MaxPreps Top 10 High School Football Games of the Week

The latest edition of the MaxPreps Top 10 Games of the Week is chock-full of critical playoff games in some of the top football hotbeds across the nation.

The championship game of Southern California's rugged Pac-5 Division is a battle of teams ranked in the latest MaxPreps Xcellent 25. No. 3 St. John Bosco (Bellflower) is eying its first trip to the state bowl game playoffs, but first it must stave off No. 22 Mater Dei (Santa Ana) for the second time this season.

Three additional matchups in this week's preview involve Top 10 teams – all of which are from Texas. No. 2 Allen continues its defense of the Class 5A/I title against unbeaten Houston-area power Westfield. Fourth-ranked DeSoto has a tough quarterfinal-round game versus against red-hot Trinity (Euless). No. 9 Katy looks to extend its winning streak to 30 when it takes on emerging power Manvel.

After correctly picking just three out of 10 games last week, Jamie DeMoney's lead in our season-long predictions contest was cut in half. Jamie's 103-46-1 cumulative mark is now only two better than Stephen Spiewak's total and four ahead of Leland Gordon.



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.


Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) vs. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)

What to watch: In addition to trying to win its first CIF Southern Section Pac-5 title, St. John Bosco has lingering hopes of winning the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 national title. The third-ranked Braves (13-0) have been dominant all season, winning by an average margin of 35 points. Their leader is five-star junior quarterback Josh Rosen. In three postseason games, Rosen has thrown 13 touchdown passes. Mater Dei (11-2) is trying to avenge a 24-2 loss sustained Nov. 1 and earn its first CIF title since 1999. The Monarchs are fresh off arguably their most impressive game of the season – a 30-0 shutout of last year's Pac-5 champion Long Beach Poly.

Follow this game on the CBSSports.com GameTracker

Just the facts: Saturday's game at Angel Stadium in Anaheim will be the 10th meeting between these Trinity League rivals since 2004. Mater Dei has won six of the previous nine matchups despite losing three in a row. … Mater Dei is 240-75-2 with five CIF titles and only one losing season since Bruce Rollinson became head coach in 1989.

Mitch Stephens: Mater Dei 17, St. John Bosco 14
Kevin Askeland: St. John Bosco 48, Mater Dei 42
Jamie DeMoney: St. John Bosco 27, Mater Dei 14
Stephen Spiewak: St. John Bosco 24, Mater Dei 23
Leland Gordon: St. John Bosco 17, Mater Dei 9
Colin Ward-Henninger: St. John Bosco 28, Mater Dei 21
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Jenks (Okla.) vs. Union (Tulsa, Okla.)

What to watch: The 52nd edition in one of America's best rivalries, with the winner claiming yet another state title. The teams – separated by less than 10 miles – have combined to win every Class 6A crown since 1996. It's a streak that will continue this year. In their regular-season "Backyard Brawl" game in September, Jenks edged Union (27-23) to widen its edge in the all-time series to 32-19. The No. 15 Trojans (13-0) advanced to Thursday night's state championship with a 46-14 rout of Westmoore (Oklahoma City). Union (11-2) was a 30-18 victor over Broken Arrow in the other semifinal.

*Note: This game has been postponed until Thursday, Dec. 12 due to weather*



Just the facts: A win would give Jenks its second-straight 6A title and 10th since 1996. Union is shooting for its fifth championship in the last 10 years. … This will be the 18th meeting between the teams – including eight postseason games – since 2004.

Mitch Stephens: Jenks 28, Union 24
Kevin Askeland: Jenks 38, Union 24
Jamie DeMoney: Jenks 25, Union 18
Stephen Spiewak: Jenks 30, Union 14
Leland Gordon: Union 27, Jenks 24
Colin Ward-Henninger: Jenks 21, Union 17
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Allen (Texas) vs. Westfield (Houston)

What to watch: Only three unbeaten teams remain in Texas Class 5A, and the season will end for one of them after this Saturday quarterfinal. Defending 5A/I champion Allen (13-0) extended its winning streak to 24 games with last week's 56-21 blowout of The Woodlands. Superstar junior quarterback Kyler Murray led the Eagles with 335 passing yards and five touchdowns. Westfield is 13-0 for the first time in eight seasons. The Mustangs survived a wild 55-48 double-overtime win over Skyline (Dallas) last week. Senior quarterback Courtland Greenwood accounted for five touchdowns, including the game-winner on a 5-yard run in the second overtime.

Just the facts: Allen has two state titles and ranks third in Texas' dynasty rankings, compiled by CalPreps.com, since 2003. Westfield hasn't won a state championship, but ranks 13th on the dynasty list. … The only other meeting between these schools in the last 10 years was a state quarterfinals win by Allen in 2006.

Mitch Stephens: Allen 42, Westfield 28
Kevin Askeland: Allen 35, Westfield 21
Jamie DeMoney: Allen 44, Westfield 20
Stephen Spiewak: Allen 35, Westfield 17
Leland Gordon: Allen 44, Westfield 32
Colin Ward-Henninger: Allen 42, Westfield 21
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DeSoto (Texas) vs. Trinity (Euless, Texas)

What to watch: A Class 5A/I quarterfinal that's a rematch of DeSoto's 61-35 win on Sept. 14. That was the first of four games in which DeSoto (13-0) broke the 60-point barrier this season. All totaled, the Eagles are averaging nearly 54 points per game after a 56-34 win over Martin (Arlington) last week. During the game, TCU-committed quarterback Desmon White eclipsed the 5,000-yard mark for combined passing and rushing yards for his senior year. After starting the season 0-2, Trinity has won 11 straight games. The Trojans knocked Carroll (Southlake) from the Xcellent 25 with their first-ever win against the Dragons (42-38) in last week's Region 1 final.

Just the facts: Trinity is trying for its fourth state championship in nine years, but first since 2009. DeSoto has never won a state football title. … Saturday will be the fifth meeting between these teams in the last 10 years but first time in the postseason. Trinity's only win over the Eagles came in 2005.

Mitch Stephens: Trinity 29, DeSoto 28
Kevin Askeland: DeSoto 52, Trinity 35
Jamie DeMoney: DeSoto 34, Trinity 17
Stephen Spiewak: DeSoto 41, Trinity 24
Leland Gordon: DeSoto 50, Trinity 48
Colin Ward-Henninger: DeSoto 35, Trinity 28
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Manvel (Texas) vs. Katy (Texas)

What to watch: Manvel would add a momentous chapter to its short football history if it pulls out a win over defending 5A/II champion Katy. Manvel totaled only 13 victories throughout its first three seasons (2007-09) combined, but has won 49 times in the four years since. The Mavericks (12-1) feature one of Texas' top sophomores in quarterback D'Eriq King. He has 52 touchdowns this season after adding six scores to his total in a 49-21 win against Memorial (Houston) last week. Katy, on the other hand, has won 12 or more games every year since 2002. The Tigers (13-0) took a step closer to their fifth state title in 11 years with a 56-26 win over Fort Bend Elkins (Missouri City). Texas A&M-bound junior running back Rodney Anderson led the way with five touchdowns.

Just the facts: Katy's 150 wins since 2003 is tops among Texas schools. … Friday's game will be the first meeting between these programs.



Mitch Stephens: Katy 35, Manvel 28
Kevin Askeland: Katy 35, Manvel 21
Jamie DeMoney: Katy 27, Manvel 20
Stephen Spiewak: Katy 28, Manvel 21
Leland Gordon: Katy 32, Manvel 27
Colin Ward-Henninger: Manvel 24, Katy 21
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Butler (Matthews, N.C.) at Mallard Creek (Charlotte, N.C.)

What to watch: A rematch of an Aug. 30 game won by Mallard Creek, this time with a trip to the Class 4AA title game on the line. Butler (11-3) is trying to repeat as state champion and win its fourth crown in the last five years. This is the fourth-consecutive semifinals trip for No. 14 Mallard Creek (14-0), but the Mavericks have never won a state title since their program began in 2007.

Just the facts: Junior quarterback Anthony Ratliff – rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports – accounted for 258 yards and three touchdowns in Butler's 48-7 blowout of West Forsyth (Clemmons) last week. Senior running back Lawrence Pittman had 146 yards and two touchdowns on only nine carries as Mallard Creek breezed past Northwest Guilford (Greensboro), 56-13. … Friday will be the fifth meeting between these teams, all since 2011. The series is tied 2-2.

Mitch Stephens: Butler 28, Mallard Creek 27
Kevin Askeland: Mallard Creek 28, Butler 21
Jamie DeMoney: Mallard Creek 28, Butler 27
Stephen Spiewak: Mallard Creek 35, Butler 21
Leland Gordon: Mallard Creek 21, Butler 20
Colin Ward-Henninger: Mallard Creek 20, Butler 17
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Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati) vs. Mentor (Ohio)

What to watch: The Ohio Division I championship game, featuring a pair of Xcellent 25 squads. Defending champion and 17th-ranked Moeller (13-1) earned its 13th finals appearance – second-most in state history – with a 13-11 win over previously unbeaten Hilliard Davidson last week. In contrast, No. 24 Mentor (13-1) punched its ticket to championship weekend for the third time in school history with a much higher-scoring 41-38 win over then-nationally ranked St. Edward (Lakewood).

Just the facts: Moeller is looking for its second-consecutive state championship and ninth since 1975. Mentor has never won a state title in football. … These teams split a pair of regular-season games in 2008-09, but Saturday will be their first meeting in the postseason.

Mitch Stephens: Moeller 24, Mentor 21
Kevin Askeland: Mentor 35, Moeller 21
Jamie DeMoney: Mentor 38, Moeller 35
Stephen Spiewak: Moeller 42, Mentor 41
Leland Gordon: Mentor 27, Moeller 24
Colin Ward-Henninger: Moeller 28, Mentor 14
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Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) at East Lake (Tarpon Springs, Fla.)

What to watch: The last remaining unbeaten teams in Class 7A squaring off in the Florida semifinals. No. 20 Dwyer (13-0) earned its way to Friday's game with a 35-28 win over former Xcellent 25 squad St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale). Dwyer junior Daniel Parr had more than 300 passing yards and ran for the game-winning touchdown with less than a minute left to play. In contrast, East Lake (13-0) rolled in its quarterfinal game, crushing Port Charlotte, 49-15. Michigan-committed junior receiver George Campbell led the Eagles with three touchdown catches.

Just the facts: Dwyer needs two more wins to claim its first state championship since 2009. East Lake has never won a state title. … This will be the first meeting ever between these teams.

Mitch Stephens: Dwyer 21, East Lake 17
Kevin Askeland: Dwyer 35, East Lake 21
Jamie DeMoney: Dwyer 27, East Lake 21
Stephen Spiewak: Dwyer 20, East Lake 10
Leland Gordon: East Lake 26, Dwyer 24
Colin Ward-Henninger: Dwyer 35, East Lake 28
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Paramus Catholic (N.J.) vs. St. Peter's Prep (Jersey City, N.J.)

What to watch: Paramus Catholic is shooting for its second-straight Non-Public Group IV title. The Paladins (9-2) have won four in a row after dropping back-to-back games against Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey) and nationally ranked St. Joseph Regional (Montvale) in October. Five-star prospect Jabrill Peppers (a Michigan recruit) leads the team with more than 1,300 all-purpose yards and 19 touchdowns. St. Peter's Prep (10-1) has lost only to St. Joseph Regional. Rutgers-bound running back Jonathan Hilliman has 30 touchdowns and needs only 101 rushing yards Friday to reach 2,000 for the season.



Just the facts: A win would give Paramus Catholic its third group title since 1997. St. Peter's Prep could win its first title since 2005 and fourth in school history. … Paramus Catholic's 21-0 win over St. Peter's Prep in last year's Group IV semifinals was the only other time these teams have met in the last 10 seasons.

Mitch Stephens: Paramus Catholic 42, St. Peter's Prep 14
Kevin Askeland: St. Peter's Prep 35, Paramus Catholic 14
Jamie DeMoney: Paramus Catholic 34, St. Peter's Prep 31
Stephen Spiewak: St. Peter's Prep 21, Paramus Catholic 20
Leland Gordon: Paramus Catholic 29, St. Peter's Prep 17
Colin Ward-Henninger: St. Peter's Prep 28, Paramus Catholic 27
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Vista Murrieta (Murrieta, Calif.) at Centennial (Corona, Calif.)

What to watch: Centennial with its record-setting offense as it looks to repeat as CIF-SS Inland Division champion. The Huskies (11-2) had a national-record 943 yards – including 708 on the ground – in an 86-56 win over Upland in last week's semifinals. California commit Tre Watson ran for 519 yards and six touchdowns. Vista Murrieta (12-1) hammered Norco, 56-19, on the other side of the bracket. Broncos senior quarterback Coltin Gerhart burned his former team with 242 passing yards and a season-high four touchdowns.

Just the facts: Friday will be the third-consecutive time these teams have met for the Inland Division title. Centennial won last year's meeting (30-28) and Vista Murrieta was victorious in 2011 (35-28). … Centennial is eying its eighth CIF section crown since 2000. Vista Murrieta could win its third title since 2002.

Mitch Stephens: Centennial 42, Vista Murrieta 28
Kevin Askeland: Centennial 44, Vista Murrieta 42
Jamie DeMoney: Centennial 52, Vista Murrieta 42
Stephen Spiewak: Centennial 45, Vista Murrieta 30
Leland Gordon: Vista Murrieta 56, Centennial 52
Colin Ward-Henninger: Centennial 35, Vista Murrieta 34

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.