MaxPreps Top 10 Football Games of the Week

The MaxPreps Top 10 Games of the Week includes a national Top-10 matchup in South Florida as well as
some key grudge matches between conference rivals.

Through a quarter or so of a season's worth of Top 10 Games of the Week, we've already previewed plenty of games between powerhouse programs from non-adjoining parts of the country. But none have matched the magnitude or the anticipation surrounding Friday's nationally televised clash of No. 5 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) hosting No. 10 De La Salle (Concord, Calif.). Aquinas has five games against non-Florida opponents since 2008 while DLS has struggled against out-of-state foes, losing three out of its last four.

Meanwhile, Ohio is the site of three of this week's Top 10 games. Moeller (Cincinnati) and St. Xavier (Cincinnati) meet in a Greater Catholic League opener while No. 12 St. Edward (Lakewood) and Elder (Cincinnati) are hosting games against defending state champions from the state of Florida.

Southern California powers meet up in a pair of interesting nonleague games. Long Beach Poly looks to break a two-game losing streak to Orange County power Mission Viejo, while St. Bonaventure (Ventura) takes on Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) in what could be a preview of the CIF-SS Northern Division championship game.

With an 8-2 week, Kevin Askeland extended his lead in our season-long prediction contest to three games over his nearest rival, Jamie DeMoney, who went 7-3 and is now 36-14 overall in his selections. Steve Montoya and Stephen Spiewak are tied for third place, six games behind Askeland. Mitch Stephens made up some ground on the field with a 7-3 effort last week, but remains eight games out of first place.



You can track our overall results and standings all season long by clicking here.

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

Begin slideshow{PAGEBREAK}No. 10 De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) at No. 5 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)

De La Salle has won the last two California Open Division state titles and owns seven national poll championships since 1994. The 2-0 Spartans are ranked No. 10 in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 and No. 5 in the MaxPreps Freeman Rankings. Led by junior running back Tiapepe Vitale's 114 rushing yards, De La Salle crushed St. Mary's (Stockton) 35-0 last week. It was a more convincing effort than its 26-23 double-overtime win over Bellarmine (San Jose) in the opener. Wisconsin-committed quarterback Bart Houston has struggled statistically in the early going, completing only 39 percent of his throws with three interceptions and only one touchdown.

St. Thomas Aquinas owns three of the last four Florida 5A state titles and won national poll titles in 2008 and 2010. The 2-0 Raiders rank No. 7 in the Freeman Rankings. They opened the season with a 34-31 win over nationally ranked Prattville (Ala.) then crushed state-ranked Cypress Bay (Weston), 42-0, on Sept. 9. Junior Fred Coppet ran for 111 yards and a score against Prattville and senior Dami Ayoola eclipsed the 100-yard mark with two touchdowns against Cypress Bay. St. Thomas Aquinas has outstanding defensive linemen, led by MaxPreps Top 100 prospect Jelani Hamilton (a Miami commit) and Bryan Cox. The Raiders' front seven should have an interesting matchup against De La Salle's running game driven by a relatively small group of linemen who rely on leverage and tremendous quickness off the ball.

Mitch Stephens: St. Thomas Aquinas 24, De La Salle 21
Steve Montoya: St. Thomas Aquinas 27, De La Salle 21
Stephen Spiewak: St. Thomas Aquinas 21, De La Salle 17
Kevin Askeland: De La Salle 35, St. Thomas Aquinas 34
Jamie DeMoney: St. Thomas Aquinas 27, De La Salle 13

Continue reading{PAGEBREAK}Colerain (Cincinnati) at Middletown (Ohio)



Colerain opened the year with a nationally televised win over Florida power Cocoa that ended the Tigers' 38-game winning streak. But the team was bit hard by the injury bug in subsequent weeks, losing standout junior running backs Chris Davis and quarterback L.A. Ramsby. Despite the misfortune, Colerain is 3-1 this season. Its only loss is a 17-14 heartbreaker to then-nationally ranked St. Xavier (Cincinnati). The Cardinals have won 70 of their last 71 Greater Miami Conference contests. The only loss was to Middletown in 2009.

Middletown improved to 4-0 on the season with an easy 46-13 win over Oak Hills (Cincinnati) last week. Jalin Marshall – one of the nation's most sought-after junior signal callers – had more than 200 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Marshall has run for nearly 600 yards on the season but could find the sledding much tougher against Colerain's stout run defense.

Mitch Stephens: Colerain 14, Middletown 13
Steve Montoya: Colerain 7, Middletown 3
Stephen Spiewak: Colerain 24, Middletown 17
Kevin Askeland: Colerain 14, Middletown 7
Jamie DeMoney: Middletown 26, Colerain 23

Continue reading{PAGEBREAK}St. Xavier (Cincinnati) at Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati)

St. Xavier fell out from both the national polls and the ranks of the unbeaten when it fought gamely but lost 17-7 last week to No. 3 Trinity (Louisville, Ky.). It was only the fifth loss in the last 24 games against out-of-state opponents for the Bombers. Senior running back Conor Hundley ran for only 51 yards against Trinity and was held out of the end zone for the first time this season. St. Xavier has lost two of its last three against Greater Catholic League rival Moeller, including a 17-7 defeat last season.

Moeller could be emerging from a crowded field of Cincinnati-area state title contenders as the team to beat. The Crusaders have barely been challenged in four wins this season, which all came against teams that had winning records last season. Standout receiver Monty Madaris had more than 200 receiving yards in last week's 27-10 win over St. Xavier (Louisville, Ky.).

Mitch Stephens: Moeller 17, St. Xavier 14
Steve Montoya: St. Xavier 17, Moeller 10
Stephen Spiewak: Moeller 17, St. Xavier 10
Kevin Askeland: St. Xavier 28, Moeller 14
Jamie DeMoney: Moeller 28, St. Xavier 17

Continue reading{PAGEBREAK}No. 4 Allen (Texas) at Plano (Texas)

Allen slipped one spot after having a bye last week. But the Eagles could certainly rise again with a win at undefeated Plano in the District 8-5A opener for both teams. Allen has won the past five meetings in this series by an average margin of 25 points. Quarterback Alec Morris, who is committed to Alabama, has completed more than 60 percent of his passes this season with 13 touchdowns and zero interceptions. The Eagles (3-0) have scored an average of 43 points per game.



Through three games, Plano is showing it might have the offensive firepower it would take to pull off an upset of Allen. The Wildcats are averaging 51 points and had 62 in the last game against Legacy (Mansfield). Junior quarterback Richard Lagow has thrown six touchdown passes with no interceptions.

Mitch Stephens: Allen 34, Plano 28
Steve Montoya: Allen 42, Plano 28
Stephen Spiewak: Allen 35, Plano 10
Kevin Askeland: Allen 40, Plano 21
Jamie DeMoney: Allen 38, Plano 17

Continue reading{PAGEBREAK}Bentonville (Ark.) at Fayetteville (Ark.)

Bentonville has won its last 16 games, including last year's 7A state championship against Fayetteville. The only team to really challenge the Tigers recently was Fayetteville in an earlier meeting won 38-34 by Bentonville a year ago this weekend. Last week, in a 36-0 shutout of Texas (Texarkana, Texas), senior quarterback Dallas Hardison had more than 200 yards passing and three touchdowns.

Fayetteville has lost four straight to Bentonville, with its last win over the Tigers occurring in the 2007 state semifinals on the way to a 7A championship. This year, Fayetteville is 3-0 and has averaged 49 points per game. Top-notch junior quarterback Austin Allen guides the Bulldogs' offensive attack.

Mitch Stephens: Fayetteville 31, Bentonville 28
Steve Montoya: Bentonville 35, Fayetteville 28
Stephen Spiewak: Bentonville 35, Fayetteville 14
Kevin Askeland: Bentonville 32, Fayetteville 14
Jamie DeMoney: Fayetteville 32, Bentonville 29

Continue reading {PAGEBREAK}Evangel Christian Academy (Shreveport, La.) at St. Thomas More (Lafayette, La.)

Evangel Christian endured a rare shutout at the hands of No. 23 Union (Tulsa, Okla.) in week 1 and then lost a 35-34 shootout to Lafayette (Oxford, Miss.) in week 2. The Eagles (1-2) picked up their first win last week, knocking off previously unbeaten Barbe (Lake Charles, La.), 31-16. Talented receiver Judah Jones caught five passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns. Evangel lost to St. Thomas More last year, then won its final 11 games and claimed the 2A state championship.

St. Thomas More won its first three games by a comfortable combined margin of 96-12. The Tigers returned district MVP running back Matthew Flores (1,382 combined rushing and receiving yards and 22 touchdowns) along with quarterback Brandon Bergeron (1,869 passing yards) from the team that won its first 13 games before losing in last year's 5A state semifinals.

Mitch Stephens: St. Thomas More 35, Evangel Christian 34
Steve Montoya: St. Thomas More 17, Evangel Christian 10
Stephen Spiewak: St. Thomas More 28, Evangel Christian 21
Kevin Askeland: St. Thomas More 28, Evangel Christian 14
Jamie DeMoney: St. Thomas More 35, Evangel Christian 24



Hard to replace Jermauria Rasco.

Continue reading {PAGEBREAK}Long Beach Poly (Calif.) at Mission Viejo (Calif.)

Poly looks to solidify its status as a favorite in the CIF-SS's stacked Pac-5 division this season. The Jackrabbits haven't won a section title since 2008 but are undefeated with wins over three quality opponents. Last week, they defeated Narbonne (Harbor City), 19-16, with a strong defensive effort that limited fine junior quarterback Troy Williams to just 109 passing yards and minus-5 rushing yards. Poly has lost two in a row against Mission Viejo, including a 37-7 wipeout on their home field last season.

Mission Viejo got back on track last week with a 47-21 win over La Quinta. It was much-needed salve for any physical and psychological wounds the Diablos incurred in a 35-7 blowout loss to national No. 1 Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) on Sept. 10. Subbing for injured running back Buzzy Yokoyama, junior Marcus Collins ran for 116 yards and two touchdowns on only nine carries against La Quinta. Mission Viejo hopes to extend its 25-game regular season winning streak against in-state competition.

Mitch Stephens: Mission Viejo 21, Long Beach Poly 20
Steve Montoya: Long Beach Poly 20, Mission Viejo 10
Stephen Spiewak: Mission Viejo 24, Long Beach Poly 21
Kevin Askeland: Long Beach Poly 28, Mission Viejo 21
Jamie DeMoney: Long Beach Poly 27, Mission Viejo 21

Continue reading {PAGEBREAK}St. Bonaventure (Ventura, Calif.) at Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.)

St. Bonaventure opened the season with a 29-27 win at then-nationally ranked Centennial (Corona). Last week, the competition level decreased but the Seraphs' intensity level seemingly did not in a 59-0 rout of Royal (Simi Valley). Senior quarterback Marc Evans had 330 yards passing and four touchdowns against Royal.

Oaks Christian began the year nationally ranked in the Xcellent 25 before losing to No. 20 Bellevue (Wash.), 31-21. The Lions bounced back with a 50-11 pasting of Agoura last week. Top recruit Ishmael Adams eclipsed 100 rushing yards and had two touchdowns. Oaks Christian won this matchup of Ventura County stalwarts last season by the score of 33-32 in overtime.

Mitch Stephens: Oaks Christian 28, St. Bonaventure 27
Steve Montoya: Oaks Christian 27, St. Bonaventure 20
Stephen Spiewak: St. Bonaventure 35, Oaks Christian 28
Kevin Askeland: St. Bonaventure 24, Oaks Christian 21
Jamie DeMoney: St. Bonaventure 28, Oaks Christian 20

Continue reading {PAGEBREAK}Central (Miami) at Elder (Cincinnati)

Central went 14-1 last season and captured the 6A state championship. A lot of the top players on that team graduated but a new crop of talent has emerged, including seven seniors who are committed to BCS-level colleges. One of the Rockets' top players is actually a sophomore, Joe Yearby. The explosive running back totaled more than 200 yards on the ground in Central's 20-0 shutout last week of Cocoa. This is the Rockets' fourth game in two seasons against out-of-state foes. They went 2-1 last season against non-Florida competition.

Elder started the season strong with impressive victories against Centerville and Lakota West (West Chester), but lost its next two games to nationally ranked opponents including a crushing 56-7 defeat to No. 3 Trinity (Louisville, Ky.) on Sept. 9. Last Saturday, the Panthers were outscored 17-0 in the second half during a 30-10 loss to No. 12 St. Edward (Lakewood). Elder is 5-2 against non-Ohio teams in the last four seasons, including a 35-24 loss to South Florida power St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) in 2008.



Mitch Stephens: Central 22, Elder 21
Steve Montoya: Central 28, Elder 17
Stephen Spiewak: Central 35, Elder 21
Kevin Askeland: Central 28, Elder 21
Jamie DeMoney: Elder 27, Central 24

Continue reading {PAGEBREAK}Jefferson (Tampa, Fla.) at No. 12 St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio)

Jefferson graduated a whopping 21 of 22 starters off last year's team that went 15-0, won the 3A championship, and set a state record with 746 points scored. In addition, the Dragons had to replace their coach after Mike Fenton stepped down. While first-year coach Jeremy Earle did not inherit much experience, his squad does have a lot of team speed, some good skill players, and one of Florida's top recruits in senior tight end/defensive Tyriq McCord (6-4, 225). The Dragons bounced back from a 38-18 loss in their opener to Robinson (Tampa) by slipping past Newsome (Lithia), 22-21, in their last game on Sept. 9. McCord caught the game-winning touchdown pass with less than a minute to play.

St. Edward is building momentum as it enters the toughest portion of its schedule. The Eagles shut out Elder (Cincinnati) in the second half of a 30-10 victory last Saturday. Running behind St. Ed's massive offensive line that features four BCS-caliber recruits, junior Dwayne Aaron gained more than 200 yards on the ground against Elder. It was the 19th consecutive win for Ohio's reigning Division I state champion. The Eagles are 16-1 against non-Ohio teams since 2004, including a 14-7 win against Florida's Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) in 2006.

Mitch Stephens: St. Edward 28, Jefferson 21
Steve Montoya: St. Edward 21, Jefferson 7
Stephen Spiewak: St. Edward 38, Jefferson 17
Kevin Askeland: St. Edward 16, Jefferson 14
Jamie DeMoney: St. Edward 31, Jefferson 7

Jamie DeMoney is National Content Manager for XOS Digital PlayerOnDemand. He has covered high school sports and recruiting for more than 15 years.

See St. Edward in action earlier this season.