MaxPreps Top 10 Football Games of the Week

The final week of the high school football season brings with it state championship weekends in hotbed states California, Florida, Pennsylvania and Texas.

Trinity (Euless, Texas) could pick up its first mythical national championship if it beats Pearland in Saturday night's 5A/I title game at Cowboys Stadium. It's the third consecutive playoff game against an undefeated opponent for the Trojans, who for all season have held the No. 1 ranking the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 rankings presented by the Army National Guard.

MaxPreps' Texas football playoff brackets

In California, there are five nationally ranked teams taking part in the state bowl games at the Home Depot Center on Friday and Saturday. No. 8 De La Salle (Concord) takes on No. 10 Servite (Anaheim) in the Open Division; No. 5 Centennial (Corona) battles undefeated but unranked Palo Alto in the Division I final; and the Division II game has No. 18 Serra (Gardena) taking on No. 20 Folsom.



After posting a 9-1 record last week, the MaxPreps Projections has taken over the season-long prediction contest. With only 10 selections left, the computer picks (71.8 winning percentage) hold a one-game lead over Stephen Spiewak, who was in first place from the beginning of the season up until this week. Jamie DeMoney remains 11 games back in third place, followed by Steve Montoya, Kevin Askeland and Mitch Stephens. You can track the season-long standings and all the weekly results here.

Here's a look at this week's Top 10 games of the week along with predictions from MaxPreps staff writers and contributors Mitch Stephens, Steve Montoya, Stephen Spiewak, Kevin Askeland, Jamie DeMoney and projections for the games by the MaxPreps computer rankings:

Pearland (Texas) vs. Trinity (Euless, Texas), Saturday
Don't expect Pearland to be intimidated when it looks across the field to see Trinity on the other side in Saturday night's 5A/I championship game at Cowboys Stadium. The Oilers (15-0) have already vanquished a nationally ranked and seemingly unbeatable foe in Katy (38-35 in the quarterfinals), and followed that up with a dominant 51-21 win against Stevens (San Antonio) last week. Senior running back Dustin Garrison led the way with 269 rushing yards and four touchdowns and the Oilers totaled more than 500 total offensive yards as a team. This is the first trip to a state championship game for Pearland.

Video of Pearland vs. Clear Lake
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Trinity has survived close games against undefeated opponents in back-to-back weeks. Now, the Trojans (15-0) must win their third straight game against an unbeaten foe in order to repeat as Class 5A/I champion and likely finish the year where they started in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 – with the No. 1 ranking. Trinity totaled nearly 400 rushing yards in last week's 28-24 semifinals victory over Stony Point. Oklahoma-bound quarterback-slash-receiver Brandon Carter accounted for 120 yards on the ground with two touchdowns. The Trojans are shooting for their fourth state title in six years.

Video of Dustin Garrison

Mitch Stephens: Trinity 42, Pearland 35
Steve Montoya: Pearland 24, Trinity 21
Stephen Spiewak: Trinity 42, Pearland 28
Kevin Askeland: Trinity 41, Pearland 28
Jamie DeMoney: Trinity 38, Pearland 17
MaxPreps Projection: Trinity 42, Pearland 28

Week one video of Trinity vs. Shiloh Christian
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{PAGEBREAK}Guyer (Denton, Texas) vs. Steele (Cibolo, Texas), Saturday
While the Texas 5A Division I title game has two undefeated teams and implications involving the national rankings, the Division II final has a pair of squads chocked full of college talent – including two of the Lone Star State's top prospects in Guyer quarterback J.W. Walsh (Oklahoma St.) and Steele running back Malcolm Brown (Texas). Win or lose on Saturday, Guyer's first season as a 5A program couldn't have been much better. The Wildcats (13-2) have at least 13 wins for the second straight season and are playing in their first state championship game. They defeated Longview – the team that eliminated them from the playoffs in 2008 and '09 – in last week's semifinals, 28-27. A blocked punt by junior defensive lineman Dan Kottman with less than 30 second remaining set up the game-winning touchdown.



Video of Malcolm Brown
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Like Guyer, Steele is a fairly new school and playing in a state championship game for the first time. The Knights' top offensive weapon is certainly not a secret. Brown rushed for 155 yards and returned the second-half kickoff 100 yards in a 44-20 win over Memorial (Houston) in the semifinals. He has 2,529 yards on 271 carries (9.3 average) with 28 touchdowns this season. Steele lost two of its first three games this year, but is now riding a 12-game winning streak.

Mitch Stephens: Guyer 48, Steele 42
Steve Montoya: Steele 54, Guyer 45
Stephen Spiewak: Guyer 35, Steele 28
Kevin Askeland: Guyer 28, Steele 27
Jamie DeMoney: Guyer 38, Steele 28
MaxPreps Projection: Guyer 34, Steele 24
{PAGEBREAK}Lake Travis (Austin, Texas) vs. Ryan (Denton, Texas), Saturday
It wasn't an easy road this season, but Lake Travis (13-2) is back in the Class 4A/I finals playing to win its fourth consecutive state championship. The Cavaliers entered the year ranked in the Top 10 of some national polls and had won 48 straight games before losing to Aledo in week three. Their offensive leader is senior quarterback Michael Brewer. The Texas Tech recruit has more than 2,600 passing yards and 36 combined passing and rushing touchdowns despite missing a month – including the Aledo game – with a shoulder injury. Defensively, Lake Travis is peaking at the right time. The unit was outstanding in last week's 24-3 win over Friendswood.

Video Lake Travis vs. Aledo
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In order for it to win its first state championship since 2002, Ryan must continue to play tremendous defense. The Raiders (15-0) have allowed only 12 points per game and are considered one of the top units in the state. They sacked Wylie quarterback Nico Ramirez seven times and withstood a late rally to win, 25-20, in last week's semifinals. End Mario Edwards and linebackers Jordan Richmond and Alex De La Torre are a trio of juniors on Ryan's defense who are likely to be highly recruited season.

Mitch Stephens: Lake Travis 28, Ryan 21
Steve Montoya: Ryan 28, Lake Travis 21
Stephen Spiewak: Lake Travis 28, Ryan 24
Kevin Askeland: Lake Travis 35, Ryan 33
Jamie DeMoney: Lake Travis 27, Ryan 17
MaxPreps Projection: Lake Travis 27, Ryan 21
{PAGEBREAK}Centennial (Corona, Calif.) vs. Palo Alto (Calif.), Friday
Centennial, 14-0 and ranked fifth in this week's MaxPreps Xcellent 25, hoped its dominant season would be enough to earn a bid to the Open Division state championship bowl game to play De La Salle for the third time in four years. Instead, the Huskies will slug it out in the Division I title game Friday night at the Home Depot Center against a Palo Alto team that – on paper – might have a hard time keeping up with their explosive offense. Centennial is averaging an amazing 54 points per game, while Palo Alto has yet to score more than 49 in any game this season. Michael Eubank, a 6-foot-5, 230-pound senior, has more than 2,700 passing and 1,100 rushing yards with 40 combined touchdowns this season. Ryan Jack – a San Diego State commit – leads Centennial's defense with 143 tackles.

Video of Centennial vs. Chino HIlls
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While Palo Alto is a decided underdog in this game, that's not to say the Vikings don't have a track record of beating good teams. They upset top contenders Bellarmine (San Jose) and Valley Christian (San Jose) in back-to-back weeks to claim the Central Coast Section Open Division title. Christoph Bono, son of former NFL quarterback Steve Bono, directs Paly's offensive attack. The 6-2 senior has thrown for nearly 2,500 yards with 28 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions.

Mitch Stephens: Centennial 35, Palo Alto 21
Steve Montoya: Centennial 17, Palo Alto 7
Stephen Spiewak: Centennial 42, Palo Alto 28
Kevin Askeland: Centennial 56, Palo Alto 21
Jamie DeMoney: Centennial 34, Palo Alto 10
MaxPreps Projection: Centennial 40, Palo Alto 20

Video of Palo Alto vs. Homestead
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{PAGEBREAK}Serra (Gardena, Calif.) vs. Folsom (Calif.), Saturday
This will probably be the toughest test of the season for Serra, which is 14-0 and ranked 18th in the Xcellent 25. The Cavaliers have one of the state's most talent-packed rosters but have yet to beat a team ranked higher than 33rd in the MaxPreps state rankings. Senior receiver George Farmer committed to USC last Friday afternoon, then caught a 59-yard touchdown pass that evening in Serra's 35-10 win over Arroyo Grande in the CIF-SS Western Division championship. Launching the scoring strike was senior quarterback Conner Preston, an SMU pledge who has more than 3,500 passing yards and 42 touchdowns this season. This is Serra's second straight trip to a state bowl game. It defeated Marin Catholic in last year's Division III tilt.

Video of Serra vs. Harvard-Westlake
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Don't look for Folsom to be dazzled or intimidated by Serra's collection of Division I recruits or its propensity for pounding opponents into submission. The No. 20 Bulldogs' confidence is at an all-time high after beating powerful Grant (Sacramento), 41-20, two weeks ago in the Sac-Joaquin Division II final – avenging a 49-14 loss to the Pacers earlier this season. Despite playing on an injured knee, senior quarterback Dano Graves threw four touchdown passes and managed 129 rushing yards against Grant's fast and physical defensive front. This is Folsom's first trip to a state bowl championship game.

Mitch Stephens: Serra 45, Folsom 44
Steve Montoya: Folsom 35, Serra 31
Stephen Spiewak: Serra 44, Folsom 41
Kevin Askeland: Folsom 35, Serra 28
Jamie DeMoney: Folsom 41, Serra 35
MaxPreps Projection: Folsom 34, Serra 31

Video of Folsom vs. Grant
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{PAGEBREAK}Servite (Anaheim, Calif.) vs. De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), Saturday
Servite, 14-0 and ranked 10th in the Xcellent 25 this week, garnered Southern California's bid into the Open Division state bowl championship game after winning the CIF-SS Pac-5 division title for the second straight year. The Friars have won 25 consecutive games and were the Division II bowl champion a year ago. They have an excellent defense that allowed only 13 points per game against one of the toughest schedules in the state. On offense, senior Malik Felton moved to running back in mid-October and responded by rushing for more than 100 yards in seven of nine games including the last three playoff contests. He gained 184 yards and scored four touchdowns in last week's 41-27 win over Mission Viejo. Connor Loftus gives Servite an edge in the kicking game against almost any opponent. The senior has booted 15 field goals this season and is also a tremendous punter.



Video of Servite vs. Mater Dei
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De La Salle has qualified for a bowl in all five seasons the games have been held. It will attempt to defend the Open Division title it won over Crenshaw (Los Angeles) last season. The Spartans (13-0) are ranked eighth in the Xcellent 25 and haven't lost to a California opponent since the 2008 Division I bowl game against Centennial (Corona). This year's squad has won its games by an average of 37 points. Despite having an advantage in size up front, Servite will have its hands full trying to stop De La Salle's offense. The Spartans have an experienced quarterback in Bart Houston at the controls -- the junior has thrown for 1,863 yards and 20 touchdowns – and a small but tough senior running back named Lucas Dunne (5-8, 173), who has run for 1,662 yards and 31 scores.

Mitch Stephens: De La Salle 28, Servite 27
Steve Montoya: Servite 17, De La Salle 10
Stephen Spiewak: Servite 21, De La Salle 17
Kevin Askeland: De La Salle 42, Servite 17
Jamie DeMoney: De La Salle 28, Servite 16
MaxPreps Projection: De La Salle 28, Servite 21

Video of De La Salle vs. Granada
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{PAGEBREAK}Plant (Tampa, Fla.) vs. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), Friday
Plant started the year nationally ranked before being blown out by Manatee (Bradenton) in a nationally televised preseason game and then stumbling out of the gate with a 3-2 record. But since, the Panthers have won nine straight and last week looked like the team that won back-to-back state titles (5A in 2009, 4A in 2008) when they clobbered previously unbeaten Lakeland, 48-6, in the 5A semifinals. James Wilder Jr. – MaxPreps' No. 1-rated recruit and a Florida St. commit – had 216 yards and five touchdown runs to lead the way. His efforts were needed because Alabama-bound quarterback Phillip Ely was unable to play against Lakeland due to a sore back.

Video of Plant vs. Countryside
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Unlike its competitor in Friday's 5A championship game, St. Thomas Aquinas has ran past, over and around every opponent on its schedule this season. The fourth-ranked Raiders have won by an average score of 45-7 and beat then-undefeated and nationally ranked Manatee (Bradenton) by 24 points in last week's semifinals. Iowa recruit Jacob Rudock threw for less than 150 yards against Manatee but has more than 2,500 yards and 34 touchdowns this season. His primary targets are Miami recruit Phillip Dorsett (846 yards) and Florida State pledge Rashad Greene (795). St. Thomas Aquinas has reached the state championship game in every season but one since 2004 and is playing for its third state title in four years.

Video of Rashad Greene

Mitch Stephens: St. Thomas Aquinas 28, Plant 27
Steve Montoya: St. Thomas Aquinas 42, Plant 28
Stephen Spiewak: St. Thomas Aquinas 28, Plant 21
Kevin Askeland: St. Thomas Aquinas 35, Plant 18
Jamie DeMoney: St. Thomas Aquinas 32, Plant 21
MaxPreps Projection: St. Thomas Aquinas 35, Plant 17
{PAGEBREAK}Dr. Phillips (Orlando, Fla.) vs. Central (Miami, Fla.), Saturday
More than a dozen seniors already committed to Division I colleges and nearly a dozen more likely to earn a scholarship offer will take the field in Saturday's 6A championship game. Leading the way for Dr. Phillips – 14-0 and ranked No. 2 in the state sportswriters 6A poll – is senior running back Demetrius Hart. The former Michigan commit set Florida's single-season scoring mark – with 50 touchdowns and 300 points – during the Panthers' 37-13 semifinals win over Seminole last week. Alabama-bound safety Ha'sean Clinton-dix is a top playmaker on a defense that has allowed opponents just over a touchdown per game. This is the first trip to a state championship game for Dr. Phillips, which hadn't made it past the second round of the playoffs before this year. The game will be played at the Citrus Bowl, located about nine miles from Dr. Phillips' campus.



Video of Dr. Phillips vs. Gateway
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This is also the first state championship game for Central, which finished the year No. 1 in the state sportswriters poll despite losing to Camden County (Kingsland, Ga.) in its season opener. Like Dr. Phillips, the Rockets (13-1) are explosive on offense and loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. Senior Devonta Freeman was amazing in Central's 30-27 semifinals win over Cypress Bay. The Florida State commit had 354 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 33 carries. The sore spot for Central was its rushing defense, which allowed Cypress Bay more than 200 yards. Expect a high-scoring shootout in this one.

MaxPreps' Florida football playoff brackets

Mitch Stephens: Central 28, Dr. Phillips 27
Steve Montoya: Dr. Phillips 24, Central 17
Stephen Spiewak: Dr. Phillips 35, Central 28
Kevin Askeland: Dr. Phillips 28, Central 21
Jamie DeMoney: Dr. Phillips 41, Central 34
MaxPreps Projection: Dr. Phillips 35, Central 28
{PAGEBREAK}Allentown Central Catholic (Pa.) vs. Bishop McDevitt (Harrisburg, Pa.), Friday
Quarterback Brendan Nosovitch set four state playoff records and tied a fifth last week in Central Catholic's 49-27 win over Archbishop Wood in the 3A semifinals. The 6-3 junior threw for 418 and ran for 183 yards with seven total touchdowns. He has more than 2,800 passing yards and 1,600 on the ground with 64 total touchdowns for the season. The Vikings (15-0) are shooting for their first state title since 1998.

MaxPreps' Pennsylvania football playoff brackets

Bishop McDevitt was a perennial early season favorite in recent years as a 4A team but never reached the state championship game. The Crusaders' last state title came in 1995, when they were a 2A program. This year's squad started the season 2-2 but has won its last 11 games. They rallied from a 21-3 halftime deficit to beat Cathedral Prep (Erie) last week. Bowling Green-committed quarterback Matt Johnson had 211 passing yards in the game, bringing his career total to 7,699 – the fifth highest mark in state history. Junior end Noah Spence was a force on defense, recording his 21st sack of the year. The early forecast is for mostly cloudy skies and temperatures in the 20s for Friday night's game at Hershey Park in Hershey, Pa.

Video of Bishop McDevitt vs. Gateway
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Mitch Stephens: Central Catholic 27, Bishop McDevitt 17
Steve Montoya: Central Catholic 10, Bishop McDevitt 7
Stephen Spiewak: Central Catholic 28, Bishop McDevitt 24
Kevin Askeland: Bishop McDevitt 27, Central Catholic 14
Jamie DeMoney: Central Catholic 35, Bishop McDevitt 14
MaxPreps Projection: Central Catholic 35, Bishop McDevitt 22
{PAGEBREAK}La Salle College (Wyndmoor, Pa.) vs. North Allegheny (Wexford, Pa.), Saturday
La Salle went down to the wire to defeat North Penn, 38-35, last week to earn the right to defend its 4A state championship this Saturday at Hershey Park. The Explorers got 142 rushing yards and three touchdowns from senior Jamal Abdur-rahman and a huge interception of a North Penn screen pass by lineman Ryan Geiger in the closing minutes of the game to clinch the win. It was the 24th win over a Pennsylvania opponent for La Salle, whose only loss this season was to Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.).



WPIAL 4A champion North Allegheny advanced to the state title game for the first time in 20 years. The Tigers (14-1) had little trouble dispatching Cumberland Valley (Mechanicsburg), 35-17, in the semifinals. Senior Alex Papson – a 2,000-yard rusher this season – is lost for the rest of the year with a dislocated collarbone. But senior Matt Steinbeck picked up the slack last week, running for 161 yards against Cumberland Valley.

Mitch Stephens: North Allegheny 17, La Salle 16
Steve Montoya: La Salle 30, North Allegheny 28
Stephen Spiewak: La Salle 31, North Allegheny 20
Kevin Askeland: La Salle 14, North Allegheny 12
Jamie DeMoney: La Salle 21, North Allegheny 7
MaxPreps Projection: La Salle 21, North Allegheny 20

MaxPreps contributor Jamie DeMoney has covered high school sports and recruiting for more than 15 years. He is editor and founder of PrepNation.com. You can reach him at PrepNation@aol.com.