaks Christian 42, Westlake 35
Kevin Askeland: Oaks Christian 42, Westlake 35
Jamie DeMoney: Oaks Christian 38, Westlake 33
Stephen Spiewak: Oaks Christian 35, Westlake 28
Leland Gordon: Oaks Christian 48, Westlake 32
Colin Ward-Henninger: Oaks Christian 35, Westlake 21
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Kimberly (Wis.) at Homestead (Mequon, Wis.)

What to watch: A Division 2 state quarterfinal matchup on Friday night between the Nos. 1 and 2-rated teams in the latest statewide Large Division media poll. Top-ranked Homestead (11-0) is trying to repeat as Division 2 champion and claim its fourth title in the last eight years. No. 2 Kimberly (11-0) would like to match the feats of its 2007 and 2008 teams that finished 14-0 with a state title.



See the MaxPreps 2013 Wisconsin football playoff brackets

Just the facts: Homestead needed two fourth-quarter touchdowns to survive and advance with a 28-20 win over Hamilton (Sussex) last week. Conversely, Kimberly, which has won all of its games by at least 28 points, had no such trouble blowing out Cedarburg, 43-14. … Kimberly's nickname, the "Papermakers," is a nod to the paper wasp as well as to paper production, which has historically been the town's primary industry.

Mitch Stephens: Kimberly 35, Homestead 28
Kevin Askeland: Homestead 38, Kimberly 35
Jamie DeMoney: Kimberly 29, Homestead 22
Stephen Spiewak: Homestead 17, Kimberly 10
Leland Gordon: Kimberly 28, Homestead 26
Colin Ward-Henninger: Homestead 14, Kimberly 13
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Gilman (Baltimore) at McDonogh (Owings Mills, Md.)

What to watch: The 98th rendition of one of the most storied rivalries in high school football. Saturday's season finale means even more than usual: It's the top two teams in Baltimore-area newspaper rankings playing with the outright Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference title on the line. Gilman (7-2) is on a six-game winning streak after losing two of its first three games against national powers Paramus Catholic (N.J.) and Manatee (Bradenton, Fla.). A win gives the Greyhounds a 13th MIAA championship in the last 20 seasons. McDonogh (10-0) is aiming for its first undefeated season in more than a decade and its first MIAA title since it shared the crown with Gilman in 2009.

Just the facts: This is the second-most played rivalry in the state of Maryland. Gilman has won the last five games in the series and boasts a 59-33-5 advantage overall. The teams first played each other in 1914. … Senior running back Alex Hurdle scored a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns that helped McDonogh beat Archbishop Spalding (Severn) last week,23-12. Hurdle, a senior, is a highly rated lacrosse prospect who has committed to play next season at Notre Dame.

Mitch Stephens: Gilman 28, McDonogh 21
Kevin Askeland: McDonogh 32, Gilman 21
Jamie DeMoney: Gilman 31, McDonogh 21
Stephen Spiewak: Gilman 21, McDonogh 10
Leland Gordon: Gilman 17, McDonogh 16
Colin Ward-Henninger: Gilman 21, McDonogh 17
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Middlebury (Vt.) vs. South Burlington (Vt.)

What to watch: Saturday's Vermont Division I championship game is a rematch of teams ranked Nos. 1 and 2 in the state rankings all season long and features two of the top running backs in the Green Mountain State. According to the Burlington Free Press, Middlebury senior Jakob Trautwein ran for 223 yards and four touchdowns to lead a 42-20 win over South Burlington on Oct. 11. Senior Tanner Contois had more than 300 combined rushing and receiving yards and one score for South Burlington. The Rebels are the only opponent Middlebury (10-0) has allowed to score more than seven points all season. The Tigers' cumulative scoring is 370-64. South Burlington (9-1) can also be confident in its defense. It has three shutouts this season -- including against each of its first two playoff opponents.



Just the facts: Both teams have won exactly eight state championships in their football histories. South Burlington is trying to hoist its first championship trophy since 2005 and finish with 10 wins for the first time since 2006. Middlebury hopes to finish in the winner's circle for the first time since 2002. … This will be the fifth time these teams have played since 2007. South Burlington's defeat of Middlebury during the regular season evened up the recent series at 2-2.

Mitch Stephens: Middlebury 35, South Burlington 21
Kevin Askeland: Middlebury 24, South Burlington 21
Jamie DeMoney: Middlebury 26, South Burlington 20
Stephen Spiewak: Middlebury 30, South Burlington 20
Leland Gordon: Middlebury 27, South Burlington 14
Colin Ward-Henninger: South Burlington 28, Middlebury 27

Jamie DeMoney is in his 20th season covering high school sports and recruiting. He is a Regional Content Manager and Product Specialist for XOS Digital and compiles the National Prep Poll for World Features Syndicate.